Few artists have navigated the intersection of classical elegance and industrial grit quite like Minorarc. The latest release, Inclusions, is a nine-track odyssey that encapsulates decades of evolution—from early classical training and industrial influences to today’s dreamlike fusion of neoclassical instrumentation and modern metal. Released on September 1, 2023, Inclusions is not just an album; it’s an experience, a reflection of Ivan Bullock’s storied career and a testament to his ability to craft soundscapes that feel both intimate and immense.
Bullock’s journey began in Canberra, Australia, where he was steeped in classical training from childhood. His early years with piano and violin were abruptly halted by a neck injury, steering him away from performing and toward an insatiable hunger for discovering new sounds. Industrial, electronic, and metal music filled the void, shaping an artist whose creative voice would later emerge in unexpected ways. It wasn’t until his relocation to Tokyo in the late 1990s that his first solo project, Mystral Tide, was born. The intensity and isolation of Tokyo’s urban sprawl became a wellspring of inspiration, and with borrowed instruments and a growing arsenal of synths and guitars, Bullock forged a sonic identity that thrived on experimentation.
By the early 2000s, Mystral Tide had built a cult following, with hand-distributed CDs finding their way into the hands of listeners at Tokyo’s underground goth and industrial events. Tracks like Forged gained recognition, leading to performance opportunities in Japan and Europe, including a slot at Leipzig’s iconic Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival in 2002. His fusion of classical instrumentation and electronic synthesis was ahead of its time, but the project eventually faded as Bullock refocused his energy upon returning to Australia in 2003.
The Melbourne years saw him become a key figure in the underground music scene. He launched DEMUS (Dark Electronic Music Underground Society) and Darkstereo, platforms that championed independent artists and cultivated a community around experimental sounds. From 2005 to 2015, he orchestrated Enzyme, a series of events that showcased artists pushing sonic boundaries. This period of curation and collaboration expanded Bullock’s musical vocabulary, ultimately leading to the birth of Minorarc.
Unlike Mystral Tide, which leaned into industrial and darkwave aesthetics, Minorarc embraced heavier, more cinematic compositions. His 2010 self-titled debut and 2013’s Involution EP hinted at the grand, sweeping soundscapes that would define later works. By 2022, Untold solidified Minorarc’s sonic signature—a deeply textured fusion of neoclassical elements with metal’s percussive ferocity. It was a meditation on loss and decay, a theme that continued in the follow-up, Overburden.
This brings us to Inclusions, an album that feels like the culmination of everything Bullock has explored up to this point. It is rich with emotion and technical precision, a seamless blend of digital and organic elements that gives each track a distinct, immersive quality.
Opening with A Drizzle’s Vagrant, the album immediately sets a mood of quiet intensity. Pensive piano melodies unravel over a shifting backdrop of atmospheric textures, drawing the listener into a contemplative space before the storm arrives. Seven Times Burnt erupts with distorted guitars and intricate rhythmic layers, a controlled chaos reminiscent of early industrial metal pioneers yet distinctly Minorarc in its execution.
The third track, Meet the Blade, is where Bullock’s knack for cinematic tension truly shines. Swirling string arrangements entwine with pulsating synths, building toward a climax that feels like the soundtrack to a film never made. It’s both aggressive and delicate, showcasing his ability to weave brutality with beauty.
Three Times offers a moment of melancholic respite, allowing space for introspection. The arrangement is sparse but impactful, each note carrying the weight of nostalgia and fractured memories. This track, in particular highlights Bullock’s classical roots, proving that his early training still informs the emotional core of his music.
Bleeding Facet reintroduces the harsher textures of the album, layering angular guitar riffs over intricate electronic sequences. It’s an exercise in tension and release, mirroring the push-and-pull between industrial precision and raw human emotion that defines Minorarc’s sound.
Triclinic stands out as one of the most experimental pieces on Inclusions, with unconventional time signatures and manipulated field recordings woven into its structure. It’s a reminder of Bullock’s deep appreciation for avant-garde approaches to composition, refusing to be confined by genre expectations.
The album revisits A Drizzle’s Vagrant, this time with a more aggressive arrangement that casts the piece in an entirely new light. The contrast between the two versions speaks to the fluid nature of memory and perception, a recurring theme in Minorarc’s work.
Closing with Blue Cold Mess, Inclusions ends on a haunting note. Ethereal vocals drift through layers of reverb-drenched piano and guitar, leaving the listener suspended in a liminal space between past and present. It’s an evocative conclusion to an album that feels like a journey through Bullock’s own reflections, fragmented yet cohesive, intimate yet expansive.
In the present day, Bullock is focused on bringing Minorarc’s last three albums to the stage, collaborating with a violinist and bassist to translate these intricate compositions into a live setting. Beyond his own music, he continues to champion underground artists through Darkstereo, ensuring that the independent music community remains as vibrant as ever.
Inclusions is more than just a collection of tracks—it’s a statement, a testament to an artist who has spent decades refining his craft while never losing sight of the experimental spirit that ignited his journey. For those willing to immerse themselves in its depths, Inclusions offers an experience that lingers long after the final note fades.
