Kayo Dot - Gamma Knife
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=83947
Printed Date: August 12 2025 at 00:08
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Topic: Kayo Dot - Gamma Knife
Posted By: sleeper
Subject: Kayo Dot - Gamma Knife
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 11:34
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At last, its out! I'm giving it my first listen now and so far love it, does anybody else think Toby was channeling Deathspell Omega for parts of Rite of Goetic Evocation? ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005 
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Replies:
Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 12:41
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Toby channels many spirits during the moons he spent recording this issue, mortal. -------------   
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Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 13:48
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So it's fired up all over FB (or should I say like 15 I know that even know em) havn't gotten around to listening yet. Can anyone tell me their quick opinions? And something a bit more than OMG its tobeh drivah and starts jizzing rockets.  |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 13:58
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What is the fastest way I can get this thing? I only heard about it a couple of days ago, but I have a couple other KD albums and I'm interested (if not jizzing rockets, lol). EDIT: Never mind, I found it. Gonna download it when I get home! ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 14:01
He's going back to his earlier KD albums, with considerable metal inputs and unfluences. Not nearly as good as Choirs, though. -------------
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JJLehto wrote:Posted By: Anthony H.
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 14:03
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It's a bit of a disappointment after Coyote, but I'm still digging it.
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Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 14:22
Well Choirs is probably my favorite so not as good eh? Also I did just listen to one song and maybe I'm just in the mood right now. Sounded like utterly dissonant noise and yelling. I mean that's fine but didn't even sound like a song really. Built up to a nice climax but I'd rather not listen to random noise and yelling Gunna listen to it all though, I'm sure it'll take time anyway. |
Posted By: Anthony H.
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 14:32
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A couple of the tracks are a bit overly noisy.
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Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 14:34
Luckily for you, the album clocks in at about 30 minutes. It is indeed a return to earlier "metal" sensibilities.
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Posted By: JS19
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 14:35
| I quite like it, seeing as Coyote left me rather confused, but Choirs is one of my favourites of ALL TIME. |
Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 14:55
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Yes, it sounds like that Copper Tongue thing album. I'm liking this better, though -------------
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 15:19
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^Well, like the first three tracks and the opening of __On Limpid Form rather than the drone parts that made up the second half of that album. Once my totaly over the top fanboyism has dropped down to more socially acceptable levels (at least for PA) after a few more listens, I'll come back and give some more concise thoughts. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 15:30
Exactly. -------------
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Posted By: The Neck Romancer
Date Posted: January 04 2012 at 16:01
Damn right, the metal tracks do sound a lot like DsO |
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: January 05 2012 at 00:14
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Goddamn amazing. DEM HARSH VOCALS, DEM ORGANS, DAT Rite of Goetic Evocation, DEM LYRICS. ------------- 
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Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: January 05 2012 at 05:29
| Where is it available? Linx plz! |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: January 05 2012 at 05:39
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^kayodot.net has a link to their bandcamp page.
------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: January 05 2012 at 05:47
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http://kayodot.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - http://kayodot.bandcamp.com/
Woo Hoo! I like! If only it were longer. 30 minutes is EP-length these days. Still, I liked it all the way through. ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: January 05 2012 at 07:27
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I liked Kayo Dot before they copied Canvas Solaris. -------------
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: January 05 2012 at 07:33
Well, thats like saying "I liked Opeth before they copied Van der Graaf Generator". Great song from the sadly split CS. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: January 05 2012 at 07:39
Yes, I was quite surprised by the length. As Anthony said...some tracks are just bit noisy for my taste but it's avant after all. Can't make an opinion yet on the new KD but I'm not disliking it all. |
Posted By: frippism
Date Posted: January 05 2012 at 08:12
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Downloading it from BC as we speak! Wow when I saw Keith Abrams was playing drums on this one I freaked out! One of the best drummers of all time, really. ------------- There be dragons |
Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: January 05 2012 at 08:18
But I did!  -------------
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Posted By: frippism
Date Posted: January 05 2012 at 13:27
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Hmm so far so good! I think. Can't really judge yet. Keith Abrams is such a freaking beast. ------------- There be dragons |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: January 05 2012 at 14:53
| First listen wasn't very convincing. :( |
Posted By: akaBona
Date Posted: January 06 2012 at 06:13
same hear. first kayo dot i heard and was left little bit uncertain why all the fuss ... so not love at first hearing, but i will try again.
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: January 06 2012 at 06:22
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Not as good as Choirs of the Eye but heaps better than Coyote My review is an unfanboyish subjective listen - I think its fair - its no masterpiece that's for sure... 3 stars Kayo Dot's recent album "Gamma Knife" is the first 2012 album I listened to and began the year on a discordant note. It is no secret to those who know me that I am no fan of the darker side of prog and the bleak "Coyote" was more of an endurance test for me. I will admit that I approached this latest Toby Driver offering with a degree of trepidation. The opening track o chamber music had me spellbound immediately. Once the bells begin to toll and the hymnal Gregorian style chanting is over on 'Lethe', a dissonant collage of guitar crashes breaks the serenity. A death metal growl invades the doomy atmosphere surprisingly. The off kilter saxophone is an intriguing embellishment and a cacophony of sound results. This continues for some time generating a darkened soundscape. Then blastbeats and anguished cries follow, almost sounding like Emperor or other Norwegian black metal. This is the 'Rite of Goetic Evocation' and it may surprise many listeners, as it is a very atonal cacophonous sound that is jarring on the ear. Next is a jazzy piece that sounds like a bunch of saxophones having in an affray. The competing instruments are drawn together by Driver's estranged vocals. Interestingly enough this track sounds like Van der Graaf Generator music when they play the inharmonious improvised sections of songs such as on "Pawn Hearts". There is a thankful break in the song and the time sig diverges into unknown territory on 'Mirror Water, Lightning Night'. I am becoming hooked by the saxophone as lead instrument at this point. It becomes quite a noise in places, none of the instruments attempting to stay into any particular time metrical pattern. The result is a sound of intimidating ferocity, perhaps the angriest album I have heard in some time. It almost transforms into death metal jazz on the unnerving 'Ocellated God'. Growling screechy vocals and insane manic woodwind clash together and at one point the tempo quickens until there is a repeated 3 note motif that once again is very much like VDGG. The growls become intense and the hyper percussion and dissonant woodwind sound as if the band are having a multiple progressive disorder, perhaps a musical breakdown. The music goes all over the place and intensely frenzied as Driver screams unintelligible cries. It is almost humorous such is the vehemence of the instruments. This may be what it sounds like when an orchestra is having a bad day. Finally it ends with 'Gamma Knife' with very gentle guitar and Driver is at peace on calming vocals having had his tantrum previously. The tessellated fractured keyboard phrases are quite beautiful. There is a sound like a harp flowing up and down the scales and arpeggios. Driver's voice becomes more penetrating with a style similar to that on "Coyote". It is the best track on the album apart from the opening. It is strange how this beauty is bookended with all the rage sandwiched in between. The album cover may be the most unimaginative I have seen and I would wonder how this would appeal to those unfamiliar with Kayo Dot. First we have The Beatles "White Album", then Metallica's "Black Album", Robert Calvert's "Freq" , purple album, Eddy Current Suppression Ring's "Primary Colours", red album, or yellow album on vinyl, now presenting Kayo Dot's "Sky Blue Album" and gone is the iconic logo down the side of the album. The Sky Blue is definitely in stark contrast to the dark black music which is perhaps the point. It is a good thing the music is brimming with imagination and vigour because the packaging isn't. My conclusion is this will appeal to the Toby Driver and Kayo Dot fanbase, no doubt but the rest of us must tread cautiously as we approach this uncanny music. ------------- 
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Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: January 06 2012 at 08:47
Give it time.
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: January 06 2012 at 09:06
Yes, for someone that likes playing with minimalism quite a bit, Gamma Knife is incredibly dense and busy. It's going to take me, a dyed in the wool TD fan, quite a while to fully digest this one. I've got to admit though, it does feel as if it's missing a song or two. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: January 06 2012 at 09:40
| For me the only minus right now is the sound quality on some of the tracks - I'd absolutely love if they could be re-recorded in studio. |
Posted By: The Neck Romancer
Date Posted: January 06 2012 at 09:43
| Same here. Too bad that won't happen. |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: January 07 2012 at 08:48
Which version did you download? ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: January 07 2012 at 12:45
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Streamed this from bandcamp last night. Not sure what to think. I've had Coyote for about a year and like it quite a bit. Just got Choirs of the Eye a few days ago. The three middle songs here are obviously "out there". I like them for the most part, but track 4 might be a "bit much". Reminds me most of Doctor Nerve Skin. Enjoyable at times, but also somewhat hard to take. The calmer pieces are pretty nice. ------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth. |
Posted By: Cimnele
Date Posted: January 08 2012 at 06:54
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Kayo Dot are one of my current favourites but the 2nd and 4th tracks manage to reverse what I love about the band. I don't quite know how to place it yet but it seems like those songs defeat themselves somehow... I'll give them more time because I respect the band's work.
Luckily, the other three are beautiful and almost automatically essential! |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: January 08 2012 at 07:19
I went to the bandcamp page - I wasn't aware that there was more than one version. What others are there? |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: January 08 2012 at 09:18
I meant that the you can download it in mp3, FLAC, ALAC etc. I downloaded the mp3 format and the sound is OK, though I think the production could have done with a little more work. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: frippism
Date Posted: January 08 2012 at 09:29
Yeah I think they decided to have such a dirty sound. I mean the music is great- but the production's too dirty. It won't change much if you download it in a more high quality version. ------------- There be dragons |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: January 08 2012 at 10:02
Oh, I always download FLAC from bandcamp. |
Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: January 08 2012 at 13:25
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I agree with what Pat said. I get they wanted the whole live feel, but music this dense would be better served by a studio recording I think. I don't really think this has much to do with their earlier material. I mean yes it's heavier, but it's not anything that would have fit on either of their first two albums. I like the quasi-religious, occult feel to the whole thing. I like the percussion. I like the way the two saxes are used. I need more time really. It gets very much better with every listen. ------------- "One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. " |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: January 08 2012 at 13:30
More than anything else, it sounds like a logical direction for Toby to take after Stained Glass and Tartar Lamb II |
Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: January 08 2012 at 13:31
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I agree. Toby's material has progressed very naturally which is part of what makes it so compelling to me.
------------- "One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. " |
Posted By: Pekka
Date Posted: January 08 2012 at 23:30
The current cover art is not the final one, it will be released when the physical editions are done. This blue thing is just something they had to have for the download. I'm liking the album, not sure how much. The second track is the only one where the sound is bothering me a bit, I suppose the reason for that was just lack of money for "proper" recording. And the audience interaction that's somewhere there, I have yet to catch it. ------------- http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=42652" rel="nofollow - It's on PA! 
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Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: January 09 2012 at 00:02
Ah thats a relief as that cover is dull - But I had fun researching other colour covers for the review I edited all that out - seeing as its a temporary cover.I am going to edit out the errors too - I missed those. Hope the album does well for KD but it will divide TD and KD fans I believe.
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: January 09 2012 at 07:10
I doubt it, of the 13 albums that TD has led the way n, the only two that could be said to sound the same are Bath and Leaving Your Body Map, and they should have been a double album in the first place. We're used to, in fact expect, every knew album of his to be different to whats gone before yet still maintain a feel specific to that band/project. Gamma Knife is very different to previous KD albums, but still feels like a KD album, so I doubt there will be much division. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: DisgruntledPorcupine
Date Posted: January 09 2012 at 10:27
| Great album. Their best since Choirs. Shame it's so short. |
Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: January 10 2012 at 09:32
It's hard to hear, but I believe the chanting and moaning is the audience. You know I wouldn't know for sure because unreliable morons who shouldn't even have a job forced me to burn my tickets and hotel for the show. Not that I'm still upset about that at all. ------------- "One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. " |
Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: January 23 2012 at 10:14
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First listen through as it's now up on Spotify. I'm really liking this for some reason. The facts that it's so dense really helps it from the oppressive soul-drain that some of the last KD albums were. Need several listens... ------------- You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all. |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: January 23 2012 at 15:04
Maybe because it's awesome? |
Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: January 23 2012 at 16:08
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Yeah I'm going to suggest it being awesome is the primary reason.
------------- "One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. " |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: January 23 2012 at 20:56
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When is the CD release date? ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: OzzProg
Date Posted: January 23 2012 at 22:07
1969 -------------  |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: January 23 2012 at 23:41
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Eh? ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: January 24 2012 at 07:59
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There's not going to be a cd release. There's talk of a vinyl release.
------------- "One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. " |