When I
first heard about Zaum from Canada,
all I had was some video/audio snippets. It was enough to pique my interest
toward the release of their album, 'Oracles'. At the same time, I was
slightly leery since I had only heard bits and pieces and no full songs but all
my worries were unfounded. Zaum has created a masterpiece, a truly
one-of-a-kind album of the highest order full of amazing visions and suggestive
sounds. What's even more impressive is that 'Oracles' is Zaum's debut
which promises so much for the future.
For a
band that is just over a year old, this duo must have had a very clear distinction
on what they wanted to do from the get-go. What I mean is Kyle Alexander
McDonald and Chris Lewis' performance and song writing skills are second to none. To me, they knew exactly what to do and how. If I'm wrong, which I have
been many times in the past, and they conjured their magic through jam sessions
only, then holy fuck I want to be a fly on the wall in their rehearsal space!
Taking
the trippy Middle Eastern Mantra Doom to heights unknown, the four songs
featured on 'Oracles' are hypnotic, transcendental, heavy, punishing and
other-wordly. Synth soundscapes blend into the pulse of bass guitar and drums
with a sitar bringing suggestive Middle Eastern tones. Never really going
beyond a slow pace adds to the mystique, and hallucinatory effects create
visions I have never seen before. This is so magical and soothing yet there is
a dark feel lurking in the background waiting to pounce at any minute.
Long,
minimalistic and droning passages will induce you into a trance. And the very
moment you lose yourself, Zaum alters the tempo enough for you to catapult
into worlds unknown. Let it envelop you and let go. What you will experience is
cleansing and total enlightenment while being exposed to a musical
revelation. I have heard many bands working within the same sphere as Zaum but
no one gets close to what these Canadians are doing. 'Oracles' is that
rare release where a band is doing something totally new. Musical influences
are there but there is no way of pin-pointing them or even really hearing them.
And that's another beautiful thing about this duo.
What is
left to say about Zaum? Go buy a copy of their debut. It is
a must-have in any music collection. Multi-intrumentalist and singer Kyle
Alexander - bass guitar, sitar, synth and textures - and his partner in crime,
drummer Chris Lewis, have tapped into a well of strange and beautiful music
that, if nurtured right, can be endless and amazing. Truly one of 2014's best
releases....check it out, you hear!
-
Swedebeast
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