Alastair Galbraith and Constantine Karlis - Radiant
(Emperor Jones)
This album pairs two New Zealand musicians together in an unlikely combination. On paper, Violinist Alastair Galbraith and drummer (for High Dependency Unit) Constantine Karlis seem like half a band; 2/3rds of The Dirty Three, or 1/8th of Godspeed you Black Emperor. But when it comes to whipping up a dense sonic storm, these two are more than enough.
Recorded live (and presumably improvised), the album consists of two tracks.
First, "Radiant." This is 35 minutes of dense, layered violin drones, squeals and loops (Tony Conrad's punk rock alter ego?) which weave their way through propulsive, full-steam drum assaults, subtle cymbal washes and buoyant bursts, rolls and beatings. If this doesn't lull you into a meditative trance, it's sure to send you drifting off to sleep. The relatively short second track (7 minutes), "4 Orbits" is a collage starting with bowed cymbal drones and quiet clatter which builds to a harsh, ringing cymbal and what sounds like light drumming on the violin's strings. A minimal passage leads to the closing section--a melodic din of feedback, shrill squawks, overdriven pounding and crashing cymbals.
Though it may be daunting given the length of the single track that makes up the majority of this release, the payoff is worth it. Lay down, close your eyes and drift.
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