v. - På USA Turnée 2002 mp3 download

Westened

The opening track is probably the only piece here which could be described as rhythmic, borrowing from SCORN's post BULLEN period for it's faltering drum pattern. Over and around this are layered a plethora of drones and grinding noise sounds - not grating yet never actually harmonic. It has a mellow, uncomplicated feel to it, a calming discord to the Industrial scrape noise, as if it has been filtered by VIDNA OBMANA into something a lot less abrasive. From here it gains a Lord of The Flies nasty sound which sounds almost like some wind instrument, before beginning to explore a sound area similar to that of MAIN circa "Dry Stone Feed", with layers of noise forming a long languid structure. This shakes most of the trace elements of percussion from it, becoming a deep and enveloping factory ambience. I'd hazard a guess that they use gates to form the long sustains which might at a stretch be deemed 'rhythm'. The length of this piece is surprising - they feel disinclined to move away from the deep enveloping sound (and rightly so) creating a relaxing atmosphere of uncomplicated grey Industrial music. The second track continues the journey with a similar structure - great cubes of soft noise over a filigree spine - what could almost be an alien sos signal. And although it is entirely constructed from a grey Industrial noise, it's nevertheless a cool and relaxing listen. The next piece is a degree more noisy, as if the restful factory were once more coming to life. Again a similar simple structure, yet it's less calming, more urgent, evocative of some ancient alien relic woken from an eon-long slumber and none too happy at it's returning consciousness (think Quatermass And The Pit). The fourth piece is even more aware of itself - a cumbersome bass rhythm held beneath a shimmering keyboard sustain which cycles in subtle phases. This is probably the weakest track here and if judged alone would be far less than representative of the overall V. sound. It gains impetus as it travels on, with what could be deemed 'part 2' being an altogether more interesting exploration of broken electrical loops and Industrial greyness. There's a feeling of BRUCE GILBERT's solo explorations here, which remains as the track passes into the next phase - a simple 4 note background over which the enveloping drone layers once more rise up. It's a good clean live sound which I feel has lost none of it's sonic muscle. I'm intrigued and would like to hear what they could do with a studio album. If you have to file it under specific genre/s, make it Industrial Ambient, as it takes some tasty elements from both. Originally reviewed for Metamorphic Journeyman.