PROJEKCT X: HEAVEN AND EARTH

I have to respectfully disagree with previous (and possibly future) reviewers who don't regard this pseudonymous effort as a legitimate KING CRIMSON recording. On the contrary, I would argue that it represents a truly 21st Century (schizoid) vision of the band, and one that embodies the time-honored, forward-thinking spirit of the Crimson King better than its year 2000 companion album "The ConstruKction of Light".

Both of them, believe it or not, were recorded simultaneously, this one assembled from various outtakes and studio jams while the 'official' album was still in gestation. The big difference between the two is that ProjeKct X was the brainchild of the ace Crimso rhythm team led by drummer Pat Mastelotto, whose affection for techno-pulse percussion and drum 'n' bass soundscapes reaches something close to critical mass here.

You may have already heard the sultry title track, added as an epilogue to the "ConstruKction" album (and arguably the best thing on it). But by itself it doesn't give an altogether accurate impression of the adrenalin-driven, hyperspace grooves on display here. Crimson's next studio album, 2003's "The Power To Believe", may have better integrated the ProjeKct X ethos into an actual song-based format, but this is Mastelotto's Crimson King in all its unexpurgated glory, at last fulfilling the promise of the post-Double Trio research and development fractals (or 'fraKctals', if you prefer) in brilliant, no-holds-barred fashion.

If, like myself, you thought the first V-drum driven ProjeKcts foretold a potential major leap forward in the ongoing evolution of King Crimson, but were disappointed with its relatively conventional application on "The ConstruKction of Light", or if you found yourself teased by the tongue-in-cheek techno-geek cut-ups of the Mastelotto / Bill Munyon sub-Crimson spin-off BPM&M, then you owe it to your ears (not to mention all the starving gray matter in between) to hear this album.

Exactly how state-of-the-art is it? Consider that the running time of each track, as listed in the CD booklet, is broken down to a ridiculous 1/100th of a second, something only a true music nerd could appreciate.

I only wish it had been released under the official King Crimson banner, instead of half- hidden behind an insecure studio alias. You'd think, after the daring anti-commercial improvisations of 1996's "Thrakattak", that Robert Fripp would have enough nerve to again challenge the accepted wisdom of the marketplace. But, whatever the name on the CD case, there's no mistaking the color of such brain-bending monsters like "Superbottomfeeder" or "Demolition": both undeniably Crimson in every way, shape and form.

Like it or not, this may be a sneak preview of a possible KC future, as usual way ahead of its time.

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Posted Tuesday, April 25, 2006 | Review this album | Report (Review #76287)

Heaven and Earth is one of the best releases by modern King Crimson, and is mostly experimental electronic based metal and funk inspired jams. This albums flows freely through avant-funk jams that are highly original and interesting. I'm actually surprised that this album isn't rated higher. I feel like this album, along with Space Groove, has a much more modern sound than THRAK and ContruKction of Light that exemplifies what King Crimson is all about, which is mostly creating original music and constantly trying to progress further in sound. Nothing sounds quite like this, so I'd have to call that some kind of progression in both the music world in general and in the context of King Crimson's past releases. The playing here is tight, and is largely improvised, and is incredibly interesting. Highly recommended for fans that enjoyed Space Groove and are looking for something a bit harder and more experimental.

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Posted Friday, April 8, 2011 | Review this album | Report (Review #429391)

Following The ConstruKtion of Light, ProjeKct X (the full quartet of King Crimson, just under a different moniker) put out a full album. Much like ProjeKct Two, it's clear that this music stemmed primarily from jamming and experimentation, but it is notably better than Space Groove. The sound palett ... (read more)

Report this review (#3037524) | Posted by TheEliteExtremophile | Monday, April 15, 2024 | Review Permanlink

Heaven and Earth by King Crimson ALIAS ProjeKct X. Fripp is CRAZY. And that is great because SO AM I. I understand his music, its mood, its structure. I also enjoy it. I`ve been listening this album for a while and I decided to review it because there is only one comment....... thas is ... (read more)

Report this review (#245273) | Posted by 12212112 | Monday, October 19, 2009 | Review Permanlink

I will explain why I can thoughtfully give to this album five stars. Well, to begin with most of the time the music in this album is quite horrible and I like very much horrble music. There are very few parts that can be acceptable for average people, only maybe Heaven and Hell. If you put this albu ... (read more)

Report this review (#236034) | Posted by amontes | Monday, August 31, 2009 | Review Permanlink

Although I'm not an expert in describing musical style, the style here in this record is more noisy in the artful way in which King Crimson is adept at using it-- perhaps somewhat like the mismash of live improvisations in the Thrakattak album, but more coherent and with more direction/purpose to ... (read more)

Report this review (#196364) | Posted by dragonspirit | Monday, December 29, 2008 | Review Permanlink

Well what we have here is a release by a group of musicians known collectively as PROJEKCT X. The same group of muscians that are also known as KING CRIMSON! I can see where this would and could be a bit confusing,since this release seems to be neither fish nor fowl.I ran across this release a ... (read more)

Report this review (#87606) | Posted by bob x | Friday, August 18, 2006 | Review Permanlink

(2 and a half stars) The nature of King Crimson has always been to go beyond existing musical barriers, exploring new territories. Every incarnation of the band has followed this rule since 1969. This can be appreciated even more in their live albums, since the volcanic (and mediocre) "Eart ... (read more)

Report this review (#86803) | Posted by Jordi Planas | Saturday, August 12, 2006 | Review Permanlink

Well, among many errors people are making is to think ProjeKct X is a King Crimson work : it is not. Plus, think about this seriously : these guys decided to record an album while recording an another one ! It's so crazy... If you listen to the two albums, they are so different, in rythms, text ... (read more)

Report this review (#70388) | Posted by Buze | Friday, February 24, 2006 | Review Permanlink

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