Shortwave Spectrum (CSR332CD), by Sonologyst

Shortwave Spectrum (CSR332CD)

by Sonologyst

supported by

	/

Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Matt-finish gatefold ecopak with graphic design by Abby Helasdottir.

Includes unlimited streaming of Shortwave Spectrum (CSR332CD) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 7 days

Purchasable with gift card

£13.49 GBP or more
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£9.99 GBP or more

1.	Sleeper Agent 04:46 video		buy track
2.	Numbers Station 04:35		buy track
3.	NNN German 07:45		buy track
4.	Enigma G03 04:31		buy track
5.	Encoded 14:05		buy track
6.	Spektrvm 13:47		buy track
7.	Shortwaves 41:51	info

about

The new Sonologyst "sonic documentary" delves into the secretive realm of shortwave transmissions; a chronicle of clandestine shortwave transmissions culled from a span of nearly four decades (1982-2021). These mysterious transmissions - repetitive voices, signals, sound pulses, short pieces of music - were collated and edited to compose the tracks of the main album.

Immersed in an isolating fog of dark ambient, deep drone music and cinematic sound art, it provides an auditory exploration of the ongoing Cold War. Originating from covert radio stations engaged in military and espionage endeavours, the tracks unveil a hidden sonic landscape of strategic communication.

The second disc, in its extensive presentation, provides a deeper immersion into these enigmatic broadcasts. Each recording remains unaltered, accompanied only by a ghostly drone. It offers an unfiltered glimpse into the world of clandestine communication, where words are transmitted beneath the radar and in the shadowy confines of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Double CD in a matt-finish gatefold ecopak with graphic design by Abby Helasdottir.

Watch album teaser (YouTube) by Abby Helasdottir: bit.ly/SonologystShortwaveSpectrum

NUMBER STATIONS:

The so-called Number Stations are short-wave radio transmissions, broadcast at various hours of the day, and with variable durations, available on many frequencies and observed and studied for decades by radio amateurs from all over the world. These mysterious transmissions, consisting of voices reading groups of numbers or letters in the international phonetic alphabet, or of Morse code signals or sound pulses, are often preceded by transmission start "alerts" consisting of short pieces of music, sequences of letters or scales of notes, cyclically repeated at set times.

Several studies, conducted by telecommunications experts, have concluded that these transmissions were, and still are, used by numerous secret services to transmit short text messages to their undercover agents, operating in other countries. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, these transmissions suffered a significant decrease, but in recent years other broadcasts have followed the raising of respective new global geopolitical players, and Chinese, Korean and Indian Numbers Stations have been picked up.

Shortwave is cheap, reliable, and, unlike web communications, cannot be intercepted or blocked except in the event of a nuclear explosion. The ideal secret communication system in times of new cold war.

credits

released November 24, 2023

Sound, sampling, processing and mastering by Sonologyst.
Equipment: analogue synthesizers, shortwaves radio receiver, analogue tape recorders.
Mastered by Sonologyst.
Graphic design by Abby Helasdottir.

Reviews:

"The musical aspects are highly oscillatory yet low-key, often providing a hazy and mysterious atmosphere. Sculpted static, loops, and effects accompany subtle synth drones. The emphasis here is on the manipulation of sounds rather than the sounds themselves, giving these pieces a dark acousmatic nature... monolithic slabs of noise [with] notable fluctuations and changes throughout in addition to the radio-based chirps and clicks... Deep listening recommended" (Avant Music News)

license

about

Cold Spring England, UK

We are a UK-based record label / mailorder store / distributor, specialising in all forms of esoteric / industrial music, but particularly: Industrial, Dark Ambient, Black Ambient, Japanese Noise, Neoclassical, Dark Folk, Orchestral, Power Electronics, Noise, Drone, Doom, Death Industrial, Dark Soundtracks and Experimental music. ... more

contact / help

Contact Cold Spring

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Shortwave Spectrum (CSR332CD), you may also like:

Districts, Roads, Open Space
by Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan

supported by 16 fans who also own “Shortwave Spectrum (CSR332CD)”

This is up there with Pye Corner Audio and The Advisory Circle. Excellent stuff. Andy Ralph
go to album
The Nation's Most Central Location.
by Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan

supported by 14 fans who also own “Shortwave Spectrum (CSR332CD)”

This is very close to what I heard/felt everytime we visited the grandparents in Runcorn. Ominous dread. Bleak dystopia. Concrete and terraced houses. Plus the air smells! MonkeyMajiks
go to album
Stratigraphy
by Llyn Y Cwn

supported by 13 fans who also own “Shortwave Spectrum (CSR332CD)”

Atmospheric drones, perfect for starting up and then forgetting as they work their subconscious power, until the light drum track and a sort of metallic castanetty sort of sound kick in on “Lithologic Stratification” and the dramatic mode really begins. Ron Hogan
go to album
Offline Listening
by Paul Jordan

In the music of Paul Jordan, digitally manipulated field recordings become striking electronic songs that feel eerie and surreal. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 7, 2020
go to album
The Round Table
by The Allegorist

The Allegorist reworks her stunning LP from February of this year with help from KMRU, Max Dahlhaus, and more. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 12, 2022
go to album
DRANG
by STROMBOLI

Noise maestro Stromboli creates haunting industrial atmospheres with a visceral feel. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 26, 2023
go to album
People and Industry
by Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan

supported by 12 fans who also own “Shortwave Spectrum (CSR332CD)”

Great record. wears it's influences proudly ..but retains a sliver of identity that is uniquely British and has a northern feel to it..I think that these geographic musical vignettes are realy evocotive of northern Newtown Uber estates and satellite communities..I hope this translates to a wider audience for him...he deserves the attention. give him his due .NOW . christopherogley
go to album