V/A . XII Caesars
Somnambulant Records (2004) CDR



Bestia Centauri: Gaius [mp3]

Axone: Domitian [mp3]

An unusually effective compilation project that remains consistent and engaging within a strong theme despite having musics
from disparate sources. Here the sonic meditations of varied artists come together in a rich and unified vision of the nefarious reigns of Rome's dictators.
Each Caesar's profile is painted in it's own dark electronic soundscape;
from the pounding, staticky brutality of Exsanguinate's "Julius Caesar"
to the twisted electronic environments of Murderous Vision's "Tiberius",
from the shimmering synthetic richness and bending mutations of Bestia Centauri's "Gaius (Caligula)"
to the howling, droning desolation of Axone's "Domitian" each work carries it's own personality but contributes to the ultimate portrait,
a deep and pensive look into these dark, dramatic figures of human history.
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Birchville Cat Motel . With Maples Ablaze
Scarcelight Recordings (2004) CD



untitled track 4 [mp3]

untitled track 10 [mp3]

A beautiful and quiet symphony of environmental recordings with droning electronics and assorted guitar, percussion, and radio noises,
With Maples Ablaze sketches and strokes a calming and spacious soundtrack of depth and introspection.
The effort of over 2 dozen contributing musicians, Brichville Cat Motel peacefully melds natural sounds with highly processed
ambient musics; the effect is like gazing at a slow moving thunderstorm or fields of wind-blown wildflowers through thick, ever-unfocusing glasses.
This is a work that impresses at first, and then continually grows on you, as you discover the delicate details that have been
etched into the sound with great care.
A unique recording that navigates and fuses sounds of natural beauty with human musical performance and electronic sonorities.
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Mammal . Double Nature
SNSE (2003) CD



Double Nature [mp3]

I was once fortunate enough to be in possession of some sensory organs called "eardrums".
It is probable I lost them during my recent exposure to the hardcore noise onslaught of Mammal's Double Nature.
Delivered with extreme prejudice are blistering, overdriven frequencies shaped into improvisatory noise solos
that have direction and purpose, exploring the far extremes of the sonic spectrum. Screeching,
piercing ring-modulated tones and saturated, crackling electronics drive sonic nails into a dulled, throbbing headache.
But it's so well done that it's easy to find oneself listening repeatedly . . . willing to endure the pain to discover
Double Nature's unmatched levels of sonic intensity.
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