he didnt – Loop Ritual (2023)
Described as “…an unyielding exploration of repetition and loops” (IDIOTEQ) and finding the “…oscillation between light and dark” (Music For All), the singer-songwriter he didnt offers listeners a surreal, enigmatic and intoxicating sound. After spending a “lost decade in London in other guises”, he didnt has supported artists like Pale Horse, Caretaker and Silent Front. Yet, it was the move to Oxfordshire that brought more light, fewer noises and fewer smells to he didnt’s senses. Come with us as we delve into his new EP, Loop Ritual.
Following his 2022 EP Detour, earth, he didnt blends elements of hard rock, industrial metal, post-punk and heavy metal in the three-track EP, Loop Ritual. Recorded with Mike Bannard at Safe House Studios in Oxford, with mastering by Alain Paul Mastering in Germany, Loop Ritual is an eclectic navigation of the lines between classic rock and metal. Building an ethereal ambience, listeners are led into a haunting, dark sonic forest; however, an optimistic blur of light also emerges from Loop Ritual with blinding elegance.
This is my introduction to he didnt, so I was unsure of what to expect. The truth is, I hardly considered music so emotive, profound and enchanting. The opening track ‘Heavy Elevation’ is an industrial droning of hard-hitting guitars and pounding drums. The repetition of the melody sweeps through your mind capturing you with its intensity. Quickly offset by the track ‘Loop Ritual’, he didnt brings a nostalgic classic rock flair to the strong metal melody. Deep, gruff and gritty, ‘Loop Ritual’ reaches into your soul and tears you apart with chaotic creativity. Finally, ‘Open Dust’ is a guitar-driven rock melody to set you off on a sonic river with an intimate, vulnerable mist of music.
Oddly enough, when listening to Loop Ritual, I felt a strong similarity to the soundtrack of Jesus Christ Superstar – or rather the emotion it evokes with the hard-hitting rock tones. I can see or rather hear ‘Open Dust Loop’ as the soundtrack to a heart-breaking, profound and poignant film drawing out the significance of the theme with its intriguing melody.
For more about he didnt, check out his Bandcamp and Twitter.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
