After recovering from the sonic assault of the Consumer Electronics LP on Carlos Giffoni's No Fun Productions label, these ears are primed for the label debut and first ever CD release from Nate Young (Wolf Eyes) and Steve Kenney's (Isis & Werewolves) Demons project. The title, Evocation, suggests this is not going to be for the faint hearted. Bring it on...
Detroit, the birthplace of techno, is also the breeding ground for a different kind of electronic music. Using the analog synthesizer, Young and Kenney build abstract analogue worlds which are effortlessly rich and complex in texture. Bubbling synths, shrieking oscillations, gritty sub-bass, high pitch frequencies all carefully considered and sculpted into soundscapes that feel simultaneously gargantuan, claustrophobic and occasionally terrifying.
Opener "Firewalk" begins with deep drones and eventually sounds like a huge fire breathing prehistoric robot annihilating and crushing a city scape into absolute oblivion with glowing red eyes shooting out mighty lasers that sound like Pauline Oliveros at her finest. The tone is set for the tracks that follow however this track ends abruptly and a little prematurely. "Grey Lady" begins with dissonant tones and then what sounds like a demonic cyborg cat vomiting square waveforms. As the track progresses the synths become even murkier and discomforting until they sound like phasing chain-saws warming up for a mass murder. This is bleak future doom that owes as much to the BBC Radiophonic Workshop as it does to Throbbing Gristle. Playback at high volume is recommended for the full effect which allows the listener to fully visualize these darkly psychedelic sound worlds. The piece comes to a close with the whole thing sounding like it's collapsing in on its self.
"Pre-existence" sounds like a post apocalyptic, windswept landscape being investigated by beings from another world. The sounds of nuclear winds and the blaring, thunderous hum of their crafts engines hovering over the land as the disturbing sounds of alien life forms can be heard in the distance. This is a piece that's extremely vivid and is my personal favorite on the CD. It's a popular misconception that artists working within the "noise" scene merely create mindless ear shredding aggressive noise. To those critics I would urge them to listen to this brilliantly conceived slice of pure analogue science fiction which is reminiscent of KK Null's recent output. A fourth and final untitled track which has no mention on the artwork is also included. This continues the vibe which runs throughout using many of the same textures with the addition of some sounds which border on being rhythmic. Electronic pulses shoot from all directions while a booming rumble that Lustmord would be proud of creates a hazey druggy state. The powerful almost seizure inducing occasional blasts of noise are reserved for the final stage of the album and are used sparingly. As the track closes I'm left wanting a little more yet some of the earlier moments were so awesome that wanting more is just expecting too much.
I knew this was going to be an interesting listen as I'm familiar with a couple of previous Demons titles. I was not expecting to be blown away, as I have listening to the peak moments of "Evocation". This is some of the darkest, futuristic music I have heard all year. A stunning work created by a pair of visionaries who deserve the attention of anyone who cares about electronic music and analogue synthesizers.
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