With Haunted Remains Pt. 2, Bite The Boxer delivers a masterclass in dark wave and IDM-infused industrial sound design. The Dorset-based producer, known offstage as Matt Park, continues to carve out a unique sonic identity, one that thrives in the space between chaos and catharsis. This new full-length album brings together previously released singles such as YoY, Rituals, and Venom Test alongside several new compositions, forming a cohesive yet unpredictable journey through bleak emotional landscapes illuminated by fleeting glimmers of hope.
From the very first moments, the album asserts itself as a high-quality, intricately produced release — one that perfectly encapsulates Bite The Boxer’s ability to merge texture, rhythm, and atmosphere into something both cinematic and deeply human. Park’s influences stretch far beyond electronic subgenres: the aggression of punk, the expansiveness of post-rock, and the precision of IDM all find their place within Haunted Remains Pt. 2. What emerges is not a simple collection of tracks, but a narrative — one that evokes the tension and melancholy of a post-apocalyptic world where beauty still survives amidst the ruins.
The rhythmic foundation of the album is a defining feature. On tracks like Rituals, the beat structure alternates between mechanical precision and organic unpredictability, reflecting the emotional volatility that drives Park’s compositions. The percussion often feels sculpted rather than programmed — each hit and texture carefully designed to interact with the synth layers in unexpected ways. In Venom Test, the rhythm becomes almost industrial in its density, propelling the track forward with a tense, metallic pulse. Yet, even in its heaviest moments, there’s a deliberate sense of restraint. Park never overwhelms the listener; he guides them through carefully measured dynamics that allow each sound to breathe and resonate.
The synth work across Haunted Remains Pt. 2 is equally compelling. Park’s approach is rooted in experimentation — twisting and distorting traditional sounds until they transcend familiarity. Pianos become distorted drones, choirs dissolve into static, and basslines morph into waves of dissonance. His exploration of extremes, as he himself describes, gives the album its emotional range. On YoY, shimmering melodic fragments emerge from dense textures like rays of light breaking through smoke. Elsewhere, ambient passages hover between serenity and unease, a sonic metaphor for the coexistence of despair and resilience that defines the record’s tone.
What ties these disparate elements together is atmosphere — the unspoken language through which Bite The Boxer communicates his world. There is an unmistakable cinematic quality in the way Park layers his sounds, evoking images of desolate cityscapes and abandoned spaces. The music recalls the emotional weight of dystopian films and horror video games, where isolation and fragility coexist. Yet, amid the darkness, there’s always a trace of hope — a melody, a chord, or a soft reverb tail that reminds the listener of humanity’s persistence even when everything else falls apart.
The cohesion of Haunted Remains Pt. 2 lies not in uniformity but in its ability to balance contrast. It is at once harsh and delicate, mechanical and soulful. Tracks flow seamlessly, forming an emotional continuum rather than a sequence of isolated pieces. The album’s pacing allows the listener to fully immerse themselves, to drift through moments of tension and release, noise and silence. It’s the sound of an artist completely in control of his craft — aware of the emotional power of restraint and the impact of well-placed intensity.
Ultimately, Haunted Remains Pt. 2 solidifies Bite The Boxer as one of the most intriguing and forward-thinking producers in the current dark electronic landscape. The album’s sound design is meticulous, its rhythms complex, and its atmosphere hauntingly beautiful. Park has succeeded in creating music that is both cerebral and visceral — an experience that engages the mind as much as it stirs the emotions.
This is a release of remarkable depth and quality, one that we are genuinely pleased to host on our webzine. Haunted Remains Pt. 2 is not just a record to be listened to; it’s a world to inhabit — a testament to the enduring power of sound to convey what words cannot.