Centaur [KHAS004] by Khas
With Crush Depth, I dive into a world shaped by the atmospheres of Half-Life, channeling its sense of isolation and pressure into sound. The track unfolds through deep, lush textures, with drones and immersive soundscapes that feel submerged in a vast unknown. Sonar-like bleeps cut through the murk and create a dialogue between darkness and orientation. It is my most experimental piece on the album.
ID30 moves at a slower and more grounded pace, built as a drum-focused tool that unfolds with steady intent. Hints of tribal vocal chants hover at the edges and bring a human warmth beneath its mechanical surface. The mix is intentionally crisp, allowing each transient to breathe with precision. A deep kick anchors the track, and its sub frequencies rumble just beneath the skin.
In Tango, two FM basslines intertwine and push against each other like partners locked in an intimate dance. Their movement is kept in check by a dry and snappy hi-hat that slices cleanly through the dialogue. During the breaks, my signature reverbed hi-hat swells step forward and expand the space, resetting the tension.
Dubbelganger carries a sharper and more direct energy, with hi-hats that cut through the mix with a precise metallic edge. The main delayed stabs form a melodic backbone and echo just long enough to give the track a jungly and forward-leaning momentum.
In Centaur, a deep rolling bassline forms the foundation and shifts constantly without losing stride. A persistent ping drenched in reverb marks time like a distant beacon, while an evolving hypnotic synth bass winds through the low end. Bleepy stabs spark across the surface and build tension that culminates in a break designed for maximum release.
Zeefgebouw is a personal tribute to the building where I first encountered techno and the raw awe that moment created for me. The sound palette is darker and more industrial, echoing the architecture and atmosphere of that space. Looped mechanical rhythms reinforce a sense of machinery in motion, while a distorted arpeggiated motif threads through the noise. This track is my way of returning to that origin point.
Tracklist
| 1. | Crush Depth | 6:21 |
| 2. | ID30 | 4:55 |
| 3. | Tango | 4:46 |
| 4. | Dubbelganger | 5:10 |
| 5. | Centaur | 5:37 |
| 6. | Zeefgebouw | 5:31 |
Credits
Artwork: Das Schweigen by Georg Einbeck, 1898
