- Inspired by immigration issues, the Ugandan-UK collaboration's second album is as fiery as ever, incorporating elements of metal into their percussive workouts.
- Nihiloxica's journey has been both patient and unsettled. Back in 2017, they started out as a band of nine—two musicians from the UK and seven percussionists from Uganda's Nilotica Drum Ensemble. Together they released their self-titled debut on Nyege Nyege Tapes laying down the fundamentals of their sound: trance-inducing Ugandan drumming complemented by UK techno's darker palette. Two years later, there were six of them left and they put out their debut LP, Kaloli, playing with a couple more dubby interludes than before ("190819" & "160819") and a brighter finish ("Salongo"). Now down to five, they've added a welcome dash of heavy metal and a greater emphasis on synths which makes for their most experimental and contrary album to date: Source Of Denial.
The title is inspired by the many reasons why the UK might deny someone entry into the country—something that has had a very real impact on Niholixica and their progress. In 2022, their UK tour was cancelled due to visa issues, thanks to a certain visa outsourcing service who, although aren't explicitly named anywhere on the album, are heavily implicated. "Welcome to TLS, here for all your unwanted logistical needs," goes the chirpy automated voice on "Exhaust/Outsourced." Contrast that smarmy bot to the threatening one from "Interrogation/Welcome" that goes, "Have you ever been involved in or been suspected of involvement in crimes against humanity or genocide?" and you've got a form of border control that treats non-UK nationals like convicts.
Because of this, the record's a cauldron of unnerving and frustrating moods. "Baganda"'s synths are tense, scaling jaggedly over a brooding, sawtooth bass guitar. "Trip Chug"'s muted synths lurch forward insidiously but never quite break out. The odd one out seems to be the reverb-drenched percussion on "Postloya"—it's more suited to a sound bath—but its dubbed-out effects and plodding beat evokes the same sort of limbo as waiting for your visa might do. In this way, the group explore a range of emotions around the difficulties of international travel, and not simply anger.
But it's the angrier tracks that are the most striking. The bristling acid synths that snake through tumbling drum patterns on "Asidi" bring to mind the sweaty and visceral music of Giant Swan. Nihiloxica have never let synths take centre stage like this before. Nor have they ever made them sound like the shredded guitars of a death metal band like they have on the title track, thundering down and leaving only pockets of space for the drums to fit in their lighter, more intricate textures. Up until now the Ugandan drums have dominated much of Nihiloxica's music, while the techno side of things has felt its way round them. It's more of an even split on Source Of Denial which shows a level of trust and understanding amongst the group that has defied significant setbacks and still managed to find new ways to grow.
Tracklist01. Kudistro
02. Exhaust / Outsourced
03. Olutobazzi
04. Asidi
05. Interrogation / Welcome
06. Source Of Denial
07. Preloya
08. Postloya
09. Trip Chug
10. Baganga
11. Tuuka / Bulungi