Mephisto Waltz - Ersatz Chapel
The leader of noise in the underground scene finally made his debut record on December 11th, 2021, after years of releasing exceptional harsh-noise tracks on Soundcloud under the name Mephisto Waltz. The EP was well worth the wait.
As with most noise, Ersatz Chapel is an unsettling piece. The album opens with a mostly baron, ominous soundscape. Thankfully, this is done purposely to lure the listener in before overwhelming them with abrasive chaos. Once the noise kicks in, it’s completely overwhelming and undeniably alluring. Eventually there’s relief amidst an almost-aquatic and claustrophobic wall of noise, followed by another sharp, pulsating barrage of delirium. The track slowly devolves, retaining its maniacal characteristics.
Ersatz Chapel is less about the key moments, and more about the overall experience. The album is both suffocating, yet simultaneously transcending. While the composition is great, it’s not something the scene hasn’t seen before; Mephisto should take more risks in future in order to stand out. For now, his style and proficient mixing/mastering are enough to carry his name. Here’s hoping the wait till his next album will not be as long.
Really Good
Listen to it here:
Mephisto Waltz - Ersatz Chapel
