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ZOKU METSU
Zoku Metsu
(2021 - Alrealon Musique - Canada)

https://alrealonmusique.bandcamp.com/album/zoku-metsu-alrn108

[A limited edition of 200 vinyl albums, hand numbered, full color art even on inner sleeve, on 140 gram, beautifully presented and sure to be a collector's item. Get it while you can! Support physical format and help the artist(s) make back some of the money they spend to produce these gems. Most do not know how much the albums cost along with the fees from Bandcamp, Paypal, and any other "middle" taker in the process. ]. Note: I got #184 out of the 200.

Do you miss the headtrip days of 1970 Krautrock, German space-rock and the further experimentations of what Faust and bands in that ilk did?  You will love this then. I must add that Ron Anderson told me that the Krautrock influences were only a starting point. As listeners will witness, the music explores and rolls over territory far past that genre in many instances. One will recognize the craft of Richard Pinhas of the great French band Heldon (as well as his own great solos), the more extreme electronic collages of 'out there' artists from same era (France and Italy  mainly), and even bubbling teutonic endeavors. While I always try to mention familiar comparisons for readers to identify with, I withhold more sound alikes due to the fact that these two artists create new pieces, all their own, and in varied capsules of what their ears and minds put to sound canvas at the time.

Robert L. Pepper (Pas Musique, The Jazzfakers) does  drum programming and plays all keyboards, while Ron Anderson (PAK, The Molecules, Ronruins), plays guitar thru all digital and analog effect modules. Fans of Ron's previous output may be a bit surprised at the distant change of styles from his complex math/metal/progressive/turn on a dime adventures, but this is a sweet kind of shift. One that requires just as much attention for detail and absorption as either of the two musicians here have put out in the past. Robert and Ron are in New York (about 15 minutes from each other) so the isolation we face (still) thru the last 2 years did not totally wreck their project.  Pepper and Anderson first worked together with Philippe Petit and David Tamura,"Closed Encounters of the 4 Minds" (a CD on Public Eyesore Records - 2010).

Note that the label is a independent one that ignores all fashion and rigid business prostitution in the music industry, taking on and spreading music that might never be heard otherwise. A champion label for that alone, in my opinion, and that which sits perfectly beside the whole philosophy of Big Beautiful Noise music magazine.  Another note that I got from Ron is that the album was actually pressed in the Czech Republic (I suspect Alrealon Musique uses this source to both aid in financial sustainable products and as most likely a cordial and simpatico relationship). All songs written and composed by Zoku Metsu. Art by Robert L. Pepper/ Mixed by Robert L. Pepper and Mastered by Ron Anderson.  

The whole affair is based on the chosen words Zoku Metsu as the name of the band. It is an expression  from the Japanese word Zokumetsu meaning “destroy the whole family”. That word translates to ideas of reinventing (and in this case, the reorganizing of studio techniques). So the lazy Susan of rotating designs is of planned concept from the start. This is not a playground of improvisation without smart play, long experience, or deep forethought. It is the difference between same old white bread and new recipe multi-grains.  The headtrip part is of old but the execution is contemporary. The album is a pleasure from start to finish and indeed is a must listen in this very manner. Needle drops are forbidden, headphones late night are suggested.  RECOMMENDED!

  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 10 - 15 -2021



 
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BIG BEAUTIFUL NOISE
 

A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
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ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

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