Joseph Shabason is back with a captivating project that's set to redefine our perception of skateboarding culture and music. His latest release, "Welcome To Hell," is an exploration of ambient electronic sounds that pays homage to the influential 1996 skate video from Toy Machine. Released by Western Vinyl, this album is a remarkable blend of indie electronic and ambient music, demonstrating Shabason's versatility as an artist.
The album's title track, "Welcome To Hell," leans into Shabason's ambient electronic style, with a calming vocal harmony that hovers gracefully above the video's iconic "bail section." It's a testament to Shabason's ability to weave together elements of music and visuals, creating an immersive sonic experience that complements the skateboarding footage.
For Joseph Shabason, skateboarding and music share a common thread of improvisation and creative expression. He sees skateboarding as a form of improvisational art, much like jazz, where skaters communicate through their movements, just as musicians do through their instruments. This connection led him to ponder the question, "What does hell sound like?" It's a fascinating concept that underscores the album's thematic exploration.
In this project, Shabason takes on the challenge of re-scoring "Welcome To Hell," a video that originally featured a high-energy soundtrack with songs from bands like The Misfits, Black Sabbath, and Sonic Youth. Joseph's reinterpretation softens and re-contextualizes these tracks, creating a unique and energizing musical experience. Throughout the album's ten songs, he skillfully manipulates angular and ambient sounds to synchronize with the on-screen action, altering the mood in subtle yet significant ways.
"Welcome To Hell" by Joseph Shabason is not just a music album; it's a creative reinterpretation that breathes new life into a skateboarding classic. It's a testament to the enduring influence of art forms like skateboarding and music and how they continue to inspire and reinvent themselves across generations. So, whether you're a skateboarding enthusiast, a music lover, or simply someone looking for a fresh and innovative sonic experience, "Welcome To Hell" is a project that deserves your attention. Listen below.