As part of the VMX Project, we once again explored how to elevate live music through visuals—this time with a focus on handcrafted digital artistry tailored to a band’s unique identity.

For this project, we collaborated with the Belgian post-metal band Pothamus to design a custom visual experience for a showcase of new material from their upcoming album, “Abur.” Our aim was to stay true to the band’s intense, ritualistic aesthetic, while using cutting-edge tools to create something both visually reactive and emotionally immersive.

Audio-Reactive Worlds in UE5

At the heart of this project was Unreal Engine 5, where we built custom audiovisual scenes inspired by the artwork, themes, and mood of Abur. The visuals were then shown on a massive LED wall, with two smaller vertical panels flanking the stage to create a surrounding visual canvas.

To make the scenes feel alive and responsive, we implemented a range of audio-reactive elements:

• Particle systems that pulsed and scattered in sync with the rhythm

• Moving backgrounds and environment effects reacting to frequency ranges

• Animated objects that subtly shifted, trembled, or exploded with sonic intensity

The audio analysis was powered by TouchDesigner, which translated incoming audio into usable data streams. These data streams then influenced the visuals in real time via OSC (Open Sound Control).

Custom Control and Live Manipulation

To allow both precision and spontaneity, we developed custom OSC controllers to manually trigger or influence visual events—providing a layer of human intuition and improvisation on top of the automated audio reactivity.

The entire setup was brought together live through Resolume, where visual artist Nele Fack acted as the VJ during the show. Resolume added a final touch of live effects, blending and enhancing the UE5 visuals for a cohesive and dynamic visual narrative.

Total Immersion with Spatial Audio

The visuals weren’t the only immersive element of the evening. Our partners at PXL Music Research set up an immersive speaker system, enveloping the audience in a three-dimensional sonic experience. Together with the LED setup, this created a performance where sight and sound worked as one—drawing the crowd deeper into the world of Abur.