Review: Primitive Knot - Disciples Of The Black Sun

I thought 2016 was sorted..I had scratched my head and started to formulate my faves of the year...and then this lands on my virtual doorstep. It's not often I'm flabbergasted..it's happened once or twice this year...and it's happened again. Jim from Primitive Knot, a band I didn't know existed, got in touch on the back of the SPR! review I posted recently. It was the run-of-the-mill 'I checked out..... and thought you may like....' type contact, but as I've said before, I give everything a listen. To say I was knocked bandy is an understatement. This album is frankly awesome. Now I'm aware that I always give good reviews...there is too much negativity in this world to give bad ones...and sometimes I do wax panegyrical....what can I say, I love music...but this...this is special! Primitive Knot are a band from Manchester and, in their own words, play music of the "Arcane Ur-Sound" variety....no, me neither...how about 'Psychedelic Gnostic Spacerock'..clearer? well, regardless of how you choose to 'categorise' their music, Primitive Knot are a revelation, mixing krautrock vibes with contemporary electronica with lashings of huge guitar and rich keyboards. The vinyl release will come about thanks to a Crowd Funding initiative, so they've obviously a strong fan base already out there....let's make that a lot bigger!

The delightfully named 'Bastard Scions Of Negative Space' opens proceedings and straight away we are thrown into a maelstrom of genuine krautrock rhythms over which some space guitars, worthy of Hawkwind themselves play. The vocals are down in the mix, echoey and slightly distant, and with a definite post-punk vibe about them. When I say genuine krautrock, I mean genuine as in could have been lifted from Neu!..it's that good. When you throw in some spacey electronica, some ominous drones and those menacing vocals you are left with a frankly astounding track. If I ever compile a list of 'Best Opening Tracks On An Album', this will be very high in the ranking. Glorious! 'The Rites Of Saturn' begin with some synth washes straight from Berlin, 1972 and more fantastic guitars, this time less spacey and more psych. The same vocals imbue it once again with an eighties post-punk feel but overall it has the same Hawkwind play kosmische feel. The drones are rich and luxurious and give things a real depth. Two tracks in and I'm in love...! 'Space Elevator' has a real motorik rhythm, again, as genuine and sincere as any around these days. The spacerock element is just as strong...especially the uber spacey electronica. 'Dimensional Nomads' opens with some electronic swirls and wooshes and some chant like vocals before the now familiar guitars kick in, weaving more space rock magic. The non-chanting vocals have a strangely Depeche Mode circa 'New Life' quality about them but when in full chant mode, combined with the primeval drums give this track a ritualistic aspect. The power in some of the electronica matches that of the guitar; the predominant drone is chest-crushingly deep. 'Musta Aurinka' opens with another metronomic motorik rhythm..steady and steadfast...over play some retro synths and more cosmic effects. This track is pure Tangerine Dream/Klaus Schulze at its heart, only the eerie snatches of vocals and a steady static hum in places belying its modernity. For someone who worships at the altar of Tangerine Dream, this is truly great stuff. 'Manifestations Of The Outer Gods' brings the album to a close. A single drone plays off into the distance, more mystical chants, flashes of electronics and a single drum beat are all that punctuate the meditative hum. A deeper, more menacing drone kicks in, lifting the mood from one of eternal musing to one of infernal damnation. As quickly as it appears, this foreboding drone lifts, leaving just the original drone, chanting and keyboards. The track, indeed the album, leaves the listeners with existential questions, such is the power and potency.

I case you've not guessed..I really love this album. Musically it brings together all that I love about music....the insistent kosmische rhythms, some wonderful electronica straight from the Berlin school, dense, cavernous drones and some soaring psychedelic guitars. If I had any musicality myself (which I most definitely do not) then this is the sort of album that I would spend years trying to achieve. Throw in some ritualistic mysticism and you have a record that moves you on every level....superb!! As I mentioned 'Disciples Of The Black Sun' was a (successful) crowd funded project. The vinyl is currently in the queue at the pressing plant - the band are saying December as an ETA, but in the meantime there is a CD and download release, available from the band's Bandcamp page here. Do yourselves a huge favour and get hold of it at your nearest opportunity.