Sigma Octantis – Dissipations CD

Malignant Antibody

Malignant Antibody is a sub-label of Malignant Records but I’m not really sure what style of music this sub-label is focusing on. As I look at the discography I see R/A/A/N and Skincage either of which I cannot seem to recall what they sound like – and Skincage in particular just gets mixed up with all of those other skin-themed bands like Skin Crime, Skin Area, and Skin Graft. What I can tell you is that Sigma Octantis creates music that combines several different styles into a kind of mournful post-rock post-industrial dirge.

The listener is immediately presented with an interwoven tapestry of persistent percussion, floating guitars that lie somewhere between post rock and post punk – something about this makes me think of Bauhaus without the dramatics. Fantômes Infinitésimaux is one of the standout tracks here with it’s catchy melody line and thoughtful harmonies. The rhythm is very consistent and the tempo doesn’t really break until the third track Errance Définitive. Finally they let up and let some ambient air into the mix which is by this point is a much needed variation because although this is “soft” and “musical” it is still quite unrelenting in it’s formulaic approach – and that is one of the few criticisms I have for the album.

Most of the other tracks just keep reminding me what has come before and reiterating that mood and similar themes. It’s not until the next more sparse ambient track Parle Moi, Il Fait Si Soir where I get sucked in again. Sigma Octantis really excels when they break things down and become more minimal which tends to bring out more of their industrial and ritualistic elements. The only other artist I can really think this sounds similar to is The Shalabi Effect because Sigma Octantis also have a bit of an ethnic edge.

I’ve listened to this album a lot in the last few days really trying to wrap my head around it. After this evaluation I can say I really enjoy it and will from time to time find myself in a certain contemplative mood when I will want to listen to this. If Sigma Octantis breaks down their formula and focuses on adding more variety and dynamics I can see them becoming a force to be reckoned with. On the flip side the consistency in atmosphere might be just the thing I need. Either way good work and definitely something different coming out of the Malignant camp. Broadening horizons.

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