The
self-aware universe is expressed through patterns and not decisions. This is a
law of communication and when it is brought to light it may transform one’s
understanding of life. It was via patterns of frequent recurring that Echoes Of The Moon were made aware to
me.
At
first it was the cover art, which communicates a melancholy as it may arise
when someone connects with nature. Then it appeared as an indirect notion via
scattered references that the inner eye picked up. And I, the writer, just
followed the bread trail to the source, with a rather loose approach. Maybe it
was this loose approach, when one doesn’t expect anything, where a form of
communication can be established in such a way and the music speaks directly
and effortlessly to one’s heart. Or maybe I am trying to convey in an indirect
way, a non-precise way, that music has the tendency to create structures that
cannot be grasped through words.
If
I were a painter, I would have a different approach in communicating the beauty
that is enclosed within “Entropy”. But either way, or in a
number of different ways, I am writing about something that is not the thing
itself. When words cannot carry the emotion, the inner visual representation of
art, we tend to create new words, of just give up and enjoy the experience. So,
this confined writer, confined by words that is, has to establish a form of
connection with the reader. The writer/reviewer works as a medium between art
and experience, and he or she can only do it through the lenses of his/her
subjective experience.
Music, deeper than any other form of art, has the ability to communicate with
every individual, regardless of language, upbringing, education, knowledge,
gender, age, epoch. And that, my fellow readers, is an absolutely overwhelming
realization. Music can transcend words and images. It can go beyond and into
the spiritual.
But
music as art is also confined. It may be that it works in a certain way within
me and in a different way within you, or in someone else. How did that come to
be? Why is it not the same experience? Is it because the functioning of each
body is different and thus the experience is different? But we do have some
basic principles, which need to function in order for us to communicate. We
come from the same soil but we are different in expression and form. That which
unites us is the very essence of being. We are made out of the same stuff. Cooperation
and conflict can only arise because of this essence. And from that same essence,
art comes to life.
Art
is a means to explore and it can be done by both the artist and the one
experiencing the art. How can one not love that which is a fragment of being, a
shape shifting creation that doesn’t only move in space, but also in time?
Brock,
the man behind the art, is an explorer. As a creator, he uses forms, with some
basic patterns, like a riff, while evolvement is the key in every song. The
guitars lead, the percussions set the mood, and the screams come from above
like the fog in the dusk. Each song is a structure that revolves around a core
theme, changing form, pace and emotional intensity, creating an interesting and
beautiful exploration.
Composition
and song structuring is Brock’s strong skill. While at times, some solo’s and
leads feel that they could be more precise, closer to the heart, and other
times the songs feel a bit stretched, the overall aesthetics, the composition
of each song, the emotional imprint and every other element that works
cooperatively, allows the listener to sink into it and enjoy a beautiful
creation.
The
song “Adaptation” is moving into
psychedelic rock territories, with oriental percussion, while “The Tower Of Babylon” is more closely
related to the marriage of post rock and black metal. And in between them “Ideaologue”, a Burzumian song. Even
though the disparity of musical forms is wide, the whole creation entitled “Entropy”
can be experienced as a whole; with every different aspect of it feeling like
it belongs there.
For
example, the structure of “The Tower Of
Babel” is damn impressive and eloquent, while the listener never loses
interest. It begins with simple accords, ambience and repeating drum patterns.
Then the lead guitar is introduced playing a theme, which feels like a
narration and not necessarily a solo. Then in 2:20 the riff (the core theme)
and the voice appear together. The riff plays, the lead guitar continues, while
the drums maintain the same patterns and the voice changes from deep to scream.
The narration of the lead guitar appears again, while the second guitar plays a
similar theme and the narration transforms into an electric conversation
between the guitars. And that covers the first 7 minutes. Like a swing that
moves between mountains and the voice coming from the sky, sensitive and
aggressive, vulnerable and playful, it needs to be felt and not explained.
Listen
to it while jogging, or while browsing, or while eating pizza. Just pay
attention to it and it will speak to you. It is beautiful, it is longer than it
should be, it has heart, it is moving and creates visuals, it is rough on the
edges and not very precise and coherent at times, it is an exploration that
will reward anyone who will allow himself/herself to sink into it, and maybe
even become it for that certain period of time. “Entropy” is a beautiful
album where the flaws are part of its charm.
Recommended
song: “Tower Of Babel”
0 σχόλια:
Post a Comment