Both of these efforts can trace their influences back to Sunn O))), but each head in a different direction.
The Immortal Samsara Travelers – Hanging Gardens in Glacial Apocha (2023; Utech Records)
This 60-minute collaboration between Stanley Christiaensen and Robert Halloran has the requisite long-held power chords but also employs synth, percussion, weird vocalizations, and noisy interludes of free improv. Some of the latter is rather quiet, with bells and static fading below the threshold of hearing with only a bassy rumble remaining. But the distorted and feedback-laden passages are compelling and exhibit a sense of spaciousness – maybe even psychedelia – rather than just crushing overdrive. Hanging Gardens in Glacial Apocha will be released on June 2 by Utech Records.
Droneroom – Rusted Lung (2023; Ramble Records)
Blake Edward Conley provides three long exercises in sculpted distortion on this release. He takes an active approach to his chording while keeping the level of grind turned way up. Along this journey, he incorporates subtle aspects of Blues and Americana. Using plenty of effects, these long improvisations echo and shimmer, exhibiting an earthy twang to offset the heaviness. Also, unlike many recordings falling into this loose genre, Conley incorporates subtle soloing with his drones. Nonetheless, Conley goes all out on the 15-minute title track with powerful progressions and controlled feedback in addition to angular solos. Rusted Lung was released on April 28 by Ramble Records.
Avant Music News 