TRANSMISSION #002: Twin Rattler

Lan (Slayxdoll) interviews Twin Rattler (Dan), represented by the german based music label SkyQode, which focuses on dark electronic music.

[Slayxdoll //]
Prior to us connecting directly, I didn't know that you also had another music project, where you go by Deflexity. I understand that the genres of your two projects are different, but both occupy a unique corner of the dark, industrial, electronic space. What are the main philosophical differences between how you approach your two alias, beyond just conventions of genre? (Which you playfully break often anyway, and to great effect, I might add.)

[Twin Rattler]
Deflexity and Twin Rattler are about different matters: the first is about the spiritual and metaphysical, the second is about the materialistic and even cybernetic. Deflexity focuses on instincts, allegorical nature, obscure energy, whereas Twin Rattler is down to Earth and tells (or even screams) about emotions, rebellion and living in flesh in the times of this modern cybernetic world.

[Slayxdoll //]
As a follow-up question to that, considering that Deflexity is about the spiritual and metaphysical, whereas Twin Rattler is about the Materialistic and Cybernetic, what is one track from each of your aliases that you feel best represents the philosophy behind it?

[Twin Rattler]
Sure! So, with Deflexity, I'd say 'Glowing Cold' from my Spectres album. It has this feeling of being absorbed by ghostly entities. And I absolutely recommend you listen to Spectres, which was released this year, if you want to check out something new of mine! I think you'll enjoy it. As for Twin Rattler, 'Face to Face', from my Defiance album. By the way, both of those albums were released with the help of my label, SkyQode. They've been helping me with my promotions and social media. Thank you for your hard work, SkyQode!

[Slayxdoll //]
So, we need to talk about your vocals. It's rare indeed when a dark electronic producer can also produce authentic metal screams and growls like you can. In our chat prior to this interview, we did go over a bit of your history, that you've done vocals in death metal and thrash metal projects, you've done industrial rock projects, etc. Do you remember when you started making more electronic types of music, and did you immediately apply your vocal abilities to your tracks, or was that an evolution that you eased into over the years?

[Twin Rattler //]
I've always loved the electronic parts in metal music, that's why Fear Factory and Chimaira were my favourites for a long time. Electronics were always something "magical" to me. Since the time when I left behind my death/thrash metal projects, where I performed vocals and played the keyboard, I decided to try something new. First it was pretty amateur and straightforward dark electro, and after years of evolving my sound, I've reached the music I'm creating nowadays. Concerning my extreme vocals: I'm lucky, as I've been able to do it properly since I was a child. Although I believe every human can perform proper extreme vocals, but you do need to find "a sweet spot" where your "output signal" is perfect and you're not hurting yourself. Welp, as it happens, I've been able to do this since a very young age.

[Slayxdoll //]
What is the musical project or track that you've had the most fun, or felt the most fulfilled by, either in the process of making it, or upon listening to the finished product?

[Twin Rattler //]
I can't single out a specific song, but I can say for sure that I love the progression and evolution of my sound that's been happening in the last several months. Sometimes in the past, I felt there was something lacking in my sound, but I believe it was more about something missing in my previous mixing and mastering stage. As of now, I'd say I'm pretty fine with the songs I'm creating lately. In fact, personally, the vibes I'm getting from my current music are pretty awesome!

[Slayxdoll //]
My favourite track of yours, one that I played for 3 or 4 hours on repeat the first time I heard it, is 'Artificial Hearts Division (No Pain Version)'. Can you walk us through a bit of your methodology when creating a track like that?

[Twin Rattler //]
Historically, I love re-creating my own songs. I just love making remixes or "vocal versions" of my previously released tracks. 'Artificial Hearts Division (No Pain Version)' is a rework of the original track 'Artificial Hearts Division': I added more energy and vocals to the new version. Plus, it's about applying my new mixing and mastering techniques. So there it is, a brand new track which is loved by the audience!

[Slayxdoll //]
When you approach a new track, do you already have a clear vision of what you want to create, and focus just on executing on it? Or is it more like a vague idea, and you're experimenting throughout in order to feel out its true form? I liken it to the process of oil painting a portrait versus chiseling a statue out of stone.

[Twin Rattler //]
I guess more like the second one, like chiseling a statue. Sometimes, tracks are born from nowhere while jamming or improvising in a DAW. But other times an idea, or something from cinema, art or other inspirations push me to create something — like when you're impressed by a movie and want to create something about it, whether it's a soundtrack or visual art/graphics.

[Slayxdoll //]
I'd like to really get into your head for a moment, because I'm so fascinated by how well you can blend various disparate genres. Have you always had a knack for thinking outside of the box like this, even beyond musical projects? Is there a message you're trying to express by creating tracks the way you do, and breaking outside of genre conventions in such a manner?

[Twin Rattler //]
First of all, the act of being an artist is in of itself already an "art". It demands that you think outside of the box, similar to life itself actually. Balancing day jobs, various responsibilities, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and doing art are all pushing you to set your own rules and initiate whatever maneuvers you can to make it all work. For my musical/artistic projects, I think I just do what I want to do, in the exact way I want it to. The message I want to tell everyone is just be yourself, relax, breathe, and enjoy your life. Thus, all the pieces will fit together and take you in the right direction.

[Slayxdoll //]
Your new single 'Seduction (Sinful Version)' is releasing today. Did your approach to this single look different to any of your prior projects? What's an interesting detail about the process you took in creating this track that we might not have picked up on if it weren't for you telling us here?

[Twin Rattler //]
Regarding the release of 'Seduction (Sinful Version)', this is going to be similar to 'Artificial Hearts Division (No Pain Version)' in that it's a remake of a previous, purely instrumental track of mine, with the new addition of my vocals. Additionally, it is also the first track created in my new studio, equipped with new hardware and my improved, modern mixing and mastering techniques. In a literary sense, the poem of this song (i.e. its meaning) have several key themes (and yes, even when presenting a singular song, I pour several meanings into it for others to interpret). And as the saying goes those with ears should be able to see the whole picture.