Shards of Pol-Pottery cover

Shards of Pol-Pottery

Alec Empire · 2001

65 min · 12 tracks · techno · ambient · digital hardcore

An experimental blend of techno and digital hardcore, layered with intense soundscapes and contrasting vocal styles.

Why this album works

The album is notable for its innovative approach to electronic music, pushing boundaries within the genre. It received attention for its experimental nature and reflected the chaotic political landscape of the early 2000s, resonating with listeners through its title's reference to a Cambodian dictator, thereby intertwining music with social commentary.
Best for
dynamic exploration of soundscapes wave-like pacing with intensity contrasting vocal styles throughout
Context
By the time 'Shards of Pol-Pottery' was released in 2001, Alec Empire had already established himself as a prominent figure in the digital hardcore scene with earlier works like 'Generation Star Wars' from 1996. This album marked his continued exploration of merging aggressive electronic music with avant-garde influences, showcasing his evolution as an artist after the influential group Atari Teenage Riot's peak in the late '90s.
Stylistic neighbors
Hanin Elias· Atari Teenage Riot· Balzac

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Shards of Pol Pottery (Hard mix) Standout 5:11
  • 2 Shards of Pol Pottery (A Cappella) 4:53
  • 3 Shards of Pol Pottery (Hard Beats) 4:40
  • 4 Shards of Pol Pottery (Hard Beats & Voice) 5:17
  • 5 Shards of Pol Pottery (Hard instrumental) 3:50
  • 6 Shards of Pol Pottery (String mix) Standout 7:01
  • 7 Shards of Pol Pottery (String mix instrumental) 7:15
  • 8 Shards of Pol Pottery (String Beats) 4:32
  • 9 Shards of Pol Pottery (String Beats & Vocals) 5:46
  • 10 Shards of Pol Pottery (No Wave mix) Standout 4:44
  • 11 Shards of Pol Pottery (Generation Star Wars mix) 4:51
  • 12 Shards of Pol Pottery (Black Moon mix) 7:20

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata