An On Bast @ Szczecin Recordings

The Szczecin Recordings set by An On Bast began with a low hum, a subtle pulse that gradually built, weaving in intricate layers of synth textures. It felt like a slow descent into a dense, atmospheric soundscape. The crowd, initially murmuring amongst themselves, began to focus, drawn in by the hypnotic rhythm. A deep, resonant bassline slowly emerged, providing a solid foundation for the cascading melodies that followed. The energy remained relatively subdued, more introspective than overtly energetic, for the first half hour or so. There was a palpable sense of anticipation.

Then, the pace shifted. A track with a more driving beat appeared, a noticeable change that rippled through the audience. Bodies began to sway, heads nodded in unison, a collective response to the shift in energy. This track, possibly "Ephemeral Echoes" or a similar title from their darker, more rhythmic works, had a hypnotic quality, with layered vocal samples creating a sense of unease and exhilaration simultaneously. An On Bast seemed to feed off the growing energy; the mixing became more dynamic, with sudden drops and rises in volume that kept the crowd captivated.

As the set progressed, the tracks became increasingly complex, weaving together elements of ambient, techno, and experimental sounds. There were moments of intense, almost overwhelming sound design, punctuated by brief, ethereal interludes that offered moments of respite. The crowd became fully immersed, a sea of movement and engaged faces responding to every shift in the music. One standout moment was a track featuring a captivating, distorted melody that twisted and turned, evolving organically before resolving in a crescendo of sound. It felt genuinely improvisational, allowing An On Bast's virtuosity to shine.

The energy reached its peak during the final third, culminating in a powerful, driving sequence. The bass throbbed, synths soared, and the crowd was fully ecstatic. A final track, perhaps something from their more recent, intensely rhythmic work, served as a triumphant farewell, leaving the audience buzzing with the lingering effects of the sonic journey. The set concluded not with a sudden stop, but a slow, deliberate fade, leaving a lingering impression of depth and complexity that echoed long after the music ended.