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AVATAR available as... duration:
150'57" disc
1... disc
2...
Recorded
at Tachyon Studio (13 October & 10+16+30 November 1999). Alan Freeman: synths, guitar, tape loops, gadgets, voice. notes... Amongst the most vividly engaging to date, almost a
mystical experience, destined shudder the senses. The Zen aura of "Qing
Zang" contrasting starkly with the dark psychedelic feel of "An
Orange Pink Psychosis" - and then there are the big pieces! Disc 1 is subtitled "the really deep cosmic
one" and that it is, with the opening "Crashes In Amber
Liquid" setting a vague melodic focus against a dark uneasiness, all
with phenomenally deep dimensions. Take note of the message on the cover:
Warning - this is a full-frequency recording! "Qing Zang" sees us
emulating Monks chanting on the misty plateau in Tibet. Unique! And then we
have the grand opus "The Dream Temple". No guessing with the
inspiration behind the title, as there's definitely Tangerine Dream and Ash
Ra Tempel elements in there, yet this takes us somewhere so strange and vivid
that it sends shivers right down my spine! Disc 2 gained the subtitle "the psychedelic twisted
one" because it almost totally ventures to new Endgame territory, with
the focus on guitars. "Paranoiac-Critical Solitude" scuttles like
nothing I've heard before, and "An Orange Pink Psychosis" (in
particular) is really scary when played loud! And, I'm sure, no-one will
expect the ending to "Anarchy In The System". review... From the increasingly prolific trio Endgame
comes this latest double CD. Recorded over 4 sessions during October &
November 1999 the 7 tracks here represent just a snapshot really of their work
in progress. (Improvisation seems to me to always be ever developing, to be
work in progress). In assembling the pieces for this album Endgame have
labelled each disc with a separate subtitle. So let's start with disc 1.
"The really deep cosmic one" - (by which I take it they mean deep
as in distance rather than claiming to have found the meaning of life!) is
made up of 3 tracks ranging from 12 minutes to a meagre 42 minutes! An
obvious influence/similarity here is the dark semi abstract soundworlds of
Lightwave. Endgame have that same sense of space & movement. But I also
kept thinking of a much earlier sound, that of the improvisations of Amon
Duul 2! Just in small sections, but it's there. Whatever, there is that same
style of exploration going on. With a touch of danger. "The psychedelic
twisted one" - is made up of 4 pieces going from 9 to 35 minutes. (I'm
less sure that the subtitle works here - but never mind). The music while
still having much in common with the first disc does tend to the more avant-garde,
more like Morphogenesis - another acknowledged influence. But I can spot bits
that remind me of Les Vampyrettes or the Moebius & Plank track Solar
Plexus say. I could go on - but I think you get the idea really. This is
improvised music that is well aware of where it's coming from. It's
improvised music with an agenda & game plan. No it's not random noise or
sound, it has a structure even if each piece didn't set out to have one.
Endgame are going into it all with their eyes open - one on the past, one on
the future & one on the present! [Gary Scott - from Audion 45] Versions... |
AVATAR
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