dälek's music is dark, noisy and atmospheric, equally inspired by industrial music like Einstürzende Neubauten, the layered noise of My Bloody Valentine and the dense sound collages of Public Enemy. Their sound is often constructed through sampling and a musical base atypical of most hip-hop, making it difficult for people to classify their sound. They have been described as trip hop, glitch-hop, and metal-shoegaze-hip-hop, as well as criticized for their broad range of sound.
MC dälek described the group's music to the Chicago Sun-Times:
“It's purely hiphop, in the purest sense. If you listen to what hiphop has historically been, it was all about digging in different crates and finding different sounds, and finding different influences to create. If Afrika Bambaataa wasn't influenced by Kraftwerk, we wouldn't have 'Planet Rock'. So, in that sense, what we do is strictly hiphop.”
“If there is a difference, it's that the palette of sounds we work with is more varied than what has been called hiphop in the last 10 years. Somehow, as hiphop grew, it's been put into this box. I think it's funny when people are like "That's not hiphop. It's this and this and this." You can try to rationalize it as whatever you want to rationalize it as."
Studio albums:
• Negro Necro Nekros (1998)
• From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots (2002)
• Absence (2004)
• Abandoned Language (2007)
• Gutter Tactics (2009)
• Untitled (2010)
• Asphalt for Eden (2016)
• Endangered Philosophies (2017)
• Precipice (2022)
Collaborations, EPs and compilations:
• Megaton / Classic Homicide (2000) Split collaboration with Techno Animal.
• Ruin It (2002) In collaboration with Kid 606.
• Dälek vs. Velma (2002) Split collaboration with Velma.
• Derbe Respect, Alder (2004) In collaboration with Faust.
• Streets All Amped (2006)
• My Education vs. Dälek (2007) In collaboration with My Education.
• Deadverse Massive Vol. 1 (2007) Rarities 1999-2006.
• Griots and Gods - Les Eurockeennes Festival Belfort (2010) Live collaboration with The Young Gods.
Voices of the Ether
Dälek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You miss the entity of all I perform.
My mind so torn.
You miss the entity of all I perform.
My skin so scorned.
You miss the entity of all I perform.
Soul worn.
You miss the entity of all I perform.
You miss the entity of all I perform.
Skin scorned.
1. You miss the entity of all I perform, Fuck that norm, i spit on that behavior.
Savor you savior in suits made by tailors.
Folklore of unwound road
Where lies your rose?
Dead long side muse.
Face painted hues
Brushwork tickled my eyes...
I laugh as you lie as do I under sky.
Assume role of the unassuming
His walk so amusing
The stagger is looming.
My truth gets jangled in 'd' minor tuning.
Freestyle.
The opening lines of dälek's song Voices of the Ether express the feeling of weariness and frustration from being misunderstood. The repetition of "My soul so worn...My mind so torn...My skin so scorned" emphasizes the singer's exhaustion from constantly being judged and not appreciated for their true self. The repetition also creates a hypnotic and almost trance-like effect that sets the mood for the song.
The next lines challenge societal expectations and question the value of conformity. The phrase "Fuck that norm" highlights the singer's disdain for societal norms and rules that restrict individuality. The use of "savior in suits made by tailors" mocks the idea of success and importance based solely on appearance and wealth. The reference to "folklore of unwound road" suggests that the singer is on a path less traveled and more difficult, but also more authentic. The question "Where lies your rose?" implies that the singer's journey is not easy but also not without its beauty.
The final lines are more abstract and symbolic. The reference to "face painted hues" introduces the idea of illusion and deceit. The singer laughs "as you lie as do I under sky" suggesting that both the singer and the listener are victims of deception in some way. The line "My truth gets jangled in 'd' minor tuning" is a reference to the musical key that is often associated with melancholy and sadness. It implies that the singer's truth is not always easy to hear, but is still valuable.
Line by Line Meaning
My soul so worn.
I am emotionally exhausted and drained.
You miss the entity of all I perform.
You don't see the true essence and meaning of what I do.
My mind so torn.
My thoughts and mental state are in turmoil and distress.
My skin so scorned.
My physical appearance and experiences have been harshly judged and rejected.
Soul worn.
My emotional state is still depleted and exhausted.
Mind torn.
My thoughts and emotions are still in a state of turmoil.
Skin scorned.
My physical appearance and experiences are still harshly judged and rejected.
You miss the entity of all I perform, Fuck that norm, i spit on that behavior.
You don't understand or appreciate my work, and I reject the societal norms that perpetuate this behavior.
Savor you savior in suits made by tailors.
You put your trust in those who appear powerful and affluent, despite their lack of true merit or worthiness.
Folklore of unwound road
There are many stories and legends about a path that is difficult to navigate or unravel.
Where lies your rose?
What is the source of your beauty or positivity amidst all the adversity and turmoil?
Dead long side muse.
Creativity and inspiration can be found even in death and darkest moments.
Face painted hues
People hide behind masks and pretenses to conceal their true emotions and intentions.
Brushwork tickled my eyes...
I find beauty and inspiration in artistic expression and creativity.
I laugh as you lie as do I under sky.
I find irony and humor in the falsehoods and pretensions of others, just as I may also engage in self-deception or delusion.
Assume role of the unassuming
One must take on a humble and unpretentious role to truly understand and appreciate the world around them.
His walk so amusing
I find entertainment and humor in the idiosyncrasies and quirks of others.
The stagger is looming.
There may be impending turmoil or consequences due to one's actions or decisions.
My truth gets jangled in 'd' minor tuning.
Even my personal truths and beliefs can be shaken or distorted by external circumstances or influences.
Contributed by Adalyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.