Experimental Review Edition ( 3/2/2014)

Shrine- Nihil- CD/ digital ( Cyclic Law)

Shrine you have thrown me for a loop. This is one of the darkest releases I've heard out of Cyclic Law in a while. Just but my introduction to Nihil I would call this Ambient Black Noise with a love of Drone Doom . There is a level of Pain and Sorrow in this that reminds me of the more extreme dark days of CMI, Cold Spring and Malignant releases. If had to say think of a Black Plague release on Malignant and your coming closer to where Shrine has entered with this release.  There is a massive symphonic element to it as well but I get those chills from bands like Protagonist, Sephiroth, Schloss Tegal, Valefor and even Profane Grace.  The experimentation with Shire is the layers and loops of what sounds like the deconstruction of machines with synths drifting in the background . It's almost a Heaven and Hell ideal going on and it fits even better with the cover art. There are many occult element going on here as well. Shrine new release is more then unsettling and I welcome it all the more. Cyclic Law is expanding once more lets see where a release takes the label and it's artist...

http://cycliclaw.com/

Otavan Veret- S/t- CD/ Digital ( Cyclic Law)

Then we have Otavan Veret which comes from the other side of the experimental spectrum . It's that Haunting Bleak Spacial Minimalist Classical Dark Ambient artist like Lustmord, Robert  Rich, Steve Roach, Arecibo and Vidna Obmana have made into a stellar carrier. Otavan Veret add Oriental and Eastern touches as well to the drifts and long tones that expand and contract through out the 3 epic tracks. I like to call this Meditation ambient music but its just too ritualistic and primitive time but then the think man's side comes out and the music becomes a majestic phase of dreams, ideals and futuristic complexity.  Otavan Veret goes more for the film score presentation of ambient works. The album would be amazing in a dark room being performed with projector of history moments intertwined with space and undersea slides.. With the self titled release we have a very special release that should not be lost of forgotten in the 3 minutes song world we live in..

http://cycliclaw.com/

ALT3R3D STAT3- Dubbed in Black - CD/ Digital ( Cyro Chamber)

Minimalist Black Ambient Soundtrack for something like a found footage film is the vibe that comes across while I listen to this and the sinister smiles being as well. This will make some not be able to sleep at night and other just will need more of this like a drug. It's really is in the mind of the listener. I do like the Silent Hill comparison that the label gave it as it does sound like you are between the world of the living and death and you do even realize it. Works like haunting, creepy and horror are just what the backdrop of a release like this comes from. ALT3R3D STAT3 is more about when the mind no longer can see rational and the super natural is the common place and how much you can take before you and your soul just shuts down and allows what is going to happen to happen. Sometimes you can't stop what is going on and you need to move into the next realm for a reason... 

http://www.cryochamberlabel.com/

Epistasis- Light through Dead Glass- CD/ Digital ( Crucial Blast)

Well ummm a where ummm do i even begin with this. I think we need to start and the end and work our way back as this is such a confusing and rewarding release all at the same time. Do you like Gnaw, Godflesh, MZ412, Voivod, Emperor, Ulver and Gorguts all at the same time then you will love Epistasis  as it mixes all those layers and sound with terrifying acoustic backdrop. This is Post Music . Bands like this happen because they just go into a room and say everyone start playing and by will alone it will gel into a dissonance of wonder, glory and ultimate reward. There is a Tech and Prog side to this beast as well and then we come to the vocals that is were gnaw comes in as the madness factor is high on this one. Love the jazzy metallic solos from the guitars as well. Epistasis is what the word experimental means . James Plotkin would love this gem as it is akin to a lot of his works as well esp khlyst...  The 21st century has become a very interesting landscape for underground music and I'm really glad to get the time to experience it and not just let it pass me by..

http://crucialblast.net/

Sunn 0)))  & Ulver- Terrestrials- CD/ Digital ( Southern Lord)

 This collab is something that on 1st hand is awesome as its two bands that make amazingly interesting music on there own from the Drone, Doom, Black metal,Jazzy, Drum and Bass and Avant sides of the world. With the two forces coming together there is very much a Jazzy Post/ Noise Rock thing going on here. The drones are there and the metal will never fully go away but these are much more subtle in the way of presentation.  It reminds me a lot of the way Ulver did Blood inside as they mixed so many elements there as well as here. With these 3 track you can hear the influence of both project is a very interesting way. It almost reminds me of a Polvo or Sonic Youth release as its a mix of Avant rock, Noisy Jazz and Theatrics all mixed into one band. In continuing this review is also has elements of Godspeed your black emperor and Silver Mt Zion.  Terrestrials is Bluesy in it's translation at a well. Post Rock is the common ground for this release with many other flavors.  I'm sure this was a one off release but another collab could be very fruitful as this is a fantastic release and stronger then many proper bands out there. Highly Recommended...

http://southernlord.com/

U-731- By All Means-CD/ Digital (Black Plague/ Malignant)

So what do you get when members of Steel Hook Prosthesses and The Vomit Arsonist join forces with Gordon Lazarus of Defiler you get a Black Industrial release that is here to cause fear, loathing and just general terror on all it infects. It's a slow moving virus to say the least . The kind that starts with an itch and over weeks leads to madness and death. If you like your Black and Death industrial with sinister vocals and that sickening Drone and tone then you have come to the right place fella. There is no hope for you here . This is where the shunned enter to live of the rest of their torment and know that even after death there will be no peace.  U-731 is much like a black hole it takes your dark feels and amplifies them to the point not many can bare. Through out there builds a Martial Industrial element to that just is so well put together. I sad to see this be a one off project as it has so much potential to be more.  As U-731 ends the release it gives you a glimmer of hope only to suck it all away with the sounds of war and death behind it. That really says it all for this album and we know where we stand in live period..

http://malignantrecords.com/