Rejected Religion Podcast Rejected Religion Patreon Tier 2 Free Content- Dr. Matteo Polato: “The Atmospheric Forteanism of Hellier and the Role of Sound…”
*Note: this is the Free Content version of my interview with Dr. Matteo Polato. To access the full interview, please consider becoming a Patreon member; alternately, this episode is available for a one-time purchase under the "Shop" tab. www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion
My guest this month is Dr. Matteo Polato.
Matteo is a researcher, sound artist and videogame developer. He works as Senior Research Assistant at the School of Digital Arts of Manchester Metropolitan University, where he has completed his PhD on the roles of sound, vibration and resonance-based processes in contemporary occulture and paranormal practices. His artistic practice spans from electroacoustic composition to free improvisation and psychedelic rock, in solo and with bands such as Mamuthones and Cacotopos. As Yami Kurae – with Jacopo Bortolussi – he develops experimental games inspired by psychogeography and occultural practices. He is co-founder of D∀RK – Dark Arts Research Kollective at MMU, and co- artistic director of the association for experimental music research Centro d’Arte dell’Università di Padova.
Matteo’s recent article in Revenant Journal dives deep into the sonic and atmospheric dimensions of the paranormal documentary series Hellier. From Reddit threads to academic conferences, Matteo’s journey into Fortean soundscapes is as unexpected as it is fascinating.
Matteo recounts his initial encounter with Hellier and how its unique approach to paranormal investigation inspired him to analyze it academically. Unlike typical ghost-hunting shows, Hellier emphasizes experiential and atmospheric elements, which resonated with his interests in sound studies and Fortean phenomena.
Matteo’s article shifts the lens from why paranormal entities emerge to how sensory experiences (especially sound) create a sense of supernatural agency. He uses Hellier as a case study to explore this dynamic, drawing from sound studies and concepts like: the eerie, affective atmospheres, & agency and attunement.
Matteo argues that sonic interactions and “listening ecologies” are central to how Hellier portrays paranormal phenomena. He explains how sound is not just a medium but a method of engaging with unseen forces. Examples from the series include:
- Ritualistic listening sessions
- Use of the Estes Method vs. traditional EVP
- Ambient silence as a communicative space
Hellier stands out by blending folklore, psychology, ritual, and media theory. Matteo emphasizes the importance of this holistic method, which allows the investigators to explore the paranormal not just as spectacle, but as a lived, felt experience.
Whether you're a fan of Hellier, curious about the intersection of sound studies and the supernatural, or just love a good mystery, this episode will tune you into a whole new frequency of thought.
PROGRAM NOTES
Revenant Journal
DVRK:
https://www.instagram.com/dvrk_mcr/
DVRK Editions Label:
https://dvrkmusic.bandcamp.com/
Videogame stuff:
Mamuthones Band:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-it/artist/0JeuJ0H0Q54p6kTuHJSCIA
D∀RK: Dark ∀rts Research Kollective (@dvrk_mcr) • Instagram photos and videos
Yami Kurae (@yami_kurae) • Instagram photos and videos
Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea
End Production: Stephanie Shea