ZEVIOUS

Well, nothing has changed, although since Cuneiform are no longer really releasing albums (still can't believe that a label as influential as they have had to drastically change their business model to survive), they have now moved on and for their latest album are signed with Nefarious Industries. The instrumental trio are still pushing that garage, metal, new wave underground mentality, but bringing that into line with fusion, jazz, RIO, doom, post rock and even trance to create something that is incredibly intense and powerful. It is as subtle as a sledgehammer, and really can cause headaches, but is also melodramatic and alluring. It is music which is compelling, bringing the listener in, shutting the door, and then bombarding them with sounds that feel almost as if they are part of a waterboarding experiment, yet even though the door is unlocked there is no desire to walk back out again. This isn't easy music to listen to, but by giving it the time it deserves the listener comes away having had an amazing experience.

This is their third album, and I am going to have to dig out the other two as well, as these guys can play. I mean, they can really play. I don't think that they would know what to do with a straight 4/4 time signature and verse/chorus number if it hit them over the head with a baseball bat. Although Mike is often the lead 'voice' that is only to be expected, but his cousin Jeff isn't afraid to try to dominate proceedings, and the same goes for Johnny as well. But, somehow all three of them manage to keep their own creative reins in check just enough so that we get an incredibly complex montage of music as opposed to everyone powering in over the top. There are some amazing fusion albums coming out at present, but this is one of those vying to be at the very top of the heap. It is challenging at times, but incredibly welcoming at others, and if you want your music to be complicated and moving in different directions yet somehow always making sense then this is for you. www.cuneiformrecords.com

"Where's the Captain" is so good with the chunky bass, pounding odd metered drumming and the guitar soloing over top. Angular guitar before 2 minutes. This is intricate yet powerful. Check out the drumming late. "Come Cluster" is dark and more laid back. I just laugh at the huge bass lines and the amazing drumming here. Laughing as in over-joyed. It turns more aggressive after 3 1/2 minutes then settles back. The drums come to the fore before a minute on "Mostly Skulls". Tasteful angular guitar and thumping bass join in. "The Ticket Exploded" is dark with sounds coming and going. It's building before 3 minutes then it calms right down 3 1/2 minutes in. A good Halloween song.

"The Noose" has lots of bottom end as the angular guitar plays over top. "Inciting" is more uptempo.Great sound 2 1/2 minutes in. "Gradual Decay" features prominant drumming on this mid paced tune. Guitar and bass are more in the background here until the guitar comes to the fore before 4 minutes. "The Ditch" sounds great when it settles back a minute in and the guitar joins in. Check out the bass before 5 minutes ! "After The Air Raid" is dark and haunting. The guitar makes some noise on "The Children And The Rats" 30 seconds in then it settles back. It does this again fairly quickly then not again until after 3 1/2 minutes where it turns intense to the end.Incredible. "Glass Tables" has some fantastic drumming on it early on.The guitar before 1 1/2 minutes starts to groove. Okay now he's sending smoke signals. It settles after 2 1/2 minutes then kicks back in hard.

This is complex and in a style that I love. A very solid 4 stars.