CRASHING ICONS

Avant-fusion like you've never heard it before. Absolute Zero is an extremely under-the-radar outfit with only one EP and one official studio album to their name. CRASHING ICONS is an interesting fusion album with four double-digit length jams that stretch the boundaries of what fusion can do.

The band's sound is remarkably heavy considering that they're a little more than a keyboard power trio. Enrique Jardines is the man most responsible for this sound as he picks some excellent effect choices for his bass and can pull off bass power chords like no one else. The bass takes on tricky lines that captivate the listener but can take more of a lead position or simple support when needed.

Unfortunately, each tune other than the powerful ''Stutter Rock/You Said'' runs much longer than necessary. ''Bared Cross'' heads out into extreme avant territories that while experimentally challenging, are also devoid of much entertainment. The two longer tracks have motives that seem to slow time and are enjoyable until Ainslin Quinn starts singing. That pretty much ruins the album for me; Quinn's vocals. They probably are decent on their own, but her voice is ruined by useless effects that are grating to the ears, contrasting the bass effect choices.

If this album were entirely instrumental, I might have enjoyed it slightly more. Cantebury fans might warm to the idea of Pip Pyle drumming here, and his contributions are very worthwhile. It's still an interesting RIO-fusion type of album worth the occasional repeat every so often. Sadly, Jardines passed away earlier this year, leaving CRASHING ICONS an excellent display of his unique bass style.