The Synthetic Form, by Gridlock

The Synthetic Form

by Gridlock

supported by

evilhippo Synthetic Form is a true classic of the genre Favorite track: Frantic.

dæmon_ping Frantic life injected electronics in a desolate alien plane of nightmarish existence. Perfection Favorite track: Burn.

Robert Salcido Jr <SaLiMaNDiR> thumbnail

Robert Salcido Jr <SaLiMaNDiR> I lost my Pendragon CD of this on a flight back in 2001 or 2002. I couldn't find a replacement for it when looking. Fast-forward, a buttload of years, of course, and bought a copy off eBay! Shortly after, this LP showed up on Bandcamp. I'm still getting it because I'm greatly fond of this album and will be, forever. Condolences to MC and MW's family and friends. Favorite track: Frantic (Stark-Raving Mad).

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Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
UK
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DE
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NL
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AU
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Includes unlimited streaming of The Synthetic Form via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 16-bit/44.1kHz.

ships out within 1 day

edition of 250

Purchasable with gift card

$38 USD or more
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

Download available in 16-bit/44.1kHz.

$15 USD or more
Clear with black and bone splatter 2 X LP
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
UK
n5.md/01rts
n5.md/01junos

DE
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NL
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JP
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AU
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Includes unlimited streaming of The Synthetic Form via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 16-bit/44.1kHz.

Sold Out

1.	Frantic 03:57		buy track
2.	Halo (Rebirth) 03:18		buy track
3.	Suture III 02:01		buy track
4.	Sickness 04:53		buy track
5.	Suture V 00:53		buy track
6.	Pulvis Et Umbra Sumus 03:14		buy track
7.	Suture VII 00:53		buy track
8.	Retina 03:17		buy track
9.	Wound 05:16		buy track
10.	Suture X 01:17		buy track
11.	Burn 06:03		buy track
12.	Ich Dien 06:24		buy track
13.	Empty 02:51	info	buy track
14.	Only Living Witness 04:17		buy track
15.	Thin White Line 04:48		buy track
16.	Regret 05:51		buy track
17.	Halo 05:07		buy track
18.	III 04:07		buy track
19.	Burn (Mantra) 05:39		buy track
20.	Frantic (Stark-Raving Mad) 03:53		buy track

about

In the mid-90s, a resurgence in Electro-Industrial was firmly focoused on dance-floors. At this pivotal time, two San Francisco metal scene defectors, Mike Wells and Mike Cadoo, connected through a mutual friend. Bonding over their shared appreciation for non-metal influences, Wells, armed with a sampler and a couple of synths, had crafted a few tracks. Cadoo swiftly added vocals to these compositions, and thus, Gridlock was born.

With relentless dedication, the duo embarked on sculpting a grittier, more ominous variant of electro-industrial. Steering clear of the upbeat rhythms typical of the genre, they opted for a dystopian, dirge-like pace. Drawing inspiration from iconic acts like Skinny Puppy, Einsturzende Neubauten, and Fields of the Nephilim, they pieced together the Sickness demo. Eager to share their creation, they distributed the demo to anyone who would lend an ear, including those on the rec.music.industrial newsgroup. Despite numerous rejections from industrial music labels citing its lack of danceability, Pendragon Records saw potential and took a chance.

Thus commenced the earnest endeavor of crafting their debut album, "The Synthetic Form." Upon its release, it marked a pivotal moment in industrial music, ushering in a fusion of classic, experimental, and dystopian ambient elements. Pendragon Records tantalizingly teased the album as "Unleashing a World of Your Demons," offering a glimpse into its bleak exploration of themes like regret and personal turmoil.

Over the years, Gridlock evolved through three subsequent albums, progressively exploring diverse sonic territories beyond the confines of industrial music. However, their journey met an acrimonious end with the duo parting ways, leaving behind their albums as poignant relics, elusive on digital platforms and sought after by collectors at premium prices... until now.

In a heartfelt tribute to Mike Wells, who tragically passed away in 2022, Viasonde, with the blessing of the Wells family, embarks on a mission to reintroduce Gridlock to the world. The four main Gridlock albums will be reissued on vinyl for the first time, starting with "The Synthetic Form" double LP. Available on June 7th, this limited edition release will be featured on clear vinyl with black and bone splatter alongside standard black vinyl. Additionally, 50% of the proceeds from LP sales will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, honoring Wells' memory.

Vinyl tracklisting:

A01 Frantic
A02 Halo (Rebirth)
A03 Suture III
A04 Sickness
A05 Suture V
A06 Pulvis et Umbra Sumus

B01 Suture VII
B02 Retina
B03 Wound
B04 Suture X
B05 Burn

C01 Ich Dien
C02 Empty
C03 Only Living Witness
C04 Thin White Line

D01 Regret
D02 Halo
D03 III

credits

released June 7, 2024

All sounds & their execution by Gridlock
Cover photo “Regret” by Ross Amador.

Thanks to: B.Cochran, Colm, A. Johnston, R. Millhouse, sAge, JC,
K. Cadoo, Deftly-D, M.Metz, Y-Cart, C. Candelaria, B.Wise,
E. Agular, Empress, Jester, Thorsten, F. Roestel, A. Waggoner, Chase, Lucrecia, Brian, S.Herwig, Salt. With special thanks to the Wells Family and Ross Amador.

© Gridlock 1997 Ⓟ VIASONDE 2024
Published by n5Music (BMI)

Distribution NA: Revolver / ROW: SRD

This release is dedicated to the memory of Mike Wells.

50% of the proceeds from this release will go to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention @ afsp.org

If you or a loved one are in a crisis?
Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741

This is gridlock epilogue one...

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about

Viasonde Oakland, California

Dark music for dark hearts

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