It has been a very long while (2017?) since I've heard from Artyom of Kryptogen Rundfunk, an artist formerly based in St. Petersburg, Russia, now based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I managed to contact Aryyom, and he did tell me that Putin's war with Ukraine did force him to flee Russia and also caused the demise of his Zhelezobeton label which is a real shame because there was nothing quite like it. Many cool, dark releases came out of it. KR's soundscapes were always interesting, and 'To Dream is To Destroy' is his fourth album released under that name. It is six track in about 43 minutes, full of weird trademark radio noises and interceptions, heavy bass drones and piercing high frequencies, abstract electronic signals and quirky samples.

The first, "The Dream of Bonfatsy" begins with a celeste-like repeating progression and light drone and other sounds that become increasingly heavier and stranger over time, but not too heavy. Yes, it is sort of dreamy, and also rather low key for drone music. With a bellish beginning, "Hypnotoad on Air" (I'm assuming Artyom watches Futurama...the new season is off to a great start) moves into heavier drone terrain with some modified radio signals/samples sounding like an alien broadcast. Can you ever have "Too Much Understanding" ? Apparently Kryptogen Rundfunk thinks so. Let this track slice through your brain like a laser. "Higher Frequencies" features lots of vintage oscillator sweeps and a base of drone-stew. Speaking of base, or bass, you'll find some of that speaker rattling heaviness on "Extremely Likeable Music." Whether you find it extremely likeable or not may depend on how sturdy your sound system is. Not recommended for phones or buds at loud volumes. You'll have to listen to the end to find out where the title came from. "Quadrangular Vortex" might be right out of the physics of the Cthulhu Mythos. Far more oppressive than anything that preceded it, this malevolent mind massage just keeps on jolting you with dark energy until it blows you through a black hole into an alternate universe. WOW!

Kryptogen Rundfunk is back with a vengeance, baby! If 'To Dream is To Destroy' then KR's "dreams" will slay you. Limited edition on the CD and cassette, unlimited on digital. Highly recommended!