CONSUME RED

My interest in checking out this band came from Mitsuru Nasuno's involvement. He also plays bass for KOREKYOJIN a band I like a lot. I didn't realise though that GROUND ZERO are a band that create soundscpaes through samples, experimental sounds, turntables and the traditional bass, drums,sax and guitars.To say this was different is a big understatement. There are those who feel this is a masterpiece, and who am I to argue not knowing this kind of music very well at all. To be clear to everyone, this isn't about melody but about soundscapes. I knew something was up when for 25 minutes all I heard was what sounded like dual sax blasts that were off set slightly, and after those two blasts would be some experimental noises each time. For 25 minutes ! Yes I thought of Finnforest but decided not to fire the cd out the window. After 25 minutes the sound inbetween became constant, with the sax blasts still coming and going the same way.

My favourite section came when the drums arrived heavily 30 minutes in and continued for 14 minutes. I like that part a lot. When the drums stopped a wall of sound came in with the sax blasts still coming but relegated to the background thankfully. At this point I quit clenching my teeth and squinting my eyes. The sax finally stops 53 minutes in with only 4 minutes left in the song. The last 4 minutes is made up of electronic noise and dissonance. At this point i'm asking "Where did the sax go ?"

Ok it wasn't as bad as I make out, in fact it was quite good. Not my cup of java though.

We start with a few saxes plaintively crying. It sounds somewhat exotic. Spanish? Arab? This goes on and on, like it is for a dark ritual, or as if we are at the vigil for hundreds of dead. Eventually, noise bursts in. This continues on and off, as the saxes show no sign of abating, only pushing ever onward, with a few different tones and notes here and there. Ever longer later, as the noises continue to scream for longer duration, a traditional Japanese instrument starts to twang. Eventually, drums join, and then soon guitar. It still seems like we are buildings towards something else, but by the hour mark this madness ends. That, everyone, is "Consume Red", a very, VERY strange masterpiece, odd in so many different ways. For one, this sits at the apex of world, avant prog, specifically of a rock persuasion, and noise. A strange combination. And, again, this just builds towards nothing. I hope the band doesn't mean to compare this crazed work to life itself. Also strange, it just works. The saxes are repetitive beyond Kraftwerk's wildest dreams, but it all sounds great, at least if you can tolerate noise. Everyone plays their part perfectly and to the fullest. The noise itself is well used, and well done. Plus there is use of dial tones a whole decade before brostep made the idea seem worthless, but here it proves worthwhile. If you are looking for a great challenge, a masterful work of noise and avant prog, or just one of the strangest albums on these archives, this is it.