Milan Nestarec DANGER 380 Volts and The Faint's Danse Macabre
A possessed mannequin, a motel death threat and at least one murder may sound like the makings of a crazed horror movie plot, but in this case, it all takes place in The Faint’s cursed 35 minute dance party, “Danse Macabre.” The aggressive, synth-soaked soundtrack to a nightmare is just as ominous, seductive and danceable almost 20 years later.
Equally rattling is Milan Nestarec’s DANGER 380 Volts. This industrious young winemaker’s searing, aromatic pét-nat made from 70% muller thurgau, 20% neubürger and 10% muscat zaps all the senses. His daring proclivities are on the same level as the enchanting goths.
Although Milan and The Faint are from two very different places—Czech Republic and Omaha, Nebraska—they both stand out in their respective communities. The Czech Republic and Omaha are both breeding grounds for magnetic talent, but Milan and The Faint are on some other shit.
Omaha, home to the Saddle Creek record label, is famous for earnest indie darlings like Bright Eyes, Azure Ray and Cursive. Its music scene is well-defined. Czech Republic’s wine culture hasn’t quite found itself in the same way. Better known for beer and bordering much more established wine regions like Germany and Austria, CR is a bit of a blank canvas for wine, despite its long winemaking history.
Milan Nestarec, courtesy of jennyandfrancois.com
Instead of concentrating on a limited portfolio, Milan’s specialty is his incredibly wide range. Because CR’s wine identity is still developing, he has the room to experiment, which he does in the form of producing over 20 different unique wines. With names like those you’d see on a cheeky cocktail list, including If God Exists I Hope He Has A Good Excuse and WTF (What The Flor), Milan’s wines are fun, creative and full of personality.
The Faint is like if an electro-new wave supergroup consisting of New Order, Gang of Four and Kraftwerk members during their heyday time traveled to the early aughts and hung out with Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie. They sound like many other bands and no other band all at once. Whatever you want to call them, they command attention on their home turf and well beyond.
The DANGER 380 Volts is a head rush of floral and citrus aromatics. True to its name, this pét-nat sends shock waves of acidity with bursts of fresh and candied grapefruit, orange, lemon and pineapple. It’s the adult Pop Rocks in your 2020 Halloween basket.
Not to push the Halloween theme too far, but “Danse Macabre’s” opening track “Agenda Suicide” is like a spell that immediately lures you to the dance floor, which during the current pandemic, is likely your living room. Punishing drums, disturbing lyrics, wailing vocals and synths as angular as the wine prevail throughout the whole record.
While “Agenda Suicide” warns of the sacrifices made “to get that pretty little home”, “Violent” admits wherever you live, “every place is the same”; everywhere there’s unrest. The beginning of “Your Retro Career Melted” sounds like the literal entrance music to a haunted house, followed by “Posed to Death,” the result you’d get if Depeche Mode and Danny Elfman put on a dance party in hell.
The Dance of Death (1493) by Michael Wolgemut, from the Nuremberg Chronicle of Hartmann Schedel
“Danse Macabre,” or the “dance of death,” is a nod to the depiction of death in music, literature and art throughout the centuries, usually with images of skeletons dancing around gravestones. It’s the great unifier of humanity—everyone’s grand finale. This feels very appropriate for nearing the end of 2020 as we gather our tattered bones to both mourn and celebrate the end of a gruesome year.
And what better way to do so than with an electrically charged music and wine combo? Start your own nihilistic rave with The Faint’s “Danse Macabre” and Milan Nestarec’s DANGER 380 Volts during the spookiest time of the scariest year.
