- Like most engrossing art, Dominick Fernow's Vatican Shadow project poses more questions than it answers. Once described as "music for assassins on the world-scale board game upon which it isn't clear who is winning or what side you are on," Fernow has referenced Hillary Clinton, David Koresh and the Flight 93 hijacker Ziad Jarrah in its track titles and artwork, but has stopped short of asserting a political stance. Through Vatican Shadow, Fernow has focused on techno. He's released on Modern Love and Blackest Ever Black, and while much of his techno is rudimental, it's usually evocative.
Rubbish Of The Floodwaters, the first release from his unlikely alliance with Ostgut Ton, strips away the amateur production touches of past Vatican Shadow releases while maintaining the project's somber tone. The opening track, "They Deserve Death," is a lush Cocteau Twins-esque bath that bears the touch of its co-producer, Josh Eustis of Telefon Tel Aviv and Tropic Of Cancer. Fernow follows with two brooding, expertly produced techno tracks. "Rubbish Of The Floodwaters" retains the hushed, funereal mood of his best work, only now the buzzing drones and searchlight synths rest on clear, nuanced drums. The widescreen closer, "Weapons Inspection," uses a TB-303 glide against brooding chords, landing close to John Tejada and Tin Man's recent collaborative work. For Fernow, the end of the world doesn't come with a bang, but a whimper.
TracklistA1 They Deserve Death
A2 Rubbish Of The Floodwaters
B1 Weapons Inspection