Chris Wirsig - The 13 Crystal Skulls (Self-Released)

Los Angeles’s Chris Wirsig has a new solo album coming out May 13th, separate from his work with no:carrier, an acclaimed dark synthpop band that’s been around since the 90’s. Loosely based upon the legends and myths surrounding the titular crystal skulls, the record is a collection of thirteen instrumentals all designed to imitate the atmosphere of dreams and nightmares these myths are forged from. Although similar to his work with no:carrier, it is overall more abstract and ethereal than his other project.

The occasional track still exhibits the form and pop structure of no:carrier such as “Ghosts of the Aztecs,” but many more songs like “The Cave” dive into ambient industrial and noise territory. While film franchises like Indiana Jones have been less successful in translating the idea of the myths into art, Wirsig succeeds rather single-handedly.
Because the entire release is more expressionistic and touches less on specific, some say goofy, conspiracy theories, the mystery and terrifying possibilities surrounding the crystal skulls remain in tact. Like a darker, lost X-Files soundtrack, The 13 Crystal Skulls is an absolute must for any sci-fi or gothic synthpop fan.