Umpio - Opium Electronix I-III (Freak Animal): In an era where the 2xC10 reigns supreme, it's refreshing to see a 2xC90 makes it way out there. I always think of Cathartic Process when it comes to noise with generous length, but of course FA is generous too. This is my first time listening to Umpio unaccompanied and in full-length+ form. My first thought is that I am completely and totally sold in this man's music! I think the title is fairly accurate. If I could go back to the old hash days, I'm sure this would take me to the next plane. Tracks range from the 4 minute to 45 minute mark. Each one entering a surreal zone that leaves you completely isolated and absorbed. Slow, careening waves changing ever so subtly. Blatantly psychedelic, without any goofiness in sight. No, this is a very parched psychedelia; neither paranoid or ecstatic. Just hazy as all hell. The second feature is more sublime, but never fully there. The harshness has just subsided some.
Umpio & Concrete Mascara - Concrete Vs Umpio Vs Mascara (Terror/Obscurex): From the disc's first second, I knew this wasn't going to be like the above album. With CM along for the ride, things were bound to be far less restrained. Repeated listens assure me that this is one burly and massive album. Less psychedelic, more spit-in-the-face. As usual, the vocals take away from the solidness of the recording at times. At their best, they are a nice accompaniment, but never seeming totally necessary. Nonetheless, an enjoyable and aggressive affair.
Umpio & irr. app. (ext.) - Observation Affects The Outcome (Monochrome Vision): This is more of the sort of companionship I see Umpio, and myself, reveling in. The cauldrons that irr. app. (ext.) has been able to stir up with Vertonen, At Jennie Richie and Blue Sabbath Black Cheer, for instance, have all been rather magical. The pattern continues here. The ferocity and volume is toned down ever so slightly to allow for something as intoxicating as it is menacing. That lysergic terror shows it's face again, with a filthy grit continually caressing the surface. Umpio, so I assume, adds enough of this to irr. app. (ext.)'s material that it allows for a new entity. In a way, you can't differentiate between who contributes what, and that's always exciting with collaborations. It's neither a stoner fuzz barrage, nor a bad trip.
Nepoštovanje I Glupo - Unutarnji Rat (Total Black): When I think of "rhythmic industrial", I think of this. Equal parts SPK and Will Over Matter - if Harald Mentor were to remain grounded on Planet Earth. Nothing to come back to regularly, but still a really great tapes. If the length were maybe doubled - 15 minutes is just way too short for this sort of atmospheric music - I'd have greater things to say. As long as this project continues on and the fogged over beats don't become too important, I see this becoming something very good.
Pain Nail - Magneettinen Kohtalo (Freak Animal): I never got too head-over-heels for this project, so I slept on this album till now. What a mistake that was! But better late than never, yes. This is one if the most refined PE-territory releases that I have ever heard. Progression is essential here; from start to finish this many-horned beast never let's up its front of percussive, cacophonous dirge. A very unique assembly of recordings, that bleed right into one another in the empty water tower it seems to have been captured.
V. Sinclair - Night Church (Prime Ruin): One of the most interesting new projects born in the underground, if you ask me. Each release treads a new path without contradicting the creator's seeming essence. Whereas the double-tape on Unseen Force was indeed also a varied affair, this one is in a wholly different way. Memoirs Of A Twin was a bit of a sea change with each and every flip, but Night Church stands firmly in its melancholy state while still allowing experimentation to ripple through. There's moments that recall an archaic, bedroom Troum without any mark of the celestial. Other moments remind me of what a lot of this youthful PTSD noise blues going on wishes to be, but he actually nails it.
G*Park - Yack Park (Zabriskie Point): I think I had mentioned earlier in regards to G*Park that there's never much of a major shift in his recordings. I'm starting to realize that it's all about being prepared to enter the constancy of Herr Zeier's sphere. There's nothing really out of the ordinary here, but when I realize that in two decades there's just over a dozen releases, I have to give my admiration. Obviously there is a clear, solid vision at work here. When you're ready, it's waiting for you.
Testicle Hazard - Python In The Bowl (Freak Animal): Take a guess...it's Marhaug and Keränen. All balls!
