The Below cower from the dreadful drumbeat of impending doom in their ominous and oppressive new single and video Tabla Motors — premiering exclusively on Tinnitist.
The final preview and opening track of the Swedish industrial / experimental project’s imminent new EP Behaviour In Public Places, Tabla Motors captures the essence of aging and the inevitable approach of death. The lyrics paint a picture of a troubled, threatening world where chaos and uncertainty reign. The once-revered gods are abandoned, their temples crumbling into dust. In their place, new belief systems arise, offering hope and solace to weary souls seeking meaning amid the turmoil. The melody is tense yet beautiful, serving as a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the ever-changing landscape of faith and existence:
“In the wholesale of the twilight, hearts are racing fast
Feeding darkness in a frenzy, sense of being trapped
Like a crossroad, hidden junction, there’s no path for us
Memories once very vivid, lost in spreading moss
Oh the pain, an overwhelming pressure to all limbs
Blood is rushing, senses working overtime again
“Fear is spreading like a virus added to the sum
In the distance there’s an engine
It slowly starts to hum
Something wicked headed right this way
Something wicked with intent to play
Tabla motors.”
The visually striking video for Tabla Motors was created by Mike Coles, known for his work with post-punk pioneers Killing Joke. The Below state: “Killing Joke are one of the most influential bands ever, and I have always loved their graphic profile. To be able to work with Mike Coles, who has done a lot of their artwork and videos, is a true honour.”
Behaviour in Public Places — which arrives Nov. 22 — follows up The Below’s critically acclaimed five-track EP Immutable Decay. While it featured collaborations with vocalist Aaron Sutcliffe, the new EP includes collaborations with Jesper Hanning. Driven by metallic percussion and oppressive soundscapes, Immutable Decay captured a bleak atmosphere of existential tension and environmental crisis, with Sutcliffe’s evocative vocals adding a powerful layer to the EP’s stark, industrial aesthetic. The new EP features the singles Heebie-Jeebies Süsigkeit, Knives And Heights and Grind Me Down, along with two new tracks. In these new recordings, The Below return to a more experimental sound, which might very well be the darkest and most uncanny from the duo to date.
Bo Magnusson, the creative force behind The Below, first made his mark as part of the industrial collective Dr. Evil and The Boys From Below. Emerging from Sweden’s dynamic underground scene in the ’80s and early ’90s, the band became known for its provocative performances, which featured unusual props like pig skulls, man-sized test tubes, and even levitating washing machines — creating a spectacle that combined music with performance art. Despite a dedicated following, the group disbanded in 1992, and Magnusson stepped away from the music world for a time.
Returning in 2015 with a renewed creative spark, Magnusson launched The Below, a project that embraces his experimental roots while forging new sonic paths. Using forgotten instruments and repurposed materials, he has crafted a distinct sound that blends industrial, post-punk, and experimental influences. The Below’s sonic palette is marked by the clash of metal and unconventional instrumentation, creating soundscapes that feel both haunting and raw.
Watch the video for Tabla Motors above, hear more from The Below below and wait for the other shoe to drop on their Instagram and Facebook.
