STRIDULUM is a musical project based in Upper Silesia, Southern Poland formed in 2019. The duo, consisting of Marita Volodina (voice/words) and Arkadiy Berg (all instruments), plays dark and cold electronic wave music – melancholic and minimalistic but never monotonous. In contrast to the musical coldness stand the highly emotive and expressive vocals of Volodina, revolving around themes of despair, desire, loss and transformation. In reversing the opposites of minimal music and emotionally multi-layered vocals lies the project’s peculiarity. STRIDULUM is able to create songs that are sad but powerful, pensive but angry, fragile but full of strength, danceable but moody, accessible but deep. A first taste of STRIDULUM’s songs was debut EP “Burial” released in April 2020 via Bat-Cave Productions. Exploring the beauty in pain and the pain in beauty, bringing together the Alpha and Omega – this alleged dichotomy reflects the musical and lyrical work of STRIDULUM: the delicate complexity of the emotional realm, from which the debut EP Burial springs from.
“Soothing Tales of Escapism”, STRIDULUM’s first full-length album was the next step on the way of discovering new areas of dark wave and dark electronics. The album, containing 10 songs, was released in December 2021 via Manic Depression Records and has earned many positive reviews. Dark, cold, but emotional and powerful at the same time. Paradigm is a new chapter in the history of STRIDULUM. Duo, guided by many various inspirations, created an album that still fits perfectly into the dark wave niche, and yet has a huge radio potential. Insanely catchy, diverse songs make the reception of the album an extraordinary, emotional experience. Layers of synthesizers from Arkadiy’s fingers seem to flow between musical conventions, drawing handfuls from many genres. Volodina’s vocals, stronger than ever, take the listener to the darkest and most beautiful corners of the soul. “Paradigm” is an album that will leave you with a pleasant feeling of desolation. Released by Manic Depression Records. Electronica/Minimal Synth/Dark Wave in the veins of artists like Linea Aspera, Hante., Minuit Machine, Selofan, Kaelan Mikla, Boy Harsher… but with an emotional and melodic twist.
