A collaborative sci-fi Drone metal album? Say what???!
Away (Michel Langevin) of Voivod fame and Thisquietarmy (Eric Quach) have been secretly recording music together for some time. They have hours of the stuff apparently and this is phase 1.
I have to say at first glance this album did not fill me with Christmas cheer. I can nod along to some drone every once in a while, but I am often left a little cold by the monotony. I know that I am supposed to let go and drift into the noise but I find myself kicking for the sides and looking for a hook. I am also not the biggest Voivod fan either. Not a hater just one of those that passed me by aside from some dubbed tapes from Penbangers back in the day.
WTF you doing reviewing this then, I am sure some are muttering under their breath?
Well comfort zones are there to jump out of once in a while. Honestly, I am glad I did.
The Singularity, Phase 1 is a gentle yet absorbing ride through an interesting experiment devised by two great musical craftsmen. There are 5 tracks listed here but seeing as they are all named Alpha or Beta with a series of zeroes and ones after I would surmise that this “phase” is meant to be listened to in its entirety rather than broken down into smaller parts.
This album has everything but vocals. Hawkwind style space rock? Oh yeah, Away hits that kit like a 70’s rock god when he needs to whilst a throbbing bassline heads for Alpha Centuri. There are sections that twist and mope like Joy Division slapping Killing Joke with blood-soaked rags and at other times achingly sad echoes that reach out to any passing molecule for some recognition.
There are even parts that are bordering on full on electronica with hints of the Balearics and shoegaze whilst Away drops some beats reminiscent of the loose-limbed greats Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich.
If you fancy an interesting and pleasantly challenging listen that can still help you reach that Zen plateau then this could be the thing for you.
(7.5/10 Matt Mason)
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