GODSEND ONLINE : latest reviews 05.06

Al Azred - "Symphony For A Psychosis" CDR - 8 songs and 20 minutes of token 'brutal', gutteral, and hyperspeed French death metal. There's little else to say, aside from the fact that the cover art is a magnificent and bleak piece by the always-interesting French visual artist Francoise Duvivier. (Al Azred)

Attrition - "Tearing Arms From Deities - 1980-2005" CD - Condensing 25 years of songs, experiences, and history into one 70-minute CD can't be easy, but Martin Bowes has done so in this wonderful package, complete with plenty of lovely artwork and an informative booklet. ATTRITION have always been kinda hit-or-miss with me, but this career summation is the perfect document of their finer work through the years. From the neo-classicism of the opening 'Prelude' to the kitschier 80s-electro-industrial / anti-consumerist rant of 'Shrinkwrap', ATTRITION have always balanced their overt dark edges with an outsider popsong stance. Bowes' gutteral vocals and Julia Waller's brighter, dramatic voice are a unique and recognizable counterpoint and a trademark of sorts. More recent work, like 'Two Gods', maintains a certain elegance and magical intensity in its' minimalist execution and subdued demeanor. 'Tearing Arms From Deities' is a wonderful cross-section and well worth seeking out, especially as this seems to be limited to 2000 copies. (Two Gods / Voiceprint)

Avenpitch - "Butterfly Radio" CD - Minnesota's veteran electro-rock act here produces their most pop-worthy release to date. Cuts like 'Smitten' or 'Messalina' are the highlights far and away, dancing alongside 80s-style synthpop, while other cuts are heavier, with thick (synthetic?) guitars. Their sound seems to be mostly programmed to emulate a live rock band feel, which works alright, but can overly 'canned' in spots, too. Some good stuff here, and the duo of AVENPITCH is still progressing with each release. (Omega Point)

Beans - "Only" CD - This solo release from former ANTI-POP CONSORTIUM wordsmith Beans ushers living jazz legends Hamid Drake (percussion) and William Parker (bass) into the fray for an album of wild avante-electro-beat-jazz. The resultant sound collision is an unpredictable and bass-heavy series of abstract jams and out-jazz grooves, punctuated by flourishes of electronic effects and the occasional verbiage from Beans. 'Only' is a harbinger of 21st century music, while retaining essential elements from the past. Visionary and intelligent listening music for next-generation heads. (Thirsty Ear)

Bird Show - "Lightning Ghost" CD - This second solo release by Ben Vida moves closer to song-based territory than his previous work, and that's a good thing. Honed during his live performances of 2005, BIRD SHOW's music joins loosely-organized tribal percussive patterns with drones, chants, and glitchy electronics for a freeform sort of psychedelic experience. Vida creates a mystical journey within these tracks, heavy of the atmospheres and laced with edgy melodies and fragile electro-acoustic meanderings. 'Lightning Ghost' is a wonderfully exotic release, bringing together disparate sound elements and collaging them into an organic whole that conjures visions of opium dens and deep-woods shamen. Remarkable and wonderfully unique. (Kranky)

Concept 7 - "The Undeniable Constant" CDR - This UK industrial act's debut full-length is a throwback to the classic post-Wax Trax! days. CONCEPT 7's sequencer-driven heavy electro stacks up favorably next to stuff like NITZER EBB or CUBANATE, with aggressive, repetitive vocals and well-placed slash/metal guitar samples. The production, which is quite important for this type of music, is solid and punchy, and the music would likely work nicely on a heavy dancefloor, but I can't help but think that this whole scene is stagnant and, frankly, sort of dead. Strong effort nonetheless. (Concept-7.net)

Drug Honkey - "Hail Satan" CD - This Illinois-based group plumbs the void of grimy post-dub deathrock as well or better than anyone. This second release is a triumphant descent into decay and depravity, with booming rhythms, feedback-swollen guitars, dub basslines, and bowels-of-hell vox that could frighten some death-metallers. In fact, fans of stuff like TECHNO-ANIMAL, early SCORN, early PUBLIC IMAGE, GODFLESH, classic BUTTHOLE SURFERS, or GOD will find sustenance in this multi-sensory attack. 'Hail Satan' is a violently confrontational and antisocial release packed with dense clots of noise, shuffling beats, and potent swells of dub. A highly provocative and enjoyable release that comes quite recommended to those who require some 'extra' intensity in their music. (Drug Honkey)

Fields Of The Nephilim - "Mourning Sun" CD - After a period of many years, and discounting the unauthorized 'Fallen' release of a few years back, the return of the reclusive Carl McCoy's venerable and long-dormant dark-rock act is a successful return to form. With an adept sense of melodic songwriting, dynamic sound, and a mystical aura that forges deep into occult mythology, FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM transcend the whole 'goth rock' tag that has dogged them for the past 20+ years. Taking more cues from his legendary 'Elizium' than the proceeding NEFILIM project, 'Mourning Sun' contains 7 extended songpieces that fit together as a whole, in one continuous soundscape journey. Expect chiming, atmospheric guitars, proto-psychedelic mists of synths and deeply-layered mixes, and of course Carl's alternately gruff and wailing vocals. From the innate longing of the majestic 'New Gold Dawn' to the seething 'Straight To The Light' to the amorphous closer, 'Mourning Sun', this album forges a new beginning for FOTN, and one that affirms them to be among the more interesting and enigmatic acts under the 'rock' aegis. (SPV)

Ginger Leigh - "Sparrow Wings" CD - The mysterious and prolific Ginger Leigh returns with this 6-song, 29-minute release of odd and abrasive soundtracks. Opening with a mirthful and exotic (and, eventually, noise-laced) 60's-pop-inflected piece, the disc leads into 'Here Come The Trumpets' - a tightly-compressed, claustrophobic attack on the senses, complete with screeching feedback and trebly static. The composer's fascination with Middle-Eastern themes can also be felt on 'Immigrant Song', which has little in common with the (cough) classic rock song of the same name. Approaching a kind of better-developed digital power noise at times, the music of GL is certainly not for the timid of ear or mind, and the crunchy, dark, and often-repetitive themes may frighten those not familiar with similarly-minded post-industrial sounds, but given an open mind and ear, these tracks are engaging, unpredictable, and unique. (www.gingerleigh.com)

Gist - "Diesel City" CD - Washington, D.C.-based indie rock that actually rocks here, with big swollen guitar riffs and (over)emotive vocals that, sorry to say, remind me of that Adam dude from the despicable COUNTING CROWS somehow. Otherwise, it's a promising collection of rock songs that even dip their hands in a cool country/rootsy vibe (the closer 'Diesel City'). Not altogether terrible stuff, but it's just hard to get past the silly affected vocals. (Red Stapler Records)

Chad Hoefler - "Quiet Glow" CD - This sophomore release from Hoefler is a world-class ambient/electronic soundtrack that quietly seethes and envelops with starry textures and murky atmospheres. Being mixed and mastered by Robert Rich is a surefire testament to the quality, as 'Quiet Glow' manages to paint images of both beauty and tension (as on the magnificently evocative 'Bending Chromatic Light'). 'Shadowshine' is another particularly effective bit of haunting nighttime moodiness. Superb, masterful sounds here that balance the light and the dark perfectly. (Lotuspike)

Gregg Kowalsky - "Through The Cardial Window" CD - This series of ambient & drone compositions shimmers and glistens with a crystalline digital veneer. Standouts include the stately and even majestic coolness of the filmic 'Into The Marshes They Drove Me', which features sounds sourced from the post-rock band ISIS. Further listening on cuts like 'Coral Gables' recalls a softer, gentler electro-ambient vibe, like a melding of Basic Channel, Eno, and prime Tangerine Dream maybe. Kowalsky's use of space and frequency is subtle and pristine, and his sounds emanate like a gentle glacial drift with the first traces of life springing forth. A very enjoyable and interesting release that fills the room with contemplative texture and fresh, clear air. (Kranky)

Ministry - "Rio Grande Blood" CD - The venerable (and perpetually angry) Al Jourgensen cannot be accused of being too soft or lenient on the state of America's affairs, or on George Dubya in particular. 'Rio Grande Blood' is a seething and blatant 'fuck you' fireball to our present government, in the form of the band's strongest and most aggressive work in years. Jourgensen here teams up with PRONG frontman/guitarist Tommy Victor and KILLING JOKE bassist Paul Raven for 10 tracks of hyperspeed thrash/punk/metal madness. It's most assuredly not innovative, and it seems that Jourgensen has been sort of retreading the same old ground since his top-selling 'Psalm 69' album of 14 years ago. That said, this earbleed masterpiece still shreds like it's, well, 1992. John Lydon once wrote that 'anger is an energy', and 'Rio Grande Blood' is certainly not lacking in either. (13th Planet/Megaforce)

various - "Mitten (State) Transmissions: A Collection of Experimental/Noise/Electronic/Space Rock from Michigan" 4xCD + DVDR - This massive collection of music and video boasts a wealth of material from a massive array of musicians and artists, as a benefit for student-run radio station WHFR.FM. Notables include the rolling psychedelia-meets-4AD ambience of DELTA WAVES' 'Anti-Lock Breaks', Mark Borghi's deep ambient tonalities, Windy & Carl w/ Andew's starkly gorgeous and spacy drones of 'Myths Of The Near Future', and Steven Curtin's ghostly 'Singing Bowl'. On the rougher side, WOLF EYES bring their ominous and threatening terror-noise on 'Skunk'. The rest is rounded off by tons of noise variants, from the digital to the organic, contemplative to aggressive, ambient to grinding. Plus the DVD contains another collection of live footage that totals nearly 3 hours. Despite some filler (to be expected on a 7+ hour-long comp), 'Mitten (State) Transmissions' is a winner showcasing a rich and varied underground scene that merits further investigation. A highly impressive set. (Top Quality Rock & Roll)

Nils Petter Molvaer - "An American Compilation" CD - This collection, hand-picked by the veteran and award-winning out-jazzist Molvaer as an introduction for US audiences, attempts to condense his forward-thinking sounds into one concise package. Taking elements of modern electronic music, ambient rock, and improvisational contemplation into his work, Molvaer creates crisp and evocative mood pieces that resonate warmly and wisely use a sound-palette that extends well beyond the usual 'jazz' standards. With an unflinching and unapologetic feel for all contemporary musics, Molvaer surprises and often confounds. 'Solid Ether' is a dub/groove-oriented piece that incorporates heavy rhythms alongside playful sound experiments--a worldly dance experience! Taking that to the next level, 'Nebulizer' is outright drum-and-bass, with frantic beats placed alongside his trumpet work. Other cuts, like the moody Deathprod mix of 'Kakonita', or the (less successful) disco oddity 'Darker', are wild and untamed creatures in their own right. 'An American Compilation' showcases Molvaer's diverse and incredible range of moods, sounds, textures, and influences wonderfully, and this is an essential set for any heads (and ears) seeking unclassifiable sounds to nourish and inspire. (Thirsty Ear)

Mono - "You Are There" CD - Mono is a Japanese quartet who create lovely and melodic guitar soundtracks, with a distinct ear for crescendo and building tension with powerful guitar riffage and melodic strings. 'You Are There' is their 4th album, and it's still much along the same lines as their peers in Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. However, Mono's work involves a little more drone and melody than those folks usually do. These 6 extended and dynamic tracks were recorded and mixed by the inimitable Steve Albini, and are an attempt to summon the majesty and maelstrom of the band's fabled live performances. Having never experienced their work in a live setting, I am not one to judge, but I do find this to be a wonderful piece of work, packed with a sad sort of introspection and a crushing rock power, simultaneously fusing the gentle and the abrasive. An enthralling experience and quite recommended. (Temporary Residence)

Moonspell - "Memorial" CD - More than 10 years after their debut, 'Wolfheart', this Portuguese band has become one of the avatars of the whole sprawling gothic-metal scene. 'Memorial' boasts of clear and potent production from the legendary Waldemar Sorychta, and the band turns a new leaf with the interesting, evocative, and experimental neo-classical strings-and-drums piece 'Proliferation'. Otherwise, I am left rather unimpressed by MOONSPELL's gutteral growly vox and double-kick drum structures. Basically sounding like little more than death metal with slower breakdowns and moody 'gothic' keyboard-oriented moments, 'Memorial' is like one long blur of overbaked cheese by a band that seems to take themselves a little too seriously. Nah, thanks. (SPV)

Slow Motion Reign - "Slow Motion Reign" CD - Coming from SYSTEM OF A DOWN's Serj Tankian's own label, and featuring his own production, some may expect SLOW MOTION REIGN to be hard, metallic, and political in aim. SMR prove otherwise, being a spacious, emotive, and highly melodic pop/rock act that may appeal to fans of COLDPLAY (if only for the vocal delivery) or a less-orchestrated MUSE . Tracks like the piano-driven 'Shining Days' appeal instantly with an obvious songwriting skill, and the shimmering 'Via Satellite', could easily be a radio hit given some promotion. Certainly a strong debut here, and it would have to be a horribly unjust world if these guys didn't make a splash on your favorite album-rock station soon. (Serjical Strike)

Televise - "Songs To Sing In A&E" CD - Helmed by former SLOWDIVE/LOWGOLD member Simon Scott, TELEVISE successfully fuses radio-ready Britpop with droney shoegazery guitarwork. Beginning with the instantly-likeable and melan-catchy 'This Is Where...', the album moves to the suave and driving single 'I Don't Know Why'. A fine and faithful cover of the classic ULTRA VIVID SCENE track 'Mercy Seat' scores them big points here, as does the 14-minute 'Never Alone', which glides and morphs into a fine and hazy cloud of chiming guitar effects and churning bass. A fine album, quite suited to fans of such swirly guitar-pop acts as COLDPLAY, SPIRITUALIZED, or RIDE. (Club AC30)

T.M.O.R.o. - "Something To Look Forward To 1" CDS - This 3-track, 12-minute single of instrumental work by electronic duo THE MATH OF REFLECTION is an appealing mix of heavier rhythmic electronic percolations and simple melodic elements, like a kind of post-industrial synthpop. 'Greater Then' is a highly accessable track with solid programming and production, and the following cuts are similar. Well-done and more than listenable songs here, if a bit nondescript. (Desperate Diagram)

Keith Fullerton Whitman - "Lisbon" CD - Hazy, gauzy visions of glitchy electronics and proto-ambient field recordings from this prolific contemporary composer. Recorded live straight-to-disk in October of 2005, 'Lisbon' is a raw and evolving 40+ minute piece that features Whitman manipulating and synthesizing his computers, the performance space itself (he mics up the performance space and uses environmental sounds in his compositions), guitars, and any other sonic detritus that finds it's way into his gear. 'Lisbon' is a shifting, amorphous audio journey, ranging from the freefalling psychedelic to the loud and electro-abrasive. It's a volatile and beautiful trip here, with rewards for those willing to accept the challenge. (Kranky)

Al Azred, www.alazred.free.fr