Tech Riders is a collaboration between Norwegian artist Sindre Bjerga (Norway) and everyone’s favorite Dutchman, Frans de Waard. This tape came out of recording sessions during a 2019 residency at the Worm studio in Rotterdam. I was familiar with both of these artists’ work, so I was interested to hear what the sum of their parts would turn into. Let’s dive into eternity and see what it sounds like.

“Centre of Eternity” kicks it off with electronics and what sounds like water running into a metal sink. Was it any surprise that we would head right into field recording and musique concrete territory? “From Her to Eternity” is a staticy, grinding, and hissing track with some bass tones; this kind of reminds me of some of TAGC's work. “The First The Last Eternity” is the longest track, with warbling noises over snippets of voice, tape hiss, line noise, and animal noises. This is what the aliens are listening to when they intercept our radio signals.

We flip the tape over and we are met with “There is No Choice in Eternity.” I’m not sure how to describe it, but a lot of things happening here. Heavy reverb and manipulated voice with the ever-present hiss and shortwave squalls. For me, this was the standout track on the tape. “Eternal Flame” is a track of heavy drone with a simple melody running under it that reminded me of Arcane Device. “From Eternity With Love” closes it off with more electronics and rumbling which gives way to a thudding beat and sawtooth drone. Not really my cup of tea though.

There is a remarkable sense of continuity here that keeps everything moving and engaging. Overall, this is interesting and a fun ride, as expected of these heavyweights. Well worth checking out for fans of either (or both) of these artists.