Chainsaw by Q-Burns Abstract Message

A dark, foreboding stillness, thick fog through the treetops, a mysterious cabin in the woods, and an ominous force within. This imagery obliquely provided inspiration to Q-Burns Abstract Message for "Chainsaw." The title refers to a climactic scene in an infamous American low-budget horror movie. Incidentally, it might also reference how Q-BAM almost took a chainsaw to his studio equipment while creating this track. The Analog Version was meant to be recorded almost entirely with vintage hardware but as the session commenced the Juno-106 started sputtering, the tape on the Chorus Echo snapped, the circuits on the ASR-10 gave off an odor like burnt candle wax, and so on.

Circumventing such ghosts in the machinery, this version of "Chainsaw" ends up a rambunctious house builder complete with filtered beats, a pounding bassline, squelchy guitar hits, and a buzzing chainsaw synth melody. Like many Q-Burns Abstract Message tracks "Chainsaw" sits firmly between several house music micro-genres while affirming the frenzied accident of its creation.

Q-Burns Abstract Message follows this with two radically self-remixed versions. The first, a Loose Version, attempts to take the American fright flick impetus and move it to a more Italian, Argento-inspired location. The tempo is reduced to a lurching slink and some analog remnants are applied, including juicy spring reverb bass stabs. Haunted pianos and spooky synth strings abound. Next, Q-BAM's Balearic Version attempts a resolution; the ending credits theme, perhaps. Here a breezy and vibrant Spanish-guitar led rendition closes out the EP on an uplifting note.

Suddenly, a pair of remixers were selected who were thought to be in tune with "Chainsaw"'s off-kilter motif. The Italian duo Ajello burst forth with a synth-powered disco revelation that takes the sinister overtone and boldly throws it towards the dancefloor. São Paulo's rising house music talent Jota Wagner also tackles the theme with a funky confidence. His steadily evolving remix piles on layers of melody and rhythm, at one point giving way to a demonic cackle. Mysterious business throughout.

Tracklist

1.	Chainsaw (Loose Version)	6:44

2.	Chainsaw (Ajello Remix)	7:08

3.	Chainsaw (Analog Version)	9:02

4.	Chainsaw (Jota Wagner Remix)	8:14

5.	Chainsaw (Balearic Version)	4:39

Credits

released April 13, 2010

Published by EightDee Industries (BMI)
Originally released on EIGHT-TRACKS

License

CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. See the Creative Commons website for details.