Review: Tacet Tacet Tacet ‘Fickle’
Francesco Zedde, better known by his evocative moniker Tacet Tacet Tacet (from the Latin Silent Silent Silent) is an elektro experimental, multi-instrumentalist artist hailing from the quaint town of Jesi in Italy’s Marche region, now residing in the vibrant city of Utrecht, Netherlands. His musical trip is a multicoloured arras woven with threads of unrestrained creativity, defying simple categorisation and inviting the listener to embark on a mind-bending journey through uncomplicated sonic territories.

From his early days in the mid-2000s to the present, Zedde has carved out a singular path as an experimental musician, fearlessly pushing boundaries and shattering conventions with each of his projects. His solo endeavours are complemented by collaborations with an eclectic array of artists, most notably Mark Stewart of the seminal post-punk band The Pop Group, resulting in a dizzying fusion of genres and influences.
Two of Zedde‘s previous projects, Tonto and Lampredonto (the latter a collaboration with Florentine drummer Simone Vassallo), stand as testament to his uncompromising vision, conjuring up a maelstrom of techno-punk fury, visceral noise and hardcore intensity reminiscent of the trailblazing musicians associated with the iconic label Digital Hardcore Recordings, such as Alec Empire (DHR boss) and Atari Teenage Riot.
Even amidst this cacophonous onslaught, Zedde‘s music transcends mere genre trappings, embarking on a ceaseless quest for sonic innovation that knows no bounds, fearlessly venturing into uncharted realms of experimentalism with an insatiable curiosity and an unyielding commitment to pushing the very limits of what is possible within the realm of sound. With an extensive discography spanning over thirty records, it’s abundantly clear that this artist possesses an inexhaustible wellspring of musical ideas and inspiration.
Rather than depleting his creative reserves, each new composition and production only seems to further fuel his artistic drive, propelling him to explore ever more inventive sonic territories. Immersing oneself in his music is akin to embarking on a journey deep into the labyrinthine recesses of his fertile imagination, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into the inner workings of his ceaselessly active musician’s mind.
As listeners, we are granted the privilege of witnessing the very moment of creation – that sacred instant when abstract concepts and unformed impulses coalesce into vibrant, fully realised pieces. There’s an almost voyeuristic thrill to experiencing his art as if we’re somehow trespassing on hallowed ground, desecrating the sacrosanct privacy of his musical process. And yet, the artist invites us in, allowing us to share the rapturous joy of unbridled self-expression and revel in the kaleidoscopic fruits of his tireless sonic explorations.
an album that feels both intimate and expansive, conjuring vivid imagery and stirring poignant emotions as it unfurls its captivating sonic narrative…
The music emanating from Zedde‘s side projects marks a striking departure from his output as Tacet Tacet Tacet, a project that has yielded three captivating albums since 2015, culminating in his latest offering, Fickle. This is the fruit of a rich and inspired collaboration between Zedde and Piedmont renowned composer and sound artist Jacopo Mittino, who records electronic hardcore music under the moniker 52 Hearts Whale.
The two artists came together to craft a sonic journey interweaving their distinct yet complimentary music visions, sculpting lush and immersive soundscapes. This new sonic direction is utterly intoxicating, conjuring a sound that ascends beyond the ethereal realms of kosmische musik, cinematic soundscapes, ambient textures, avant-garde experimentation and musique concrète, while still retaining traces of the electronic elements that defined his earlier works.
Within the grooves of Fickle, one can discern fleeting moments that evoke the undulating musical tides of Boards of Canada, or the more electronically unhinged explorations of Aphex Twin, Squarepusher and Plastikman. Casting his gaze further back in time, you can perceive influence of Stockhausen that intermittently shine through, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the seminal experiments of Faust.
Musically, he fearlessly pushes beyond the unconventional boundaries traversed by the likes of Throbbing Gristle’s Chris Carter or Chris Corsano (Sunburned Hand of the Man, Six Organs of Admittance). The six mesmerising tracks comprising Fickle envelop the listener in a chillingly cinematic auditory experience, replete with breathtaking, incisive sounds that possess the power to shatter the comforting warmth of one’s most intimate inner thoughts, as exemplified in Welter.
Elsewhere, on tracks like Recurrence, one finds oneself plunged into the abyssal depths of a world where the ingenious interplay of dark, glacial and hallucinatory sounds induces a disorienting surrender to unbidden thoughts as if teetering on the brink of being consumed by a vortex manipulated by portents of ill omen. Yet, even amidst this maelstrom of influences, through their synergistic partnership, Zedde and Mittino have birthed a work that transcends genre boundaries, flowing seamlessly between neo-classical, ambient, and electronic music.
His sonic odyssey invites the listener to abandon preconceptions and surrender to the thrill of the unknown, as each new project unveils fresh vistas of aural innovation, cementing Francesco Zedde‘s status as a true pioneer in the ever-evolving landscape of avant-garde sound art. The result is an album that feels both intimate and expansive, conjuring vivid imagery and stirring poignant emotions as it unfurls its captivating sonic narrative.
Label: Attenuation Circuit | Bloody Sound | Gross Diskos | Light Item | Slowth Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo