Shapednoise's 'Deafening Chaos Serenity' Merges Chaos and Serenity

Italian producer Shapednoise (Nino Pedone) released the album 'Deafening Chaos Serenity' in November 2017 on Type Recordings. The accompanying 'Serenity Manifesto,' written by Francesco Birsa Alessandri with contributions from Rabit, argues that order, not chaos, is the source of violence and inequality. The manifesto draws on Heinz Rudolf Pagels' 'The Dreams of Reason' to propose a reconciliation between chaos and serenity. Shapednoise uses noise as an expressive tool for chaos, stating that his music, though difficult to decipher, finds coherence internally. The album features contributions from Rabit and Roly Porter and marks a shift from his previous visceral work 'Different Selves' toward a more abstract, ambient sound. Cinematic influences include science fiction (notably William Gibson's trilogy inspiring 'The Sprawl' project with Mumbdance and Logos) and composers Mica Levi, Scott Walker, and Johan Johansson. The surreal video by London studio Werkflow, created using game engines, alternates textures and natural landscapes. Shapednoise incorporates field recordings from a Croatian island with ancient stone architecture, processed with modular synths, and a performance by Emanuele Porcinai on a custom string instrument.