Words by David C. Obenour
Response from the entity known as Xenoglyph, translated from Gliese {☌⌰⟟⟒⋉⟒}
Returning back from the void, the entity known as Xenoglyph has manifested its second album of mind-altering black metal for humanity’s consumption. Spiritfraud is the culmination of further refined studio explorations in the damning evolution of technology and psychedelic prophecies. Classical training and structure creates a cinematic feel to the songs, as we sonically witness humanity’s downfall at the working of its own creation. Drums pummel, guitars propel, and manipulations and distortion warp all senses to reflect reality’s dark mirror.
For these transmissions, Xenoglyph works in tandem as a duo and have responded in a similar collective voice.
Off Shelf: You have an incredibly massive sound for a duo, can you talk about how you go about building the sonic structure of your songs?
Xenoglyph: Building sonic soundscapes can be approached in a multitude of ways, but for us, begins in a singular fashion. In our case, originating with a chord progression and building harmonic layers from there – which either represent the original thought, or progress into an alternate, possibly more dominating melody or theme. That melodic theme then becomes the focal point to progress the music, just like classical works are structured. Lately we’ve been playing even more classical strings to further construct the soundscape(s) by adding real violin, viola, and cello, among a multitude of new and exciting phantasm (virtual) instruments. Through the power of recording science, we are an orchestra {⍜⍀☍⟒⋉⏁⍀⏃}
OS: Taking that out to live performances, how is your method of performing different from what you do from the studio?
X: Currently Xenoglyph is a studio only project, however that could change with the impending evolution of cloning/gene replication technologies on Planet Earth.
OS: As listeners, there’s a connection we’ve made with psychedelic music and the sorts of narratives that fit it. In the case of the music you make, how do you think the tone adheres or stretches your expression?
X: The term psychedelic {⌿⋉⊬☊⊑⟒⎅⟒⌰⟟☍} can refer to a multitude of things but ultimately to us, it refers to a state of mind, or the effect(s) of an outside element on the mind. Music can be as much of a drug as a narcotic in the sense that it has an ability to take the mind elsewhere in a trance like state – it can allow visions, different ways of thinking, time travel, changes of emotional states. Creating music that can bend the mind as an audio illusion is definitely a primary objective of Xenoglyph.
OS: What psychedelic art do you consume? How do you think its expressions add to your own experience?
X: Earth lifeforms are very into consumption! From what we have seen so far, our favorite Earth artists are those that can create optical illusion and bend the mind – MC Esher, Salvador Dali, Zdzisław Beksiński, Oleg Shuplyak, Damien Gilley, and the like.
OS: Spiritfraud is your second album, can you talk about how you wanted to advance the narrative of your work?
X: The second release of a project is usually the point where you have figured out what you are trying to accomplish and kind of how to go about it in a more tangible way. The first release is always a trial of sorts to see exactly what you are trying to go for. Spiritfraud is a more refined version of this audio illusion soundscape essence that we set forth to create in Xenoglyph. We have been meditating on the moods put forth, looking forward to the enchantment of creating Xenoglyph III in the coming months.
OS: In the press release, you talk about how technology looks to advance their evolution through stealing human dreams. What key do you think lies there?
X: Advanced machinery will come to know that human consciousness is the only thing they lack, which will allow them to finally come up with original ideas. The last puzzle piece to the inevitable robotic dominance that awaits this planet.
OS: You have a very forward looking outlook on technology and humanity’s evolving relationship with it. How have you seen that progress within your own lifetime?
X: Current lifeforms on earth (perhaps the last generation to utilize books?) are existing directly in the middle of the largest technological takeover that this planet has ever seen, and unfortunately, a happening that we’re all too familiar with. After the tech-takeover of GJ357D, all entities were subjected to carry out all the duties that robots were originally designed to do. We were among the many who were sentenced to servitude of F.A.W.N. (FREQUENCY AUDIO WIRETAP NETWORK) by the android ruling class – ROBOS. Despite the benefits of technology, such as home recording & ease of communication, there is definitely a dark side of what it can be used for.
OS: Do you see that narrative as set and inevitable or is there any element of warning you hope to convey through your music?
X: Yes and no. Uplifting darkness – the music is a warning but also oddly optimistic maybe there is a chance if the human conscience is made aware of the takeover.
OS: How does that outlook relate to releasing Spiritfraud on the more analog format of vinyl?
X: Vinyl and books are a rebellion against technology. Tangible pieces of art. Fungible Tokens.
OS: What’s next for Xenoglyph? How will you continue to evolve and further explore?
X: We have many galaxies to explore and illusions to create. The Journey into album III has already begun…
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