Viviankrist - Morgenrode

Album: Morgenrøde

Artist: Viviankrist

Label: Cold Spring

Catalogue  no: CSR268CD

Tracklist:

    1.      Silent Soul

    2.      Spring Storm

    3.      Spite Spits

    4.      Morgenrøde

    5.      Black Out

    6.      Cactus

    7.      Higher Minded

    8.      Pleasure of Confusion

Viviankrist might be more familiar to some of you as Vivian Slaughter, bassist/vocalist of doom/black metal band Gallhammer. On this release from the UK’s Cold Spring label, we get to hear a ‘lighter’ expression of brutality and dissonance from her (lighter is used here in a relative sense, compared to her work with Gallhammer that is). Having described it thusly, do not for one millisecond think that this is any less challenging and in your face than her usual oeuvre; indeed I would go so far as to say that it’s a necessary counterpoint to the all-out attack of Gallhammer. This certainly isn’t a walk in the park on a nice sunny day. Whereas Gallhammer is all blackened crustiness Morgenrøde (the Norwegian for ‘dawn’) is painted in technicolour brightness but its obtuseness signifies the collapse of everything held dear, as the sun melts and the sky and earth bleed.

Album opener ‘Silent Soul’ is a blast of industrial noise, groans, and sirens, pinning Viviankrist’s manifesto to the tumbledown wall of some decayed manufacturing complex. Not as dense and lightless as you might expect given Viviankrist’s pedigree, it’s nevertheless the soundtrack to disintegration and annihilation. However, this is where it gets interesting: the following tracks diverge from here on in, cutting back on the nuclear nightmare of attenuated blasts and granular distortions and instead presents us with overtly analogue electronics, bleeps, rumblings, and twisted mutant disco beats. This approach does nothing to dilute the vein of utter despair and darkness running through every aspect of Morgenrøde.

Listening to the album I was reminded of early, pioneering electronic musical exploration, computer-driven rather than through the agency of a musician. This is not an affectation – it emphasises the ungraspable something beyond that lies behind the disruption of order and structure. It’s cold and impersonal music, and inhuman. Every piece has a steel edge, bright stabs of danger, and dissipating energy. Furthermore, despite some of its funkier, syncopated moments don’t let yourself be beguiled or deceived: this is a canvas painted with dust, rust, and waste, the hues subdued and darkened, and its atmosphere claustrophobic.

In other words it’s excellent and perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

Psymon Marshall 2019

Emil Siemeister / Z'EV & Kommissar Hjuler Und Frau

Emil Siemeister / Z'EV & Kommissar Hjuler Und Frau ‎– Fluxus Often Reminds Me Of Biathlon. Psych.KG – Cassette – 2018 - https://psychkg.bandcamp.com/

A1           –Emil Siemeister            Corpus Organum (Trockenefrah) pt.1     

A2           –Emil Siemeister              Corpus Organum (Trockenefrah) pt.2     

B             –Z'EV & Kommissar Hjuler Und Frau         Der Muter Objekt

I confess to being in the grey about most of the artists on this tape, I’ve read quite a lot of Zev interviews and only have one album by Kommissar Hjuler Und Frau, but I enjoyed all those things mentioned if that’s any consolation. Emil Siemeister is a visual artist who does some good artwork, I looked at the work and I liked, he does some really good drawings. But in truth I’m going in here blind.

Things scrape, twang, clang and clatter, a steady abstract percussion builds, it’s purposely challenging to hear – but the communication is clear throughout the work. It reminds me in part of some of the early Smegma live experiences that I have seen. The first Corpus becomes stronger and stronger as it unfolds. The second Corpus is way more aggressive and confrontational in how it is played out. I know it isn’t ‘Industrial’ but the raw nature of this work and serious metal abuse is as Industrial as it gets, perhaps too Industrial for some listeners. But as each work builds and finds its momentum, things become exciting. On a raw level this is great.

The Der Muter Object piece is really slow and dark. I feel it could be slowed down voices overlaid; the only clear voice is the opening voice. It functions as a slow, dreamlike – nightmare piece of work, Der Muter Objekt rolls, shifts and descends on itself continuously in slow motion. Advanced is a word that comes to mind, this is very effective, brilliantly executed work.

All the artists on here have made challenging, strong work. This tape - all I can say is wow!

Choppy Noodles 2019.