The RITA/OVMN

 

The RITA/OVMN – LP – Input Error – 2023 – IE-12.

https://input-error.co.uk/music

https://bakurita.blogspot.com/

https://therita.bandcamp.com/

https://www.discogs.com/artist/127868-OVMN

1.    The RITA  - Salmon Pink Crotch on the Chevelle SS Seat.

2.    OVMN – Head on Collision (Deadly Wreckage)

I am familiar with both artists on this split; I have reviewed the Rita a few times on here and recently bought OVMN’s Land of the Zombies release on Mother Savage Productions. OVMN is Joseph Roemer and Rodger Stella, they have been releasing since 1996 – both of whom also come from Macronympha and run Mother Savage Productions, no pressure here then. The RITA as you will all know is Sam McKinlay, so even more no pressure here then. A bit of Heavyweight reviewing going on here at 1208 North Fuller Avenue.

I was impressed that Input Error sent me this on vinyl, it was very clear to me that the label puts a lot of pride into their releases, judging by the quality of this and the Drug Age CD that I was sent, so maximum kudos to London’s Input Error.

Side One – The RITA’s track Salmon Pink Crotch on the Chevelle SS Seat uses a broken, crackle that abrasively drags along, it has a very real tension to its sound because of this. It drags at its own pace, constantly resisting itself, tearing and ripping on its own stutter. This also causes a slight bounciness to the sound as it jitters and moves around, giving it a slight playfulness. Towards the end the breaks in the static become more dominant, this signifies the sound is dying off, adding a strong compositional factor to the work. The title, when tied into the work makes you think of contact microphones attached between the Chevelle SS seat and the salmon pink crotch as it moves around during driving whilst sat down, is this symbolic of the friction of movements between crotch and seat? Also, with The RITA’s past work about Nylons, does nylon friction come into play? The title, cover art, other RITA obsessions really make the mind race as this work drags onwards. On the other hand, the choking, dragging sounds gives you a feel of imminent disaster or death, which leads us onto the next track.

Side Two - OVMN – Head on Collision (Deadly Wreckage.) OVMN stands for Optimum Volume Maximum Noise whom I have recently familiarised myself with and their Land of Zombies release. The sound of Head on Collision (Deadly Wreckage) has a deep bass roar in the background that is overlaid with a well textured crackle, it feels like an earthquake, cracking the earth’s crust like a biscuit. It feels like the ground disintegrating.  The speed of the sound from the back-roar makes it feel like an accelerating car, driving at a very high speed. The crackle feels like something slowly crushing under impact. Both elements are relentless so it feels like you are caught in a suspended state of acceleration and impact. The density of the sound seems to intensify gradually throughout the 18+ minutes, with the crackle getting more savoury and the bass roar really thickening up, both elements seem more combative towards each other more near the end of the track, they collide.

Conceptually this demonstrates true strength, as well as well thought out, mature, concisely executed work. Each track works with the title and artwork perfectly, it made me think and make associations between all the elements. Top work.

Army of One – focus, the war in the head is real, don’t be distracted. 2023.