Carpenter Brut

Carpenter Brut, the project of French musician Franck Hueso, is a cornerstone of the darksynth movement, a subgenre that bridges the gap between electronic music and heavy metal. Emerging in the early 2010s, Hueso utilized an anonymous persona to shift focus toward a cinematic, narrative-driven aesthetic heavily influenced by 1980s B-movies and the soundtracks of John Carpenter.

His sound is characterized by aggressive sawtooth basslines, high-tempo percussion, and a maximalist approach to production that favors 'wall of sound' density. Unlike many of his contemporaries who rely solely on programmed sequences, Hueso incorporates live instrumentation in his performances, featuring members of the metal band Hacride. This crossover appeal has led to high-profile tours with acts like Ghost and contributions to cult-hit video games like Hotline Miami 2 and Furi. Critically, he is viewed as a primary architect of the 'dark' side of retrowave, moving the genre away from 'outrun' nostalgia toward a more visceral, industrial-tinged experience. His work is essential for understanding the modern intersection of metal subculture and electronic production.