UR KAOS

He formed UR and released their debut in 1984. He formed ZUT UN FEU ROUGE releasing "Who's Afreud" in 1985. He released his first solo album "Music For the Dying Forest" also in 1985. Changes the name UR to UR KAOS and releases their first under that name in 1987, which was self-titled. Releases his second solo album in 1989 called "Songs From Cities Of Decay". Finally, a third UR KAOS album was recorded and mixed late in the 80's called "A Terrible Beauty Is Born" but not released until 1990. Busy boy. That last one I just mentioned was the best of the lot in my opinion up to that point.

That is until a surprise release of the album I'm reviewing today almost ten years after that one called "Av Sprucket Ut Ar Valt Ett Inuti" released in 1999. All of these albums I've mentioned were recorded and mixed at Lars' studio called "The Forest", and all were released on his label Bauta Records. And all have a similar themed art work. It was a long and creative process of improvising and experimenting at "The Forest" from 1995 to 1997 where the music here was formed and arranged, then mixed in 1998, and released the following year in 1999. This is the first time they sing in Swedish.

The one minor complaint I had about the previous record "A Terrible Beauty Is Born" were those gothic vocals which were contrasted with a different style of singing. The gothic vocals are gone here. That different style continues here, and they are in a ghostly and fragile form. They are a trio that includes keyboardist Johan Hedren formerly of KULTIVATOR. And I love that band. We hear sounds like fender rhodes, violin, taurus pedals, hohner clavinet, farfisa organ along with the usual rock instruments. Lots of dark atmosphere and punishing bass lines. An hour of music, and 21 tracks in total, but it really sounds like one long piece of music. So uniform sounding which I really am into, and consistent. My kind of album.

I have to read the press release for this. "With their subtly nuanced modulations of unreleased tension and atmosphere of sooty desolation, Sweden's UR KAOS are one of the precious few bands vibrating at an emotional frequency in tune with the resigned doom of THIS HEAT's Deceit". Yes they said that! My music right here people.

"Shelter" has strummed guitar as the vocals join in with the drums not far behind. Strings join in around 2 minutes making some noise. "Screen Icon" is a heavy tune with higher pitched vocals over top. "A Testimony" is a top five and it's quiet to start before an Avant soundscape arrives with vocals where the instruments don't seem to be on the same page(haha). This is all replaced by a melodic and catchy rhythm after 1 1/2 minutes. Strings only before 3 minutes as the fragile vocals return. "The Face Defaced" has a powerful sound with vocals to match as he almost speaks the lyrics with passion. A devastating sound after a minute. Lots of suspense and I like the percussion late. A top five.

I like the way "Terrible Mildness Of The Morning" starts as it has some interesting sounds that come and go. Vocals before a minute. "A Criminal View From Beyond" has more deep sounds as Avant vocals join in. "The Fire Of Time" is a top five as the rhythm of sounds builds from the start. Vocals before a minute and it sounds like fuzzed out keys 3 minutes in. "The Hearse" is my favourite. I just like how Gothic this sounds with the vocals and dark backdrop. Keys before 1 1/2 minutes.

"Repeating Icon" has these almost GENESIS-like keys that pulse(what?!). Drums, bass and vocals help out and strings arrive after a minute. "Modern Man" is a top five with that catchy rhythm and vocals. I like the drumming a lot here as well as the lyrics. Check out the instrumental work late to end it. So good! "Where Angels Fear To Tread" is 1 1/2 minutes of electronic-like sounds and more as it builds. Cool stuff. "Not Yet Crumbled" is another short track and it's catchy with vocals, heavy too. An experimental ending to this one.

"III Exerpt" opens with drums and more as it builds. Great sound! Almost spoken vocals join in before a minute. Lots of percussion after 2 minutes when the vocals stop. "The Furies" has such an interesting soundscape as most of these songs have. Some vocal melodies as well. "The Wheels" has a mid-paced rhythm with fragile vocals. Again I'm impressed at how the guitar and strings are part of the rhythm. "The Endless Laughter" ends it with intricate sounds as fragile vocals join in. When the vocals stop it becomes dark and haunting to the end.

A very consistent album that keeps me intertested and intrigued every time I spin it. That adventerous spirit is here in spades. Just a great album that Avant fans need to hear.