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Norwegian producer and musician
Helge Sten makes noise-tinged dark ambient under the name
Deathprod, utilizing a collection of homemade electronics, Theremins, echo machines, and other devices which he refers to as his Audio Virus. His best-known solo work is 2004's
Morals and Dogma, which is often regarded as a high point of its genre. While
Sten's discography as
Deathprod is limited, he has been highly prolific as a producer, engineer, and collaborator, particularly as a member of
Supersilent and frequent collaborator with
Motorpsycho.
Sten began making music as
Deathprod in 1991, issuing a limited cassette under the name that year. His terrifying debut album,
Treetop Drive, arrived in 1994, showcasing his talent for creating bleak, haunted landscapes with acoustic instruments and innovative homemade production techniques.
Imaginary Songs from Tristan da Cunha followed in 1996, featuring 30-minute choral exploration "The Contraceptive Briefcase II." In 1998,
Deathprod collaborated with Norwegian ambient techno pioneer
Biosphere (
Geir Jenssen) for a split CD of reinterpretations of works by Norwegian composer
Arne Nordheim. Released in 2004,
Morals and Dogma was
Deathprod's most acclaimed work yet, combining his dark ambient textures with brooding strings, harmonium, and musical saw. A self-titled box set containing nearly all of
Deathprod's work to that point, including
Morals and Dogma, was simultaneously released. 6-Track, a 10" EP containing
Sten's remixes for artists including
Nils Petter Molvær and
Murcof, was released in 2006.
Sten collaborated with
Led Zeppelin bassist
John Paul Jones under the project name
Minibus Pimps in 2014. A second split album with
Biosphere, Stator, appeared on Touch in 2015.
Deathprod's first full-length in 15 years, an "anti-fascist ritual" titled
Occulting Disk, was released by Smalltown Supersound in 2019. ~ Paul Simpson