Atonal Hymn For The Machines That Breathe - An Ethereal Journey Through Discordant Soundscapes

“Atonal Hymn For The Machines That Breathe”, a composition by the enigmatic experimental musician and sound artist Xylia Thorne, embarks on a sonic voyage through unconventional harmonies and unsettling textures, inviting listeners to confront the boundaries of traditional musicality.

Released in 2017 as part of her album “Concrete Dreamscapes,” this piece exemplifies Thorne’s fascination with industrial soundscapes and their potential for emotional resonance. Thorne, known for her groundbreaking use of found sounds and unconventional recording techniques, meticulously crafts an auditory experience that is both challenging and captivating.

The composition unfolds in three distinct movements:

• Movement I: “Gears Grinding”: This initial movement plunges the listener into a chaotic realm of metallic clangs, grinding gears, and distorted hums reminiscent of industrial machinery at its peak intensity. Thorne masterfully manipulates these raw sonic elements, layering them upon each other to create a dense and unsettling soundscape that evokes a sense of claustrophobia and unease.

• Movement II: “Spectral Whispers”: A stark contrast emerges in the second movement as the industrial clamor gradually fades, giving way to ethereal, almost ghostly whispers interwoven with high-pitched drones. These haunting vocalizations, processed beyond recognition, seem to emanate from a realm beyond human comprehension, suggesting a connection to some unseen force or entity.

• Movement III: “Echoes of Awakening”: The final movement witnesses a gradual reintroduction of industrial textures, but this time they are imbued with a sense of fragility and vulnerability. Sparse metallic pings intertwine with the ghostly whispers from the previous movement, creating an atmosphere of wistful reflection and nascent hope.

Throughout “Atonal Hymn For The Machines That Breathe”, Thorne employs a variety of techniques to manipulate sound:

Technique	Description
Tape Looping	Recording and looping segments of sound onto magnetic tape
Granular Synthesis	Processing sound by slicing it into tiny grains and rearranging them
Frequency Modulation	Altering the pitch and timbre of sounds through modulation
Convolution Reverb	Simulating acoustic spaces using impulse responses

These techniques contribute to the piece’s distinctive sonic character, blurring the lines between organic and synthetic sounds. Thorne’s approach draws inspiration from pioneers in experimental music such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and John Cage, who challenged conventional notions of harmony, melody, and rhythm.

Exploring Xylia Thorne’s Artistic Vision:

Xylia Thorne remains a figure shrouded in mystery, choosing to let her music speak for itself rather than engaging in self-promotion or interviews. Her biographical information is scarce, adding to the enigma surrounding her work. However, it is clear that Thorne’s artistic vision is deeply rooted in a fascination with the interplay between technology and humanity. Her music explores the unsettling beauty found in industrial soundscapes, inviting listeners to contemplate the impact of technological advancements on our lives and environment.

Thorne’s other notable works include:

• “Urban Nocturne”: A haunting piece that blends field recordings of cityscapes with distorted synth melodies, capturing the isolating yet mesmerizing atmosphere of nocturnal urban life.
• “Biomechanical Symphony”: A complex composition that incorporates biofeedback data into its sonic structure, blurring the boundaries between music and biology.

While Thorne’s music may not appeal to all listeners due to its unconventional nature, it undoubtedly pushes the boundaries of what is considered “music,” challenging our preconceived notions and prompting us to rethink our relationship with sound. “Atonal Hymn For The Machines That Breathe” serves as a testament to her artistic vision, inviting listeners on a sonic journey that is both unsettling and ultimately rewarding.

Beyond “Atonal Hymn For The Machines That Breathe”: Exploring the World of Experimental Music

For those intrigued by the sonic explorations found in Thorne’s work, the world of experimental music offers a vast and captivating landscape to explore. Some notable pioneers and subgenres within this realm include:

• Musique Concrète: Utilizing recorded sounds from everyday life as the primary compositional material, exemplified by Pierre Schaeffer and the Groupe de Recherche de Musique Concrète (GRMC).
• Electronic Music: Employing electronic instruments and sound manipulation techniques to create novel sonic textures, represented by pioneers like Karlheinz Stockhausen, who developed groundbreaking works using synthesizers and tape loops.
• Noise Music: Exploring the boundaries of sound with an emphasis on discordance, harsh textures, and unconventional instrumentation, championed by artists such as Merzbow and Whitehouse.

Delving into these various strands of experimental music can lead to unexpected discoveries and expand one’s understanding of what music can be. As Thorne’s “Atonal Hymn For The Machines That Breathe” demonstrates, there is a rich world beyond conventional harmonies and structures waiting to be explored by those willing to embrace the unfamiliar and challenge their own sonic expectations.