KK Null - "Oxygen Flash" CD

The Japanese icon Null (aka Kazayuki Kishino), for those not yet familiar, is a veteran guitarist who's resume reads like a "who's who" of avante/experimental/noise musics. He's led trash/noise groups like YBO2, Absolut Null Punkt (A.N.P.), and sludge-grind metallists Zeni Geva. He's also collaborated with just about everyone of note in the world of left field music for the past 25 years. This new solo release of 2006-2007 work eschews the guitar in favor of loud, unsettling electro-acoustic cacophonies. The 9 untitled tracks here clock in at over 49 combined minutes, and they range from near-power electronics to overloaded, fractured, and amplified digitally-processed glitch - sometimes grating (and unashamedly so), yet rife with an ear for subtlety upon deeper absorption. Track 4 is a particularly monolithic slab of barreling, broken rhythms, and chaotic electro-percolations. Track 5 is a stinging barrage of trebly distortions and proto-rhythms, sounding quite alien and disorienting, while track 6 is a hypnotic space-out collision of geiger pops and squeltchiness. Other tracks are similarly foreign and, due to their rather extreme nature, difficult to ignore or relegate to the background.
Null's skills are evident here, as in the hands of a lesser ear, this set could be indulgent and messy. As it is, "Oxygen Flash" is a highly immersive set of playful sonic compositions with much to offer upon repeat spins. Enjoyable and unforgettable work.
(Neurot Recordings)

KK Null home site

White Rainbow - "New Clouds" CD

Portlander Adam Forkner's second release on Kranky shows an even more spacious, cosmic predilection than his excellent Krautrock-inspired debut of 2007. Beginning with the expansive 18-minute magickal-stoner ambience of "Tuesday Rollers And Strollers", White Rainbow produce a myriad of lush, even melodic sound-journeys that are hopeful, gauzy, and somehow primal and shamanic. I am reminded a bit of Popol Vuh's wonderful soundtracks to Werner Herzog's films, which isn't a bad thing at all. Forkner's vaporous, rapturous soundscapes are at once psychedelic, ambient, and trance-inducing, with each of the four extended pieces here gelling well together into 67 minutes of blissed-out, tripped-out space synaesthesia. Superb. (Kranky)

White Rainbowspace

White Rainbow tumblr

Beer-o-ween?

The season of the witch is upon us, so that means falling leaves, the holy daze season, and some nice and strong Oktoberfest/Fall beers! Keep in mind that the ratings here are my own, and can be echoed on my BeerAdvocate site. Beers are rated from 1 (being awful) to 5 (godlike). But dare to try them yourself...and support the indie brewing culture.

BRECKENRIDGE AUTUMN ALE (Denver, CO) - 4.0
A nice and deep (almost black) opaque ale with a thick head, this one
has a spice hint at first, with an almost burnt chocolate/caramel
follow-through. It's strong and malty, but the citrus-spice zing gives
it an added dimension, and a clean finish. Attractive and tasty, this
Breckenridge's Autumn Ale is more than enjoyable, and an easygoing,
yet still uniquely creative brew.

BERGHOFF TRADITIONAL BOCK (Monroe, WI) - 2.5
A traditional bock is, by nature, highly malted. And well, this
no-nonsense beer certainly fits that description. At the same time,
the malt presence here seems to overload my taste buds at the expense of any other flavors. Pouring a deep brown/amber, Berghoff's bock initially has a simple, rich caramel taste which permeates every subsequent sip. I sense no complexity, and this one-dimensional brew just doesn't cut it with me.

GOOSE ISLAND BOURBON COUNTY STOUT (Chicago, IL) - 4.5
Ah, this one is a deep, charry black stout that pours from the bottle
like a viscous oil. The scent recalls sweet cherry, aged oak, and of
course the sting of bourbon (this is aged in bourbon barrels, thus the
residual flavoring). First tasting reveals a heavy, potent alcohol
presence (it is a goliath 13% ABV, after all). This initial palate is
followed by a smoky, rich maltiness that is simply overpowering. No
session beer here, as this one's best for sipping or sharing, unless
you're seeking a quick ticket to buzz-land. An stunningly strong beer,
and a uniquely memorable "extreme beer" experience.

BACARDI SILVER - SANGRIA (St. Louis, MO) - 2.5
If it looks like a fruit punch, but smells like a wine, which is it? I
can't tell exactly what this one is, but I can report that this light
and fizzy drink is not altogether awful. I detect flavors like berries
and grapes alongside the more astringent sulfites. I've had several
kinds of these fruity "malt beverages", and most are horribly sugary
and artificial-tasting. Sugary, yes. Artificial, sort of. But I could
down it and not make sour faces, and that alone says something.

N.Strahl.N / Metek - "Drowning Devices" CDR

This collaboration between a pair of obscure avante sound-artists from Germany (N.Strahl.N, aka W.Loehr) and Sweden (Metek, aka F.Nilsson) is a series of subtle, cinematic, and often dark experimental/industrial-type soundscapes, often minimalistic and sparse yet wholly effective. It seems that most of "Drowning Devices" consists of field recordings with processing and electronic effects, and Loehr and Nilsson utilize these with a strong sense of tension and restraint. "Ambient 8", for example, creeps along like a shadow along a wall, perhaps hinting at a presence unseen. "Komfort" is very much in the realm of ambient-industrial, with the humming of what sounds like big machines in a spooky, long-abandoned warehouse. Perfect for creating your own '"Saw" scenario! Hah! "Eiserne Reserve" is a quiet mix of grinding metal, drones, and cavernous reverberations. Superb work, and a top-notch soundtrack to your paranoid thoughts. (Cohort Records)

N.Strahl.Nspace

Metekspace

JANVS - "Vega" CD

Another standout black metal hybrid from ATMF, this Italian act's second album reflects a distinct progressive (as in prog-rock) tendency. The superb opener, "Torri Di Vetro" is booming and blasting, but it's got a unique technical side that aims it away from your usual xerox black metal. "Saphire" ushers in an extremely melodic, almost commercial sound, but that's not to say it sucks, by any means. It's still a powerful and highly listenable collision of heavy, layered riffing and vocals that don't sound like a fourth-rate Mayhem knockoff. It's probably too complex and almost psychedelic, perhaps, for those with an ear for more traditional heavy sounds, but I rather like it. "Tarab" is even more grand, complete with dark, mysterious electronic textures and orchestral flourishes. It's big, epic and really something to behold. "Mediterraneo" brings it back to earth with a bruising, blackened thrash stomp, complete with proggy twists. JANVS fuse elements from usually disparate angles of metal, and create their own tasteful spin on the ever-broadening genre. A superlative and forward-thinking release. I am impressed! (ATMF)

janvspace

band site

Faust - "From Glory To Infinity" CD

Apparently oblivious to the fact that there's already been a prominent and influential group called Faust which has been performing and recording for decades, this Italian death/speed/thrash metal act bludgeons away with unmistakable technical prowess, electing to leave any semblance of originality far behind them. This particular Faust, the brainchild of vocalist/guitarist/producer Aleister, chooses silly cartoonish gurgled vocals that epitomize and pigeonhole this style. And let's not get started with the sophomoric lyrics, which are mercilessly included here. Yikes. On the positive side, the band's strongest point is easily the double-pronged guitar attack, which displays a tight-knit and melodic, almost-classical temperament. No doubt the experience of the band, which includes former members of Sadus, Testament, Death, Iced Earth, and Dimmu Borgir, is evident here. The production is also quite good, allowing space for all the instruments to shine clearly. It's just a shame it all gets lost amidst this formula and cheesy death metal posturing. There's better and heavier music out there. Sorry lads. (Paragon Records)

band website

Faust2space

Ethernet - "144 Pulsations Of Light" CD

Using sound as a meditative or healing instrument isn't a new idea. In fact, this is likely among the earliest applications for music itself. Tim Gray (who is Ethernet) seeks to re-establish the self-healing and trance-provoking elements of ambient sound on his debut here. Beginning with the drones of "Majestic", Gray's shimmering pulses are grounded by an underlying 808 backbeat -- a singular, simplistic rhythm. "5 + 7 = 12" is almost melodic, as a lilting loop is placed among the electronic textures and field recordings. That dubby back-rhythm, combined with the trancey natural landscapes, reminds me a bit of the landmark work of Wolfgang Voigt as Gas, although Ethernet is more drone-based and hazy/distant. "Summer Insects" drops the beats entirely, and becomes even more effective and organic, like a paean to a lost rainforest. "Seaside" is a calming affirmation, while "Kansai" is more upbeat. The closer, "Temple", is a celestial gem that sparkles and gently lulls. This is some righteously beautiful and timeless work, and here's to hoping that Ethernet can continue on this splendid, nature-oriented path. (Kranky)

Ethernetspace

Tanuki Dreams site