Album
Type:
Album
Date
Released:
April 28th
2015
Label:
Bleeding
Light Records
Vast
Arcane - Track Listing
1.Intro
2.Six 03:32
3.Six Point Five
4.Seven
5.Eight
Members:
Lea, Jason
Review:
Any
band with a name that sounds like the ultimate weapon of a 60’S Dr
Who villain is sure to grab my attention. Before listening to Seattle
duo Noise-A-Tron I imagined they might be some kind of kitschy retro
psyche rock band or occupy the opposite end of the spectrum and
deliver a harsh atonal sensory assault. The reality of the band’s
music on “Vast Arcane” however is a more original and captivating
proposition.
Using
a minimal set-up of drums and alternating/interweaving bass and
keyboards, Noise-A –Tron manage to establish huge swirling vortices
of sound. “Intro” sets out the bands stall well, building up
layers of ominous droning while a steady yet intricate rhythm
develops underneath. The track builds to a satisfyingly bleary finale
as a fuzzy two chord bass dirge swells into prominence as the drums
fall away to spacious cymbal crashes. This creation of vast cosmic
soundscapes is something Noise-A-Tron have honed to a fine art on
this release, echoing the endless intergalactic cold evoked by
Tangerine Dream on their 70’s gem “Zeit”. “Vast Arcane”
even shares similar eclipse imagery on the cover recalling the
boundless galaxies of noise within, particularly the yawning black
hole which opens up in the middle of the 14 minute epic “Eight”.
Noise-A-Tron
aren’t just about the drone though; there’s a healthy amount of
riffage to enjoy here as well. “Six” and “Seven” bring
lumbering riffs into play alongside more menacing off-kilter lines
reminiscent of UK bass supremacists Palehorse. These elements weave
seamlessly in and out of towering synth constructions to create a
pretty unique listening experience.
“Six
Point Five” offers a sub-two minute frantic change of pace in the
middle of this release. Sounding not unlike Torche stripped to their
rhythm section and bolstered with buzzing, soaring synths it’s a
stark contrast to the other four tracks here but works well.
“Vast
Arcane” is an intriguing half an hour which has left me hungry for
more Noise-A-Tron. Combining seemingly disparate elements of doom,
noise rock and more soothing sounds the band manage to create a
cohesive whole which is going to appeal to fans of crushing heaviness
as well as lovers of hypnotic drone.
Words
by Charlie Butler
Thanks
to Cat Jones at Southern Cross PR for the promo. Vast Arcane will be
available to buy on DD from BandCamp and on Vinyl through Bleeding Light Records.
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