Heathen
Noise
"Sturm und Drang" CDR
Self-Released
Genres: experimental, noise
Mar 24 - 30 2003 |
Apparently
a homage to German actor Klaus
Kinski, Heathen Noise's Sturm und Drang could be one
of the most frightening albums I've ever reviewed. Despite the
fact that it is comprised of
one twenty-five minute composition, it is a remarkably accessible
release. The three people behind Heathen
Noise have used all sorts of sounds and effects to create the scarescape that Sturm
und Drang is. Organ, guitar, and percussion are the only
traditional instruments, while the rest of the piece is evened out
with bizarre noises and soundscapes, as well as various film samples
(presumably from some of Klaus Kinski's movies). The track reaches a
its best bit about halfway in when the band
really start using the electric guitar effectively, attacking the
listener with an onslaught of echoing, deranged guitar, haunting,
tribal percussion, and desperately disembodied film samples.
Suddenly this noise cuts out, replaced instead by eerily pondering
guitar, more creepy samples, and the hissing of a broken radio
tuner. At this point it's quite obvious why the band namecheck Popul
Vuh in their liner notes.
In all its creepiness, I really like Sturm und Drang.
I can't wait to see what else Heathen Noise can do; I can only
hope a follow-up album is in the pipeline.
88%
Fun Fact: Klaus Kinski starred in
many films over the duration of his life, including "A Time to
Love and a Time to Die," "The Counterfeit Traitor,"
"Doctor Zhivago," "For a Few Dollars More,"
"Grand Slam," and many others. He is famed for working
with director Werner Herzog - collaborations between the two include
"Woyzeck" and "Nosferatu the Vampyre."
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
1 song, distributed by the
band, released 2002] |
