siLLy puPPy This is where the SATANIQUE SAMBA TRIO really come to life on their first full-length album SANGROU (something in Portugese about bleeding). This is avant-samba come to fruition and i love it. Everything about this album works for me. While the debut EP “Misantropicalia” was promising the band utilized a bit too much blatant Coil ripoffisms for my taste. While there are tracks on this one that have clear references to Coil=esque experimental electronic, the band have clearly found their niche in the extreme Samba In Opposition category which in retrospect reminds me of aspects of Mr Bungles “Disco Volante” in how they can take different styles and genres of Brazilian music and spastically intersperse them into a nice rhythmic flow. I say rhythmic because that is the glue to the madness experienced here. If you seek melody there are plenty of nice catchy Brazilian and otherwise things going on but what makes this very avant-prog is how things come and go and take you on a wild ride. This is a totally instrumental ride.

It’s very rare that i hear something that is utterly unique and makes me have to listen a few times to catch on to what’s going on. SATANIQUE SAMBA TRIO which is neither satanic nor a trio (but does have some Samba going on) is a bizarre, energetic and avant-musical entity that has incorporated Brazilian traditional music, Rock In Opposition progressiveness along with electronic and hard rock. While things can always sound good on paper, SST delivers the goods. They have the knack to tie all these musical aspects together in unique ways. They do this not only by alternation of styles but also have an incredible knack for overlaying various ideas.

This is only for the most musically adventurous. There are several things going on at the same time and most of it is definitely for the tastes of extreme free-jazz (but highly rhythmic) lovers that utilize the influences of Samba, rock and melodic aspects of Brazilian music. This is music that is designed to melodically titillate and create bewilderment and obfuscation. If those are thrilling aspects in your musical tastes then SST will satisfy to the n-th degree. My musical tastes are all over the map and i surely couldn’t listen to this all the time, but when i want one of those musical trips that’s equivalent to a roller coaster going through an earthquake tunnel in Disneyland while traditional musicians play under the influence of mind-altering substances then this music more than hits the spot. This album deserves 5 stars for being totally unique, bold, daring and also hits that special funny bone that makes me laugh while being blown away. Not an easy feat. While the following albums follow suit, this one started the whole thing and has a perfect mix of ideas laid out in the most satisfying way. Brilliant.