Svartbag
Self-titled CD
Rump
Recordings
Genre: drone rock, kraut rock
July 11 2008 |
Copenhagen’s Svartbag specialize in drone rock heavily
influenced by the likes of kraut rock pioneers Faust and Can.
This five track debut weighs in at nearly fifty minutes, meaning you
can expect slow-moving, extended jams. Right off the bat, Svartbag’s
music exhibits an atmospheric, nearly hypnotic quality
that makes the air feel thickened by layers
of feedback. Unlike some more drone-minded enterprisers, Svartbag
frequently utilize a conventional rhythm section to lend their tracks
momentum – dazzling opener “Black Capricorn” and wonderfully spacey
“Loop#9” make best use of the drums. Meanwhile, fourteen minute “Billy
Name” could be considered the disc’s main attraction; vibrant and
vaguely bluesy, it manages both liveliness and
hypnotism, making for a unique and unusually accessible ride. I
could easily see Svartbag on the Strange Attractors or
Temporary Residence labels, although I am
not surprised to encounter another wonderful release
being churned out of the criminally obscure
Rump label. Drone heads, look out: Svartbag may not be a big
name on the scene, but one listen to this disc should make it quite
clear they’re on to something good.
svartbag's
myspace
87%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 5 tracks, distributed by
the
label,
released 2008] |