Zun - "Burial Sunrise" (Album Review)

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 25/03/2016

Label: Small Stone Recordings

The slowness of “All That You Say I Am” or the moment in “All For Nothing” that the bass loses its raunchiness and transforms into a lush swelling of lower tones, define this record. The mood is laid back, the pretense is absent, and the vocals that drift by like a breeze on a cold night add up to something special.  “Burial Sunrise” is a record that is musically spot on as well as one that encapsulates the spirit and soul of Desert rock.

“Burial Sunrise” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Nothing Farther

2). Into the Wasteland

3). All For Nothing

4). Come Through the Water

5). All That You Say I Am

6). Solar Incantation

The Review:

Zun’s “Burial Sunrise” is pushed by serene melodies that reflect the peacefulness of a clear and vast night sky. Helmed by none other than Gary Arce (Yawning Man) and fronted by two of the most recognizable voices in the desert - John Garcia (that guy from Kyuss) and Sera Timms (Ides of Gemini) – Zun’s debut has been regarded as one of the most anticipated albums of the year. To further support this claim, there’s Mario Lalli (Fatso Jetson) on bass, Robby Krieger (The Doors) on electric sitar, Bill Stinson (Ten East) on drums, and Harper Hug (Brant Bjork) playing the role of producer as well as contributing some drum tracks and synths.

Despite the cast of musicians, I’d hesitate to call Zun a supergroup. There’s a unified vision on “Burial Sunrise,” and a unified vision is not something that is inherent in the concept of a supergroup. This makes for a sense of togetherness and in doing so avoids the potential pitfall of each contributing musician fighting for the limelight. Sure, Zun might have been put together by Arce, but there´s no sense that this is his band or that he is the boss. The sounds and grooves contributed to “Burial Sunrise” by this family of musicians therefore sound free, like everyone involved had the greater good of the record as their goal. This chemistry has resulted in an arresting mix of spacious melodies, malleable grooves, and a laid back atmosphere.

This being a collective effort is the through-line of the six songs that make up “Burial Sunrise.” Arce’s guitar is instantly recognizable in that he writes sounds, not riffs. Arce uses Zun to continue his quest in experimenting with effects, driving the mood of the record by way of hypnotic passages. His playing is underscored by a rolling rhythm section which keeps a steady push to the meandering songs, upon which Garcia and Timms are able to build. Be it the march of “Into the Wasteland” or the to and fro of “Come Through the Water,” the bass and drums are kept in the center of the mix, having the other instruments rotate around them like planets rotating around the sun. Both rhythmic and free, Zun has succeeded in capturing the psychedelic sound of the low desert.

This relaxing vibe resonates through these songs. The slowness of “All That You Say I Am” or the moment in “All For Nothing” that the bass loses its raunchiness and transforms into a lush swelling of lower tones, define this record. The mood is laid back, the pretense is absent, and the vocals that drift by like a breeze on a cold night add up to something special. Neither Garcia nor Timms have been hired to help sell this record, they are just straight up a perfect fit for these songs. Garcia’s quiet croon in album opener “Nothing Farther” is unintelligible but no less a key ingredient in the overwhelming vibe of the track. Timms adds to this with her melancholic delivery, allowing her voice to seep through all of the empty spaces in the mix, pushing the music far apart which in turn adds to the spaciousness of the album.

“Burial Sunrise” is a record that is musically spot on as well as one that encapsulates the spirit and soul of Desert rock. Zun will probably never tour and might not even make another album, but “Burial Sunrise” makes for a worthy stopgap for each one of these artists involved. It’s nice to hear something as fresh as Zun while waiting for that new Yawning Man album to make the scene.

“Burial Sunrise” is available here

Band info: facebook

The Sludgelord News: IDES OF GEMINI Announces US Live Rituals With Mountain Goats

West Coast atmospheric sound conjurors, IDES OF GEMINI, will bring their sonic rituals to the stage this Spring supporting indie folk rock trio, Mountain Goats. Slated to commence on April 2nd, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee, the journey will coil its way through seventeen cities coming to a close April 23rd, 2015 in Millvale, Pennsylvania.

"We are beyond thrilled to be going on tour with Mountain Goats this Spring," IDES OF GEMINI guitarist J. Bennett says. "And we're honored that John Darnielle and his bandmates chose to bring us along for the ride. I can't think of another bill that's quite like this one, so I've gotta give them huge props for taking a chance on us and doing something different."

IDES IF GEMINI w/ Mountain Goats:

4/02/2015 Mercy Lounge - Nashville, TN

4/03/2015 Grey Eagle - Asheville, NC

4/04/2015 The Jinx - Savannah, GA

4/07/2015 Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC

4/08/2015 9:30 Club - Washington, DC

4/09/2015 Webster Hall - New York, NY

4/11/2015 City Winery - New York, NY

4/12/2015 City Winery - New York, NY

4/13/2015 Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA

4/14/2015 House of Blues - Boston, MA

4/16/2015 Bogart's - Cincinnati, OH

4/17/2015 Majestic Theatre - Detroit, MI

4/18/2015 Vic Theatre - Chicago, IL

4/19/2015 Cedar Cultural Center - Minneapolis, MN

4/21/2015 Headliners - Louisville, KY

4/22/2015 Wexner Center - Columbus, OH

4/23/2015 Mr. Smalls Theatre - Millvale, PA

IDES OF GEMINI features Bennett, drummer Kelly Johnston-Gibson and the haunting vocal prowess of singer/bassist Sera Timms, also of West Coast dark-psych conjurors Black Mare. The trio will be touring in support of their critically championed Old World New Wave full-length releasedin September via Neurot Recordings. Captured at Valley Recording in Burbank, California, engineered and mixed by Chris Rakestraw (Danzig) and mastered by Grammy award winning producer Matt Hyde (Slayer), Old World New Wave offers up nine tracks of dark, mesmerizing soundscrapes. Bearded Gentlemen Music crowns the record "...an enjoyable dream-doom filled sonic journey from start to finish," while Noisey notes, "...there's enough droney doom on [Old World New Wave] to make you feel like you're stuck in David Lynch's dreams." Invisible Oranges gushes, "IDES OF GEMINI has a knack for atmosphere, for creating a world of sound and inviting the listener in. Their music has the feel of a classic horror film: all psychology, no fake blood or cheap startles. If there's a goth revival afoot in metal culture - and, given last year's releases by In Solitude, Beastmilk and others, there's certainly an argument to be made for that - then IDES OF GEMINI is among its most evocative front-runners." Adds Decibel, "A stark blend of black metal-derived guitar riffs, rigid, martial beats, and the haunting, gothic vocal harmonies of bassist Sera Timms and drummer Kelly Johnston-Gibson, this album washes over the listener, feeling simultaneously comforting and unsettling. Better yet, there are moment that see the band exploring more hook-oriented material... which makes you wonder just how much the band's 2013 tour with Ghost B.C. had an effect on them."

IDES OF GEMINI's Old World New Wave is out NOW on CD and digitally via Neurot Recordings and on vinyl via SIGE Records. For CD orders, point your browser HERE and for T-shirt bundles, point your browser to THIS LOCATION. 

http://www.idesofgemini.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/IdesofgeminI
http://www.idesofgemini.bandcamp.com
http://www.neurotrecordings.com
http://www.facebook.com/neurotrecordings

Source: Earsplit PR

Ides of Gemini - Old World New Wave (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 16/09/2014

Label: Neurot Recordings/SIGE Records

‘Old World New Wave’ CD/DD/LP track listing:

1. Black Door
2. The Chalice & The Blade
3. Seer Of Circassia
4. White Hart
5. May 22, 1453
6. The Adversary
7. Fememorde
8. Valediction
9. Scimitar

Ides of Gemini is:

Jason Bennett | Guitar, Vocals

Kelly Johnston-Gibson | Drums, Vocals

Sera Timms | Vocals, Bass

Review:

Los Angeles based three piece, Ides of Gemini, released their debut album in 2012. The Neurot released ‘Constantinople’ garnered worthy praise. The bands new opus, ‘Old World New Wave’ is another slice of despairing, doom driven rock that isn’t your archetypal doom record. The album is conceptually based on the yin/yang balance. (http://www.revolvermag.com/news/ides-of-gemini-break-down-new-album-old-world-new-wave-track-by-track.html)

Opening up with a rumbling bass line and urgent guitar riff, the haunting vocals are equally mournful and soaring throughout ‘Black Door.’ The chorus lyric of ‘I’m on your side now,’ is majestic. As opening statements go, this is a cracker and it sets the tone for the whole album. The dense guitar work on ‘The Chalice & the Blade,’ is suitably doomy. The repetitive tone of the drums and the guitars are hypnotic and create a sullen mood with more superbly employed vocals. The middle section of the track sees everything stripped back to drums and choral style vocals before the sinister guitar returns the track to its earlier repetitive tone. A magnificent one-two opening!

‘Seer of Circassia’ sets off in the same way as its predecessor with the drumming very sparse and prominent. ‘White Hart’ follows with a great guitar led opening. The mournful tone is beautiful and the twin vocal is haunting and unique. ‘May 22, 1453’ is an odd title for a track, but upon further research this is a link to the fall of ‘Constantinople’ and a lunar eclipse. The subject matter only adds to the mystique that the band create through their other worldly music. ‘The Adversary’ has a quicker pace than some of the other tracks on show here, and feels more aggressive than anything else on the album. The solo on the track and swirling voices, along with a driving riff take the track home with an icier feel.

The bass on ‘Femermorde’ bobs along gently whilst the guitar punches the surface throughout. Penultimate track, ‘Valediction,’ sees the vocals really hit higher than many of the other tracks. The vocal range of Sera Timms is quite incredible. Her harmonies demand your attention over the darker tones of the music to create a unique blend of doom and psychedelia. The album rounds out with ‘Scimitar,’ in a similar vein to many of the other compositions on the album.

Overall, ‘Old World New Wave’ is an accomplished album. Concept albums are always hit and miss. This is more hit than miss. ‘Seventh Son of a Seventh Son’ it is not, however the doomy tones are great; and with the added dose of subtle psychedelia, the mix is exciting. It is the vocals that really stand out for me here though. For the duration, they are dreamy and ethereal. It is the kind of mix that keeps music exciting.

Words by: Dominic Walsh

You can pick up the CD here and Vinyl here

For more information:

http://idesofgemini.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/IdesofgeminI
http://idesofgemini.bandcamp.com
http://www.neurotrecordings.com
http://www.facebook.com/neurotrecordings