by CHAKACON

Hello, Twist Top readers. Chakaconner here. I’m currently in the passenger seat of the Snoop-mobile (patent pending) as Happy drives us through northern Texas on route 66. We’re en route to Phoenix/Las Vegas for some shows. We’re having a great time and I hope that you, the reader, are also having a great time.

Happy has graciously asked me to prepare some words about what I believe to be one of the greatest modern experimental/noise acts out there: Blank (motherfuckin’) Hellscape. Based in Austin, TX, this three piece tour de force has succeeded in blowing all of our (Snooper’s) minds. We were blessed to share a bill with BH back in March, and it brings me great pleasure to say that we will be reuniting for three shows in Austin, San Antonio, and Denton later this summer on our US run. Praise be.

It’s been a long time since I’ve witnessed a live set that essentially resets the bar for me. That is what Blank Hellscape did in March. I think what I said to member Ethan Billips after the set sums it up best: it’s Blank Hellscape versus everything else.

Billips, along with Andrew Nogay and Max Deems, are capable of crafting textures that seem to burrow into your ears and take residency in your brain. Their 2023 “non-LP,” I’ll Live Until It Ends, is exhibit A of this fact. Blistering noise, sporadic 808 hits, Andrew’s visceral vocals… all combine into a perfect stew of fucked-up-ness. BH claims they went insane when creating this 52 minute “album,” and you very well may go insane when listening to it. Check it out, and if you dig it, follow it up with their Tiger Style EP. More of what you’ve come to hope for from the group, with the addition of chopped up break beats that will push your perception of rhythm to it’s limit.

Speaking personally, Blank Hellscape inspired me to remain uncompromised in my own artistic visions. Their live set pushed me to (finally) finish my most recent album, DOGS RUNNING FREE, due to the sheer force that they were capable of presenting. Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? It doesn’t matter. Billips, Deems, and Nogay are going to do what they do best. Blank Hellscape are worthy of your time and attention. Not only are they visionaries in their field, they’re three of the nicest people that I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with over art. See y’all in August. Hails!