IT'S THE END

A lot of talents is showcased on this initial effort by new Norwegian band It's The End. And a real treat for anyone with an interest in truly challenging, eclectic and complex instrumental art rock it is.

Those who enjoy bands mixing in everything and the kitchen sink will have a field day with this album. With stylisitc expressions ranging from atmopspheric, melodic fusion to quirky and difficult to grasp metal, the band visits most stylistic expressions in between as well. And they tend do explore challenging varieties of the different genres touched upon, gleefully adding arhythmic tendencies, dissonant textures and disharmonic layers to their excursions. With sickly sounding instrumental patterns and decaying, defragmenting themes as something of a speciality.

Highly intricate and quirky, and at times really daunting in complexity and chaotic moods, this isn't music suited to the masses. Those who do enjoy such endeavours will find themselves a gem with this one though. Everything doesn't work or sit well, but some of the charm with these releases is the journey itself - and to discover on which occasions it is a successful one.

Windhawk's review already mentioned quite a lot of what I could mention in more or less similar terms. But I want to add some comments which might, ok, "should" lead to more absolutely deserved interest in this fantasic album.

Let's start with refence bands and artists: First of all, Zappa. Esp. pieces by him, published in the late 70ies & early to mid 80ies (i.m.o to be seen as his type of crafty-post-jazzrock-band-takes) - 'Revised Music for Guitar and Low Budget Orchestra', 'Rdnzl', 'Envelopes', 'Tink Walks Amok', 'Moggio', 'Sinister Footwear II', 'Marque-Son's Chicken' as well as 'The Drowning Witch', 'Teen-Age-Prostitute', 'The Radio Is Broken' and 'The Dangerous Kitchen' if you imagine these 4 without vox ... but featuring some fine carinet contributions - and his at least equally crafty synclavier realizations on 'Jazz from Hell'.

I'm very sure, Drudge, Retch and Quibble have listened to those Zappa-takes very attentively. As well as to the more zappaesk pieces from Steve Vai (not his guitar-hero-posings), to Mr. Bungle, to Jaga Jazzist (also from Norway) to some music and guitar playing by Allan Holdsworth and by Scott Henderson and to whatsoever (if you're into metal related bands you might find some reference points there also.)

As generally when I'm bringing in references, it doesn't mean the reviewed band did simply(?!?) copy the references. No, i.m.o. they processed these influences very carefully but also kind of offensively, with, in the end (sic!) offering their own very agile, demanding but also entertaining Wow-music. Which unfortunately wasn't continued as far as I know. Worse: The band doesn't seem to exist anymore. Their former domain 'itsteend.com' is for sale. And the album is rather hard to find nowadays (november 2018). One access could be via your itunes-store-connection, with twelve 1:20 samples. Found it there, but not via inet-(itunes-)search. Alternatively: You can listen to excerpts also here: https[colon slash slash]soundcloud.com[slash]its-the-end . Anyway: Try to get this unique gem! You won't regret.