HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS (REMIXES AND RE-RECORDINGS)

Probably the best named album of all time. Unfortunately that's as high an accolade I can bestow on this Coil release. It's a complete departure from all their previous releases, being completely vocal free and unfortunately tune free.

'How to Destroy Angels' could be described as what sounds like the creation of life itself from primordial soup in the Cambrian era of Earth's history- 500 million years ago. That point in time where all sorts of strange looking fan-like creatures swam about in oceans full of feathered plankton that were destined to die.

Swirling groans and grumbles are the order of the day as occasional swooshes and rattles suddenly frighten the life out of the listener if played at high volume.

According to the liner notes it's about an angel with eyes all over its body for every soul in the world, and when someone dies, one of the eyes closes and the angel scoops them up in a bag. What the hell is that all about?

There are certain similarities with 'Lustmord' with its cavernous feel, but there's a lot more going on at ground level with a multitude of strange electronic effects warbling and hissing. This is indeed a very strange album. One which won't endear many first time listeners to 'Coil'. 'The Sleeper' has some semblace of tune as a wobbly keyboard plays a single note and wheezing airy effects shuffle from ear to ear.

'Tectonic Plates' suddenly throws a bunch of clashing cymbal like electronic noise in my face. So loud that the volume has to take a massive downwards leap before my ears bleed. My tinnitus is bad enough already thank you very much 'Coil'.

In all honesty I hardly ever play this, and there's a reason for that. It's simply unlistenable. I can't think of any instance in my moods or feelings when I'd want to hear this.

I'm a big 'Musique Concrete' fan. I love the juxtaposition of random noise as purported by the likes of 'Robert Normandeau' and 'Francis Dhomont'. 'Coil', however seem to get it all wrong here. 'How to Destroy Angels' is jarring in the extreme. The deep industrial sounds are good but the sudden volume surges really leave me feeling angry.

The lengthy 16 minute 'How to Destroy Angels 2' introduces treated Tibetan singing bowls and gongs which is a bit more pleasant to the ear. This is probably the kind of track 'Aleister Crowley' would have played on his i-pod had he been around today. It has a ritualistic feel as though played during a Satanic Mass. Imagine my disappointment then when I've nothing else to say about it. It drags on far too long, unless of course you're a fan of the sacrificial slaughter of virgins.

One to avoid for all but the hardiest 'Coil' fans.