Fss | The Decibel Tolls

Earlier this afternoon I posted a review and some tracks from sunny shoegazers The Legends, saying the album was perfect for these warmer months. But I failed to include the Sunn o))) fans in this conversation, many of whom probably find summer to be “lame,” and probably make up a healthy portion of this blog’s readership. Never fear, Chicago’s FSS label just dropped a new doosey by the metal-informed noise/power ambient Grief No Absolution.

Grief No Absolution is truth in advertising. This is suffocating, horrifying, paranoid music – the soundtrack you hear when you’ve been demoted a circle of hell or two for insolence. The group, who formed in 2008 in the orb of primordial ooze that rotates near the Earth’s core, makes Khanate look like more of a “pastel black.” GNA will be releasing two vinyl EPs next month, Eurostopodus Argus and Crypsis, which will also be available for purchase as a single package download. Both EPs play as a full single movement, so the MP3 below is simply an out-of-context taste of what you can expect. Enjoy the sample, then boogie on down to church.

Eurostopodus Argus and Crypsis are available August 10 courtesy of FSS. Celebrate good times.

For fans of: Sunn O))), Wolf Eyes, Earth, Prurient

MP3 :::
Grief No Absolution – My Hands Are Your Fading Cinder

l_1e6c9e89e4a94ee7b4904f447cd870eb Making Post Rock Cool Again

The two music communities most directly responsible for the American post-rock movement are, without much argument, Chicago and Louisville. Since I used to live in the former and currently live in the latter, I suppose I have a natural inclination toward what we know as post rock. In its heyday, post rock was the dominant form of any experimental rock in the indie world, which has since been replaced with the New Weird America dudes. I like both movements myself, but I’m glad to see post rock is making a comeback (particularly since Mogwai’s latter output hasn’t been cutting the mustard). To that end, it’s good to know we have a guy like Bruce Adams, co-founder of Kranky who now runs a new, very art-centric label called Flingco Sound. Of course it’s out of Chicago, and of course the roster is really good (albeit modest right now).

Interbellum is one of these offerings. Hey, remember Rachel’s? Remember how they ruled? Yeah, me too. Interbellum, the project of jazz drummer Brendan Burke, reproduces that exact sunshine through the covers feel wherein minimal stringed instrumentation is utilized to a massive effect. Sparse electronic flourishes and field recordings evoke GYBE and Set Fire to Flames, but with a more cinematic slant. If hopeful chamber noir isn’t a genre yet, let’s make it for Interbellum. The two tracks below can be found on Over All of Spain the Sky is Clear.

artist_group_005 Making Post Rock Cool Again

Haptic is another group of Windy City weirdo rippers, and man, I like “Patience Worth.” So don’t look so glum, chums!

Sure, this sort of ambient approach isn’t for everyone, but if aquatic blips and fuzzy, Basinski-style tape loops pique your interest, make no haste in mashing play on the song. Sparse percussion and flapping static make a great soundtrack for flight. I’m pipping this track in on my next parasailing excursion (dude, I’m not kidding).

There are a couple of other artists on the FSS label worth czeching out, and I would encourage you to do so. Between these offerings and massive groups such as Flowers of Hell, post-rock is coming back for more. And I’m excited.

MP3 :::
Interbellum – Gran Canaria
Interbellum – 6EQUJ5
Haptic – Patience Worth