BONDAGE FRUIT III - R?CIT

The thing that seemed to jump out to me the most about this album is the jamming. The female vocalist is gone making this pretty much an all instrumental record. That Zeuhl flavour from the first two albums is also gone. The drumming is incredible, as is the guitar, violin and bass. The vibes are a really nice touch as well.

"Odd-Job" opens with 2 minutes of heavy drums as they rock out really good. It all stops as guitar, vibes, drums, violin and bass sounds all come and go rather leisurely. It all starts to build 8 1/2 minutes in with tribal-like drumming and violin to a great finish. "Kagee Ga Kieru" is a cool song as we get guitar sounds, vibes, synths and violin all adding to the atmosphere. The Gilmour- like guitar then comes in, and I really like the vibes that remind me of MOONGARDEN. "Shortwave From Outer Space" is an experimental tune with electronics, spoken words and assorted sounds. "Frost And Fire" is an uptempo track with relentless pounding drums as the guitar fills the soundscape with various metalic sounds. Impressive. Violin after 7 1/2 minutes, and the guitar comes flying back in 3 minutes later eventually ending the song with scorching and screeching sounds that are not for the faint of heart.

"Recit" is a 28 minute monster. The guitar melodies to open are fantastic and they appear to be giving a nod to YES here and later. Violin after a minute, while the guitar lays down some blistering solos 2 minutes in as the drums come pounding in. The drummer is out of this world, or out of his mind. Not sure which. Probably both. The bass is throbbing heavily. The song does calm down for an extended period before rebuilding in anger 20 minutes in, with the drums and guitar leading the way as it builds to a powerful conclusion. When it settles back to end it they give a nod to YES once again. Nice. "Kinzoku No Taiji" is a song off of their debut record, only here it is done live and without vocals.This is a fast paced song with violin, vibes, guitar and of course drums rounding out the sound. The drums are killer ! Scorching violin 4 minutes in followed by some incredible guitar. This is great ! The bass is prominant as well.

What a find this band has been for me. Thanks again Avestin ! Their first three records have all been outstanding, but this is the one where their musical style has changed the most dramatically. I would rate the first two just ahead of this one, I think.