SUPERDENSECRUSHLOADFACTOR — Decease Estates (review)

SUPERDENSECRUSHLOADFACTOR — Decease Estates album cover

Album · 2012 · Jazz Related Improv/Composition

3/5 · 2012-06-12
AtomicCrimsonRush

"Decease Estates" is the latest project from Superdensecrushloadfactor, a multi instrumentalist Avant prog artist, Gabe Buller. On this followup album Gabe again composed and produced the album using a 4 track recorder. He plays drums, guitar, bass, keyboards and mandolin and all vocals are courteous of his good self. His music is atmospheric RIO jazz fusion improvised using primarily guitars. This album resonated with me as a break from all the symphonic and Heavy Prog I have been listening to lately, and as an Avant album it is refreshing that it is not focussed on disturbing the listener.

'That One With Gapeworm' begins things with a repeated guitar phrase that locks in as an estranged slide guitar is heard moaning underneath. Simple structures of music make a fun way to begin proceedings and the twanging mandolin is a nice way to merge into the next piece of weirdness.

'Vandalize Stock Photos' is a lengthy piece with some outstanding free form drumming. A melodic mandolin motif chimes in giving the listener something to latch onto that may resemble an actual tune. The Avant approach is definitely present throughout but it is still accessible due to a high emphasis on creating an atmosphere that at times feels Oriental. Once again the drums are sporadic and delightfully urgent and off kilter especially the timpani and high hat interplay. The music continues with some acoustic that almost sounds like the guitar is out of tune, but I love how it is consistent in putting together chords that should not go together naturally, but Gabe makes them feel natural.

'Subliminals Repeat Until They Become Blatant' begins with some static that reminded me of Godspeed You! Black Emperor for a moment. There is quite a dark feel with the insertion of heavy notes that are dissonant and compete with natural figures. The metrical shapes on percussion are more consistent but still rough around the edges. Later the guitars are distorted and the heavier approach is welcome after all the jangly jazz playing. The drums really crash down hard and balance off the metal riffing.

'Key to the City" is a shorter blast of dissonance with off kilter guitars and augmented with vocals that are surprising after all the instrumentation. The vocals are processed and filtered giving it an unearthly sound.

'Progress' is a real strange one with actual vocals and lyrics that are esoteric. The lead break is all over the place with a rhythm that is consistent but the guitar sound is more like The Residents. I like the twin lead guitar at the end and this actually feels more like a song and therefore wonderfully out of place. The diversity of the album is compelling as one never knows what to expect next.

On cue the next track 'Oppressed Ones Take to the Tyrant With an Axe' (great song title), returns to the dissonance with sliding guitars sounding like a bottle pressed against the strings. The rhythm is fractured and again it reminds me of The Residents sound, minus the bizarre vocals. The guitar plucking in the middle is disjointed free form and very laid back, not even keeping to a time signature. It feels improvised but still keeps to the main melody, and it takes up most of the song, but I was waiting for the axe to come down. Sure enough, eventually drums crash in without warning and blast away with hyper speed and some lead guitar licks. After this shock of sound, it again settles into a nice relaxed style to finish off before cutting off abruptly.

'Vandalise Stock Photos in Your Sleep' is a very short 52 second piece dominated by acoustic finger picking. It makes a nice transition into the title track.

'Decease Estates' is the last track and the experimental jazz feel is strong. Guitars play switching from acoustic fingering to crunches of distortion. The drumming keeps a steady tempo for a while and then the cadence speeds up considerably. The track is one of the heaviest with the crashing drums and metal distortion.

Overall this is a solid Avant jazz fusion album with enough diversity to hold the interest. It is great to see that artists are maintaining an original approach to music these days, and it should appeal to those who are into experimental Avant music with strong atmospheric resonance.