Vatican Shadow | Persian Pillars Of The Gasoline Era Review

Vatican Shadow is one of the many aliases of American experimental musician, poet, and multimedia artist Dominick Fernow. Through Vatican Shadow, Fenow creates music that combines rhythmic industrial, ambient, and soundscapes. His inspiration comes from war, terror, media manipulation, and anxiety disorder. One of the most prolific underground artists of the 21st century, Fernow is now releasing a new six-song album called Persian Pillars Of The Gasoline Era. Fernow’s underground sub-cultures mindset and following find Vatican Shadow now aligned with 20 Buck Spin for the first time. The six tracks are inspired by recent Middle Eastern geopolitics and very much built in the image of latter period Bryn Jones aka Muslimgauze productions, but more than sufficiently distinguished by his transfixing arrangements.

“Rehearsing For The Attack” is centered around a hypnotic drum groove. Fernow’s drum programming is organic, flowing, and builds the mood of the song. The synths create a swirling sound color that floats over the syncopated drum patterns. The throbbing bass dances with the steppers drum style in a manner that keeps the attention and gives a music feeling that will have an emotional impact.

“Taxi Journey Through The Teeming Slums Of Tehran” has a ferocity in the driving rhythmic layers that assault the senses. The drum sounds are full, and Fernow’s use of layering is notable. The synth’s only make cameo appearances as this title is focused on the rhythm and the hypnotic drums textures.

Persian Pillars Of The Gasoline Era is a deep and hypnotic musical experience. Justin Broadrick (Godflesh, Jesu, JK Flesh, etc.) did the detailed mastering, adding the mysterious clarity of sounds, fullness, and attention to sonic detail that allows Fernow’s musical vision to shimmer. Vatican Shadow again inspires with fantastic drum programming and a keen social consciousness.

Vatican Shadow: Website