Review: Zone Six - Forever Hugo

Continuing the Germanic theme, Zone Six are twenty years old this year (surely that must qualify them for the 'legendary' appellation?). That's twenty years of "improvised acid-freak-outs". The band are a super group of sorts made up of Dave 'Sula Bassana' Schmidt (Electric Moon, Krautzone etc)on drums and keys, Komet Lulu (Electric Moon, Krautzone) on bass and Rainer Neeff (The Pancakes, Krautzone and even played with Embryo which will have the krautrock fans pricking up their ears!). Over the course of their 20 years the line-up has changed but the mission has stayed the same - to play some searing, improvised acid rock. This album is a live document of a gig played at the 'Graf Hugo' club in Feldkirch, Austria and shows what a ferocious, intense and downright awesome this group are....but then you already knew that right?

The album is just 2 tracks: 'Surfin' Shiva' (at a tad over 21 minutes) and 'A Million Little Shivas' (almost 23 minutes) so that's almost 45 minutes of some of the finest acid jamming to be had. 'Surfin' Shiva' opens with some suitably spacey effects and rich bass notes from Frau Lulu setting the scene before Neeff's guitar is introduced, already speaker shakingly deep but subdued. The overall effect at this point is one of suspense...you just know that the languorous pace is going to break into something special, the question is just when. The seemingly abstract stabs of guitar and electronica along with the bass continue to heighten this until the sound of cymbals herald the start of something REALLY special. The pace and power grow exponentially, (at this point, can I suggest that you listen to this with headphones to appreciate the full glory) the sheer power of it all reverberates through the rafters and leaves you breathless, clutching your chest. I know there may be some people who are not so au fait with Zone Six but dig Electric Moon and who will be surprised to see Schmidt on drums rather than guitar, but can I just reassure these people that Neeff's guitar work is sublime... sorry, let me rephrase that...it is fucking awesome...Mr Neeff, take a bow! When the distortion and fuzz hit, they hit hard...this is supreme psychedelic jamming! 'A Million Little Shivas' follows the same basic structure...a slow, languid build up with plenty of cosmic electronica anchored by the steady bass of Lulu and some intricate strumming from Neeff, and like the previous track it opens up...into something even heavier!! This track is the apotheosis of heavy, freak-out jams..I struggle to think of anything that is this heavy, this technically flawless and this so goddamned enjoyable. It feels as though the track will actually break free of the speaker to physically assault you. Yet again Neeff's guitar is stunning and accompanied by astute drumming from Schmidt and unassailable basslines from Lulu. This is pretty much a dream team, and with all dream teams there is always that chance that things don't gel....well, rest assured, they gel perfectly here. Stunning!

In case you can't tell, I love this album! I pretty much love everything that these guys have done in their other bands and the last Zone Six album was a monster (one for the pun fans out there!) but this is something else. I can't think of any other way of putting it. You NEED this album in your life if you are a fan of improvised, heavy jamming par excellence. It is released by the Deep Distance label who are taking orders now for the albums April release, check out the DD Facebook page for ordering details and I'm sure Sulatron will be getting some. In the mean time, treat your eyes and ears to this vid of the band playing at Roadburn last year!