Built on a Weak Spot

Back again this year is Eric Quach with another fantastic edition in the thisquietarmy catalog titled Blackhaunter. Some may remember me writing a few words about the projects debut Unconquered earlier this year, which I fully recommend to pick up. Focusing on Blackhaunter though, this mini album of sorts takes on a bit of a different feel than it predecessor. Where Unconquered used layered fuzzy tones and loops to create a bit of warmth here and there, Blackhaunter does the complete opposite. As the title might suggest, this is a darker and much colder vision from Quach that at times reaches unsettling hair raising atmospherics. In my opinion it seems like a fantastic way to follow up a record such as Unconquered and displays Quach’s ability to achieve such contrasting moods through his skillful guitar tone manipulations.

All I can really think about through Blackhaunter, especially during the first couple of tracks, is being outside lost in the dark surrounded by nothing but snow covered terrain with only the moonlight reflecting off of it providing any sort of light. Blackhaunter manages to capture that sort of gloom and hopelessness in expert fashion. Tracks like “Vampyr” and “Taming the Beast” are especially enjoyable to listen to as you can slowly hear various layers fall into place that eventually contribute to each tracks monumental ending full of melted distortion and warped melodies. I won’t say “Hunting Demons” is the most uplifting piece from the album; however it strays away from the impending doom for a few moments and opts for a more weighty melancholic set of melodies that spans almost the entire eight minutes of the track.

thisquietarmy – Vampyr [MP3]

For those interested in picking up Blackhaunter then head on over to Elevation Recordings. It’s limited 1000 copies and once their gone they will be gone for good. However if you’re into the digital thing these days, then there is always MP3’s available for purchase at Emusic, etc. Enjoy!

Just recently released at the end of this past March was the debut from Thisquietarmy titled Unconquered out on Foreshadow Records. Some may already be familiar with Thisquietarmy and that the man behind the moniker, Eric Quach, is also a guitarist for the fantastic post-rock/shoegaze group Destroyalldreamers. Taking his love for fuzz and ambiance further (which is already hinted at in the space defiant band names), Quach has turned to his solo project for an outlet and the results of it certainly speak for itself.

Unconquered is a record that takes on a few different shapes and sounds as it progresses through the eight tracks that make up the album. The opener “Immobilization” is a fantastic joint effort between Quach and guest collaborator Aidan Baker. To little surprise it resembles Baker’s work on his past textural/ambient albums and it’s obvious that the two teamed together create a fairly captivating creative force. However, one of the things that makes Unconquered such a strong debut is that Quach doesn’t try to mimic these results for the rest of the album and the structure and mood shifts considerably after the first track. It follows up on the next couple tracks with a semi-abrasive wash of rising and falling distortion. “Battlefield Arkestrah” is a notable punishing piece of work, which is featured further below. One of my favorite tracks off the album is easily “The Great Escapist”, which features vocals from female singer Meryem Yildiz. The implementation of vocals is a fantastic addition and although it may be one of the more structured tracks on the album, it still fits right along with the rest of the album.

While Unconquered may not be something completely new to drone/ambient fans, it’s surely something that should and likely will be enjoyed by fans of the genre. Quach’s execution and unique approach to the genre is certainly worth checking out.

Thisquietarmy – Battlefield Arkestrah [MP3]

For those looking to pick up Unconquered, it is currently available through Tonevendor. Fans of this sort of music should definitely give it a chance. Also, for anyone that is looking for some more sampling of Thisquietarmy’s music, then definitely download the internet only single that features the excellent non-album track “Dronewars”. In order to do that, just head on over here. Enjoy!

Deathconsciousness by the Middletown, CT duo Have a Nice Life already seems to be generating a bit of buzz across the internet and it’s only been out for a few days now. On top of that it’s self-released by the band on their own label Enemieslist, so it’s a bit surprising to see it getting such wide amount reaction so quickly. When I first caught wind of this record I really didn’t know what to expect from it. I saw that it was a double disc lo-fi affair that listed big time names like Swans, Sunn O))), Joy Division, and My Bloody Valentine. That left me a bit worried, more so the two disc part. You never know what possibly lies ahead when taking on something like that. However, Have a Nice Life have completely risen to the occasion and produced a double album that should gather steam as the year moves forward as the positive responses continue to roll in. I assume they will, because it’s pretty good.

The aforementioned comparisons, influences, or whatever they are supposed to serve as are a pretty rough indicator as to what this sounds like. I’ll go ahead and say it completely took me by surprise when listening to Deathconsciousness the first time through. Each song is almost of a different style than the other while still maintaining the cold detached ambiance the whole record basically soaks itself in. When entering the Enemieslist website there is a note saying that the band has proclaimed it the “most depressing record in the history of music”. I’m generally not too big on that sort of thing, but it definitely is one dark and bleak sounding record. Plus, they did include a full 80 page book with the record to back it up and explain the full meaning behind it. I have to commend them for that. The music though is for the most part excellent. As I mentioned every song is something a bit different, although the drum machine programming can be a bit repetitive at times. Ranging from full on drones laced with sparse textures to fuzz filled beauty, it’s a full listening experience that must be heard from start to finish. There are portions that remind me at times of some of the earlier 4AD stuff as well.

Deathconsciousness comes as a wonderful surprise for me in 2008, and I am thinking it will be the same for some others out there. Definitely take a listen to a couple cuts from the record below.

Have a Nice Life – Bloodhail [MP3]
Have a Nice Life – I Don’t Love [MP3]

For those looking to pick up Deathconsciousness head on over to Enemieslist and drop them an e-mail and they’ll be able to fix you up. Enjoy!

I’ve written about Aidan Baker on here before but it was more so focusing on his collaboration/side project with Leah Buckareff called Nadja. So it’s nice to finally get to say a few things about one of Baker’s latest solo discs out now on The Kora Records entitled Scalpel. Baker has tried his hand in many different areas of music and it’s always amazing to here the outcome, as more often than not the results are excellent. There have been records that dabble more in psych, kraut, ambient, drone, and so on. However here on Scalpel, Baker has combined a familiar ambiance within his body of work with folk music for something that is loosely being dubbed as his “folk/drone” album. I really didn’t know what to make of that at first. I suppose a description like that shouldn’t be too hard to really figure out, but still it was intriguing.

The album opens with the track “K” and greets the listener with the simple plucking of an acoustic guitar that as the song moves forward begins to merge into a dreamy backdrop of sound. Everything seems so incredibly delicate, which is only enhanced by the overall sparseness throughout the recording. One of the many things that I really enjoy about Scalpel however is the increased focus on Baker’s vocals, which have gradually become a part of Baker’s sound but not so much to the amount of attention that they receive here. Granted, his vocals are still very subdued, and like the music are softly spoken amongst the strumming of his guitar. The last three tracks on the album are where it really begins to take shape however, in the form of otherworldly drones, strings, and shimmering backdrops that gradually consume Baker’s vocals and guitar into many layers of beautiful sounds. And while drifting and sparse as it may be, there is still a certain feeling of warmth within it all that for me is what makes Scalpel worth many repeated listens. It couldn’t come at a better time either as winter begins to settle itself in here in the Midwest.

Aidan Baker – K [MP3]

I am pretty sure Scalpel is limited to 500 copies, so for those out there that are interested be sure and to hit up The Kora Records before they run out. This is definitely up there as one of Aidan Baker’s best releases. Enjoy!

When I heard the debut full-length Truth Becomes Death from Nadja in 2005, it was near the end of the year and I was already starting to compile my top 20 list. Before I could ever finish the list I found myself enjoying Nadja’s own brand of blown out ethereal drone more and more. At the time I hadn’t heard much like it, or really anything for that matter. Jesu’s debut album came out the same year, but even that didn’t match the wall of noise that Nadja had to offer. This was a different kind of monster that combined melodicism and beauty with slow shifting walls of metallic distortion. Needless to say my first exposure to Aidan Baker’s prolific side project ultimately forced me to alter my year end list for ’05, which is quite a testament to the power of their music.

Now here we are in 2007 and Nadja has gone on to release a number of other great releases on various different labels. With a few releases already under their belt for ‘07, Nadja is set to release their latest excursion into droning bliss territory titled Guilted by the Sun, which will be released on August 7th through Elevation Records. Those who pick this up will be greeted with a bit of a different side to Nadja. Those expecting the trademark slow moving ambient pieces that have come to define the duo will be surprised to hear a heavier side. Still drowning in electronic fuzz, Guilted by the Sun strays away slightly from the usual slow burning guitar sound and instead experiments with a chunkier/sludgy approach. It provides an interesting and different look into Nadja’s seemingly endless and expansive sound. It also furthers the idea that Baker can take on just about anything and probably do it with such high quality results as this. He hasn’t let me down yet. Although the approach is a bit unusual for what fans of Nadja have come to expect over the years, there is still plenty here that they will like…including lots of feedback.

Nadja – By [MP3]

For those interested in picking this one up, I suggest doing it rather quickly as this EP is limited to just 2,000 copies and will NOT be reprinted once it’s gone. So head on over to Insound and pre-order a copy of Guilted by the Sun. It’s well worth it.

I honestly forget who told me to listen to Zelienople a few years ago, but whoever it was I owe them. Although I initially got into the band because of their dreamy ambient sounds, it’s been interesting to hear them grow into a much more psych-folk/drone sound, which they’ve done very well I might add. After releasing albums on various labels such as Root Strata and Last Visible Dog, the band has found themselves a part of the Type roster for the release of their latest effort His/Hers.

It only took me until the second song “Moss Man” to think that this might be some of my favorite material that they’ve released. As soon as His/Hers completed I was pretty much positive. The album is a slightly different one for Zelienople in the fact that it shows a bit more of an abrasive side to the band as in the past. Granted, past albums haven’t been completely void of this attribute, but I can’t recall where the band has displayed as much unrest as on this album. Obviously they have left the dreamlike vibe way in the past and aren’t looking back, as this is far from sounding like any dream that a person would ever want to have. With each track pushing the ten minute mark, there is still plenty of room for the bands psych folk noodling which is showcased most notably on “Parts Are Lost”. Regardless of what the band is dwelling in, Matt Christensen’s vocals are as hauntingly distant as I’ve ever heard them and it really couldn’t accompany what the members of the band are churning out behind them any better. The end result is forty five minutes of hazy drugged out murkiness that absolutely echoes with sadness and desperation throughout, a perfect record for a complete freefall.

Zelienople – Moss Man [MP3]

For anyone that is interested, His/Hers can be picked up over at Type Records. I strongly recommend it.

I’ll come clean; I wasn’t totally sold on the Goslings at first when I listened to them sometime last year. I thought their music was intriguing, however I never spent enough time with it. Now, here in 2006 I’ve finally opened my ears up to their newest release Grandeur of Hair which has been put out through the amazing label aRCHIVE.

Much like last year when I heard the Boris/Merzbow collaboration of 04092001, Grandeur of Hair hit me like a fucking freight train. Immediately on the first track “Own a Car”, they lay into you with an obscene amount of fuzz and distortion that is poured on thick. It’s some of the heaviest and most overblown crunching guitar abuse I’ve ever had a chance to hear. Sure, there might be something out there that out does this, but for now this has my full attention. Underneath all that distortion and noise is where the Goslings do some of their most impressive work. They pull off the difficult task of making something so incredibly abrasive to start with and mold it into a giant warbling ball of beautiful blissful noise. I know, it sounds absolutely absurd, but it’s true. Listen and don’t just do it for a few seconds.

Interestingly enough all of this comes from just a husband and wife duo from Florida, whom after a few hard to obtain CD-R releases have seen the majority of their output re-released this year, which is great. I highly suggest picking those up, as I know I will be going back and trying to get anything I can by these two. They are simply amazing.

Goslings – Own a Car [MP3]
Goslings – Golden Stair [MP3]

For anyone looking to purchase Grandeur of Hair or basically any other of their releases that are still available, head on over to Aquarius Records.

The new Boris album Pink has recently been released here in the US after seeing its initial release last year in their home land of Japan. Had I not used it in my year end top 20 last year, it would of certainly had a spot this year. That being said, Pink is one of Boris’ strongest releases to date, combining a wide collection of past styles and mashing it into one mammoth of an album. The lead track “Farewell” is one of my favorite songs off the album. A slower paced cut that opts out of the doom/sludge area instead for a surprising melodic piece that sounds a bit MBV inspired, which ends up being quite epic as well. However, you can’t get to comfortable with it as the majority of the album dips back into the grittier and dirty Boris that many of their fans have attached themselves to. However, the song could go a long way to show how great this band really is. The production values might be a concern to some, as it’s definitely not the cleanest and quality sounding production ever. However, I’ve always found that to be a strong point for the band giving their songs an even nastier/rocking feel. It’s definitely not for everyone though, which is understandable.

The album has definitely ignited a notable amount hype for the band. This year seems to be the year that many people are starting rant and rave about the them after releasing numerous albums in Japan and some in the US through Southern Lord. However, I will back whatever hype surrounds Boris, as everything they have ever put out has pretty much impressed me. Even more so with the fact that the band pulls off some of the heaviest doom/sludge material I’ve heard then switching it to some fine dirty fast paced rock n’ roll all at the snap of a finger. Amazing really. Give it a try, as it’s better heard than explained. You can do so by picking up Pink through Southern Lord.

Pink:
Boris – Farewell [MP3]
Boris – Blackout [MP3]

And for good measure, a couple more favorite Boris tracks.

Boris/Barebones Split:
Boris – Soul Search You Sleep [MP3]

Various Artists: From Koenji to Eternity:
Boris – Vacuum [MP3]

You can check out Boris’ website over here for more information on releases that are Japan exclusive and various collaborations with such artists as Merzbow.