Like rocks hurtling through space, R-13‘s unique sound is born of various substances colliding before spiralling off into the abyss as something entirely new. An abstract coming together of freeform experimentation, harsh noise and extreme metal, the duo’s sound is thrillingly overwhelming, with a boundless scope for intensity that helps them portray their music’s vast sci-fi narratives.
The duo’s debut record Chronicle told the story of an ongoing battle between humanity and an unstoppable extraterrestrial force, told through the recovered diaries of those on the losing side. The story then continued on the more noise-focused Space Opera, but is set to become a trilogy with the addition of new record ANSIA, the band’s biggest and boldest release to date. For sheer ambition, none can match R-13 – they even released a psychedelic 56-minute film called A.I., which depicted the demise of a lost and dying spaceship’s A.I. and was soundtracked by improvised songs recorded live.
This ambitious two-man operation deserves your attention, and if you’re new to the band, ANSIA is the perfect starting point. The record drops this coming Friday on Trepanation Recordings, but you can hear it in its entirety now exclusively right here. Dive in and discover whether the humans left fighting for survival can make it out alive:
ANSIA is out 24th April through Trepanation Recordings. Order here.
Words: George Parr