Photograph by Andy Julia
Synthwave, with out query, is vastly indebted to the work of director and earlier Kill Display participant character John Carpenter. What began out as a small group of musicians within the sights and sounds of ’80s films, particularly flicks like Halloween and Escape From New York, has exploded in reputation over the previous decade, even permeating into the acute music underground. Whereas movie is a vital aspect for the main gamers on this subgenre largely because of 2011’s massively profitable Drive, it’s 2012’s shock indie gaming hit Hotline Miami and its 2015 sequel that uncovered a complete class of synthwave artists to the world. Each soundtracks function wall-to-wall bangers, however standouts in every OSTs will be attributed to at the moment’s visitor of ours James Kent, higher often called Perturbator. A lifelong gamer along with a devotee of latest wave, his compositions had been an ideal match for Denntaon Video games’ drug-fueled pixelated massacre.
Ten years have handed because the last entry within the Hotline Miami collection, however Perturbator continues to be a celebrated determine in digital scene. Now signed to steel bastion Nuclear Blast Information, Kent is on the verge of releasing his sixth album, Age of Aquarius. Appearances from members of Ulver, Writer & Punisher and Alcest assist additional cement his presence in excessive music, showcasing a gentle development from his neon nights within the mid-2010s. Although his signature sound might have developed, the one-man machine nonetheless counts himself a gamer to the top, completely satisfied to debate the titles he enjoys in his more and more dwindling free time. As we look forward to the daybreak of a brand new age within the Perturbator camp, Decibel’s resident co-nerds caught up with Kent to speak all issues digital. And don’t fear about it—it’s on the home.
Age of Aquarius is out there October 5, 2025 on Nuclear Blast Information and will be pre-ordered right here.
Observe Perturbator on Bandcamp, Instagram, Fb and Twitter.
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