Burning Swallows — Phantom Limb Sensations

Kovorox Sound presents Phantom Limb Sensations, a new double disc set by Glasgow duo Burning Swallows. Lea Cummings and John Cromar are the personalities behind the project, who are likely better known for their work in Kylie Minoise and Opaque.Despite their harsh noise/HNW/experimental noise pedigree, Burning Swallows is an entirely different animal altogether. The focus of this album can best be described as dark ambient drone colliding with electro-acoustic flourishes.

Phantom Limb Sensations delivers four long-form tracks over the span of 2 CD-Rs. Each piece, while interdependent of one another, follows a fairly homogenous structure. The opening track “Asmic” melds electro-acoustic tapping and clanging with some really ominous drone. The drone creates an undeniably eerie atmosphere as the electro-acoustic elements build over the course of the track’s near 20 minute length. The track reminds me of equal parts Eraserhead and the Medusa theme from Clash of the Titans. Track 2, “Ectra” follows a much similar path. The smoky, dense drone is the dominant facet of this piece with a clanging resonance that rings hollow in the distance. The final piece on disc 1 departs from the formula laid out on the first 2 tracks, but not in a very pleasant way (at least to my ears). The core of this track is made up of a long-range, blindingly high-end drone. It’s brilliance is almost overwhelming and hangs out far too long without a proper foil. There are some echoing wails that pepper the track, but I find the added flavor far too obscured by the drone.

The single track that makes up disc 2 is another long-form piece entitled “The Machine That Counts Your Years.” This tracks returns to the familiar territory of the first 2 pieces. The blackened drone is booming on the verge of thunderous. It’s like a ramped up vaporous mass, billowing and churning. There’s some shimmery resonance, sounding like sound waves deflected off metal to balance off the drone. This one will really rumble your ears played at high volumes.

Crafting eerie atmospherics appears to be Phantom Limb Sensations’ raison d'être. And to that they are supremely capable. However, as a whole, that album provides far too much of a good thing. So much of the material on this release feels incredibly one note, only minor variances separate the majority of the pieces found on the double album. I guess that’s kind of the point, but unfortunately I’m not in drone zone mode right now. The one track that distinctly sticks out from the group, I found particularly irritating to my palette. At the end of the day, I felt this release could’ve used some well placed concision. I feel like this all could’ve been said in 1 disc.