A New Analog Synthesizer Soundtrack for Fritz Lang’s Metropolis #MusicMonday
Metropolis is one of the greatest films of all time. As a pioneering science fiction story, a fierce attack on class structure, and an astonishing display of early special effects, it’s one of those movies that must be seen to be believed. Now a duo has brought the rich depth of analog synthesizers to bring something new to the score. Here’s more from Tomer Baruch & Alex Brajkovic:
One of the most significant themes in the dystopian feature is the blurred-to-nonexistent line separating man and machine; Human-like machines, Mechanical-humans, real-life android deepfakes, and above all the city of Metropolis, an enormous machine and within it men, slaved to maintain its operation. The theme that was disturbing in the beginning of the 20th century is as relevant as ever with the latest developments in AI, forcing us to rethink again what makes us human.
In analogy to that the soundtrack is based on archive recordings of early 20th century machinery, on top of which Tomer Baruch and Alex Brajkovic play analog synthesizers and drums. They interface with the machines and embody a relentlessly repetitive mechanical motion, one which is usually sequenced or programmed. By creating music which is in itself blurring the line between man and machine, by subjecting themselves to machine-like patterns, the musicians become a part of Metropolis, creating a disillusioned, intensified and darker than ever soundtrack for the film.
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