PHASE IV (WITH MITSURU TABATA)

Mike Vest is, without a doubt, one of the most prolific musicians of our time. Between live collaborations and solo projects, he has contributed to over 100 works. His musical journey began in 2012 with Skull Mansions, a collaboration with Steve Bishop that marked a powerful debut?an extraordinary fusion of drone, doom, and space rock.

Each project from Vest blends avant-garde styles into a unique, heady mix. After Skull Mansions, he launched Space Victim, releasing three albums that continued the psychedelic, experimental noise direction. Then came Blown Up, where he delved even deeper into live jams, always maintaining that acid- trip, stoner aesthetic.

Projects like Basilica, Lush Worker, and Jackal mark key points in his evolution. Over time, he connected with Japanese musicians drawn to his distinctive style, leading to a powerful musical symbiosis that gave birth to groups like Haikai No Ku and Modoki.

One of the most exciting recent entries in Vest's ever-growing discography is Phase IV, the latest album from Artifacts & Uranium. Following their acclaimed The Gateless Gate, this record shifts toward shorter, more focused compositions. The band's lineup now includes the legendary Japanese guitarist Tabata Mitsuru (Zeni Geva, Boredoms, Acid Mothers Temple), joining Vest, multi-instrumentalist Fred Laird, and returning drummer Nick Raybould.

Phase IV is a wild blend of garage psych and swamp punk?cacophonous guitars, howling synths, and dense, radioactive textures that feel both raw and otherworldly. It's a malevolent beast. Every home should have one.

What sets Mike Vest apart isn't just his productivity, but his uncompromising vision. Whether he's working with full bands or building dense walls of sound on his own, there's a consistent thread: a devotion to raw, hypnotic repetition and a willingness to push sonic boundaries. His guitar work is instantly recognizable? drenched in fuzz, reverb, and feedback, yet always precise in its chaos. He is one of the best guitar players in his own style, forging a distinct sound that blends elements of krautrock, Japanese psych, noise rock, and doom into something entirely his own. Vest doesn't chase trends; he builds immersive soundscapes that channel both intensity and atmosphere. Over the years, he has become a central figure in the modern underground, inspiring a growing circle of collaborators and listeners who see in his music not just noise, but a form of transcendence.

Phase IV is just another chapter in a body of work that refuses to settle or repeat itself. Vest keeps moving forward, always creating, always exploring. Honestly, I see him in the same spirit as a late-period John Coltrane or someone like John Zorn?artists who don't recognize boundaries and aren't afraid to dive deep into sound. For me, Mike Vest is one of the most exciting musicians working today, and I'll definitely be paying closer attention to whatever he does next.

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