American Band - American Band's First album [Blossoming Noise - 2006]This is the American bands first release, though I’m sure the members names will be recognisable to many: Jason Crumer on electronics (FACEDOWNINSHIT, Amazing Grace), Matt Franco (Air Conditioning) on guitar, vocals & electronics and Lee Counts on metal. Not surprisingly with these names involved, this does raise one hell of a racket. Much like pouring battery acid in ones ears or falling down a staircase, though they managed to vary the pace from all out attacks- to bringing in more rhythmic and drone elements, moving towards tense ambient states. Things start up very fiery indeed with the live Bone Skirt. The track start's off slowly, with growing scuttling sounds, which gives enter to a building wall of noise, much like the feeling of been trapped in a tunnel as an stream train is slowly approaching. They build and pile the steam and a low earth grumbling sound together- in a wonderful fashion- it almost feels some how organic. This is Before more buzzing static banks appear, and a low whole boring sound can be heard at the base of the track, this soon takes over from the steam rush and develops into air escaping from a high pressure hose. All the time thier building depth and texture to the composition, but also make sure every element is heard. Through it’s 20 minute life the track is interesting ,varied and brutal of course. General's Lament finds them starting with a unpleasant growing drone, slowly it builds up dark and dank glamour, as a low tuning static loop is added just seething under the drone- like the growing sound of crowd chatter. As it nears the mid-way point,the drone is abused and beating by noise body shots, before the drone been complete drowned in a tidal wave of rip and roaring noise. The track Terrified finds the listener in a very chopy and vicious static sea, different pitch of sound burns appear from the ocean roar, threaten to throw you off balance, and fully pull you under. Through out the tracks pace stop & starts, explodes, and crack's in a rewarding and painful fashion. A very enjoyable near on hour audio assault. I look forward to hearing more from this project in the future, as they seem to nicely balance sound battery and texture variation. To buy direct and hear some samples dive in here Roger Batty
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