Dälek

Deadverse Massive, Vol. 1

Dälek Rarities 1999-2006

(Hydra Head)

Record Review by Sean P. Lambert

Sans the umlaut, a Dalek is an outer space mutant from the British sci-fi television show Dr. Who that rides in an overgrown salt and pepper shaker-shaped tank, dispensing evil wherever it goes. Dälek as music-makers, however, are out to counter any of the ill-intentioned entities they come across, mixing seemingly divergent ambient noise with hip hop beats, further ballasted by candid lyrics atop unexpected vocal interludes. Even when they’re not contributing words, the alt-mixing on cuts like “Music for ASM” or the closing “Back to Burn” sustain interest over even the most extended jams, creating vast soundscapes that ebb and flow from start to finish. Dälek wobbles and dances on that wide line that attempts to divide experimental arty fare from surefire underground rap goodness, drawing on whatever influences they want, using their homegrown skills to make it all work in the end. It may take a sophisticated ear and an open mind to appreciate the full range of their output, but several listens to this compilation when you’ve got the proper participants on should set you straight.