Genre: Ritual / Experimental

19 untitled tracks.

Normally I’d comment on the fact that there are nineteen untitled tracks on this release. Normally I’d say something scathing along the lines of ‘lack of imagination’. Normally. However, this isn’t so much nineteen untitled tracks, more like one track split into nineteen parts. And as for ‘lack of imagination’, perish the thought, having listened to this a goodly number of times now a lack of anything just doesn’t come into the equation.

Via Sinistrae is a collection of artists from the Black Note Music stable. Chiefly performed by Kyron, The Tower features the vocal talents of a further six members of the collective, each of whom brings their own distinctive style to bear throughout the performance which was performed live in February 2006.

To start things off the introduction, or track 01 if a label is required, is reminiscent of early Scorn releases, hypnotic and dub like. This soon mutates into a discordant mash of frequencies, bass and feed back, within which something stirs attempting to take form. The sounds of brass and wind instruments pulled into weird and interesting shapes, and skittering percussion swirling back and forth. This eventually begins to coalesce into more recognisable form, and takes on a slightly upbeat tempo, entering the realm on tribal dance music. Shamanic techno anybody?

Track 05, and the rhythmic funkiness is joined by a collage of heavily filtered vocals before changing form completely, becoming less organic and verging now on the industrial side of things. A solid kick drum and a pounding sub bass overlay subtle percussive elements before being joined in the mix by an almost demonic vocal sample, which growls and snarls like a caged beast, pinned in place by the regular beat of the drum.

Halfway through now, and so far elements of dance music, dub, rhythmic ambience and shamanic chanting have all played major parts in the construction, this was where any thoughts I had regarding ‘lack of imagination’ bit the dust. Although far from the sort of music I would actively seek out, this is a wonderful, surprising piece of work. No chance here to get bored, everything is constantly shifting and evolving. The mood also shifts, from blessed out vocals and euphoric trancelike passages, through to darker and more ominous tracts of confusion and near chaos.

Track 11 is exceptional. A solo female voice that conjures up images of clear blue skies, invokes a feeling of inner calm and serenity, and is almost too blissfully beautiful for words. The last time a piece of music had this effect on me was over ten years ago and required a fair amount of recreational psychedelics. That Via Sinistrae has replicated this through music alone is high praise, especially coming from a grouchy noise junky like me.

But I digress, back to the job at hand. Leaving the light that is track 11 behind; we are slowly drawn into a darker, deeper and slightly sinister place. From euphoric trance to heavy, introverted dub, and seamlessly done. The mood becomes darker, vocals are torn and distorted, the beats are fractured and the bass fades away, leaving a single kick that accelerates to a manic tempo before being joined by organic sounding percussive elements and subtle vocals that are stretched and tormented, pulled into almost painful shapes. As further beats are added to mix, a groove emerges, still at a rapid pace, but becoming a rather funky affair. Pieces of the previous tracks are woven in and eventually come together to create what can best be described as tribal techno, hypnotic and driving. I’m inclined to turn out the lights and throw myself around to it, but I resist the urge. For now.

The following few tracks gradually deconstruct, stripping away layers and folding what remains, slowing and fading, leaving a sense of space and calm as it subtly breaks down to a single oscillating tone and vocal loop that flows from sight, leaving us all too soon in silence.

As previously stated, this not the sort of release I would choose to listen to, and my initial thoughts regarding the whole were to say the least, negative. I’m glad to say my preconceptions have been washed away, my views on this style of music completely upended. It’s not very often I can say this about music but in this case I’m happy, very happy to do so. Take this as a high recommendation indeed. Locate and listen to this release, better yet, locate and attend a live performance should the chance arise. Not only will you experience something unique and special, you’ll also make me very, very envious indeed.

I’ve gushed enough over The Tower, what more can I say? I leave it the discerning music fan to discover for themselves why this so special, and by discerning music fan I mean everyone. What are you waiting for?