Review: Two from Cardinal Fuzz - The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol - Verdun / The Exorzist III - Gospel Jamming Vol 1

Later this year it will be 10 years since I started this blog, there have been one or two lengthy hiatus on the way but still here. My very first review was a Cardinal Fuzz release (Cult of Dom Keller - 'The Second Bardo') and it's a real joy to see that Cardinal Fuzz have not only survived the last 10 years but become one of the most important independent labels for 'outsider' music. It's doubly good 'cos The Cardinal is one of the very nicest guys you will ever meet! Anyway, enough of the fawning. Of the latest tranche of releases there are two which blew my socks off (not a good experience for those around me at the time) - I really couldn't decide which to review so I'm gonna do them both as a twofer.

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol - Verdun

TBWNIAS have appeared on this blog a good few times and there is a very good reason for that - they are an incredible band! I struggle to think of another band whose output is always strong and always quality (OK, there are the Dead Sea Apes of course). They ply an hypnotic style of psych/krautrock that pays homage to a pantheon of music gods but yet remain fresh and unique - hardly surprising really bearing in mind the combined encyclopaedic knowledge of the guys (If you think you 'know' music, just have a chat with drummer John Westhaver and you'll soon realise you know sweet FA!)
'Verdun' is the band's first studio release for over 5 years and boy, it's good to have them back. The album opens with 'Dusseldorf Boogie' - a reference to the fabled La Düsseldorf, the band formed from the ashes of Neu!?? I'm guessing so as there are musical references to Dinger et al throughout the track, not least the drums. The solid motorik rhythm drives this track forward and provides a good bedrock for some serious psychedelic shredding as it progresses. there are some flourishes of horns throughout which provide a counterpoint to the wall of sound. 'Popinjay' is another track that evolves over its eleven minute length until it reaches a point of pure euphoria; a cataclysmic melding of red hot guitars, throbbing bass and metronomic drums with a spacey synth undercurrent...yummy! 'French Pastry' is a behemoth of a track at a little over twenty three minutes. It starts slowly with a shimmering guitar and a simple drum rhythm, all very pastoral really. Over the space of the twenty three minutes it ebbs and flows and grows into another an absolute monster. It is truly absorbing stuff. So, yet again TBWNIAS have knocked it out of the park. If you have even a passing interest in krautrock and sublime jams then this is the album for you.

'Verdun' is up for pre-order now at Cardinal Fuzz with a 22nd March release date. It is a co-release with Feeding Tube records in the USA



The Exorzist III - Gospel Jamming Vol 1

Holy shit! This is amazing! I'm tempted to leave it there to be honest but that would be lazy. Four tracks of groove laden, incendiary jamming melts the grey matter but pleases the ears. The fact that Drew St Ivany of Laddio Bolocko is wielding the guitar should give some clue as to what to expect.

'Jabber' is a leviathan of pulsating jamming. The guitar of St Ivany is furious and unstoppable, ably assisted by the driving drums of Nick Ferrante. If you break it down it is blues rock but taken to nth degree, to a point where it tramples on the grave of blues rock with bloody great boots whilst supping huge amounts of Jack Daniels. It is simply superb! 'Deuce Berry' is a beast bedded in krautrock and shares a bloodline with TBWNIAS - the same driving intensity and the same nous. 'Coffer' is short but sweet; a drum driven interlude of distorted guitar and throbbing bassline - it's akin to the first coffee of the day, enough to get you up and running. 'Cygnal' is another track driven by some incredible drums; they propel the bass and guitar forward at a fair lick and it all feels like you are smashing up the speed limit in a stolen car. As the track grows the guitar growls and reverb shakes the foundation. It is an intoxicating and heady mix.

Seriously, this is one amazing album. If you are a purist and like straightforward structures and predictable trajectories then this is probably not the album for you, but if you like the sound of top class musicians pushing boundaries whilst making a righteous noise then fill yer boots. 'Gospel Jamming Vol 1' is up for pre-order now at Cardinal Fuzz with a March 22nd release.



So, there you have it - 2 excellent releases from an excellent record label. I know money is tight at the moment for a lot of people but look upon the purchase of both these goodies as an investement in your mental health - you won't regret it

LINKS

Cardinal Fuzz Big Cartel

Cardinal Fuzz Bandcamp

Feeding Tube Bandcamp

The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol Bandcamp

The Exorzist III Bandcamp

Cardinal Fuzz Facebook

Feeding Tube Facebook

The Band Whose Name Is a Symbal facebook