Review: Haikai No Ku - Temporary Infinity

Woody Guthrie, the folk singer and political activist, famously wrote "This machine kills fascists" on his guitar. On the same lines arch noisemeister Mike Vest (of Bong, Blown Out, 11paranoias amongst others) should have the legend "this machine kills brain cells" on his weapon of choice - his output, regardless of the band, is intense, dense and capable of scrambling the mind of even the most hardened listener. Under the Haikai No Ku banner Vest is ably assisted by Sam Booth (Foot Hair) and Jerome Smith (Female Borstal, Charles Dexter Ward) and between them have created a record of twisted, dark psychedelia, full of feedback, drones and sheer creative genius. 'Temporary Infinity' (out now on Box Records) follows on from previous albums; 2013's 'Sick On My Journey' and 2014's 'Ultra High Dimensionlity'....and while it may reproduce the black hole engulfing power, it also expands the textural palette and creates deliciously dark soundscapes.

The album opens with ‘Saltes of Humane Dust’ and a lush drone that immediately has the speakers all a-quiver. Vest's guitar starts building a fuzzy wall of reverb that bass and drums then set about trying to tear down. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the tension mounts and the claustrophobia begins to set in; the sheer density of sound seems to squeeze every thought out of your brain. The tension is lifted occasionally when the guitar momentarily shines like a diamond hit by torchlight....it's like listening to Blown Out's bigger brother. 'Temple Factory' starts in the same manner, with guitar sounding almost laconic, meandering across that rock solid rhythm section, but it remains as heavy as fuck. There is no haste with Vest's playing, no histrionics or showmanship...just heavy and played like he means it (man). 'Blind Summit' is a short track (under 3 minutes) but starts with some glorious feedback, followed by more heavy wah wah over a backdrop of granite and fuzz of such heroic proportions as to level the Himalayas. ‘In the Garden of Sunken Eclipse’ initially comes as a surprise; the same hazy, laid back psych normally associated with Carlton Melton. Like an oasis of calm it shimmers and shines but then....all the dials are turned up to eleven and before you know it you are in the company of Virgil transcending the circles of hell with the guitar wailing like tormented souls. ‘Sea of Blood’ closes the album in style with Vest weaving more demonic spells with his guitar like some psychedelic warlock.

'Temporary Infinity' is the very antithesis of spacerock; while some artists musically explore the cosmos, Haikai No Ku plumb the very depths of the earth to create the same otherworldliness. Where some may soar, Vest et al drill into the bedrock to conjure up psychedelic dystopian visions. This album is dense, twisted but most of all it is damn good....a living testament to the skill and craft of Mike Vest and his colleagues. It is available now from Box Records here (on limited 180g vinyl and digital download)...buy it!