Genetic Transmission / Moan — Collaboration 1
On to the music, this five track release is based on sounds both artists developed, then GT recorded three tracks and Moan two. The first, untitled (as all the tracks are) is GT. It’s an open field recording with occasional metal bashing and huge amounts of reverb. There’s a vague feeling of the sinister to it, but to be honest it’s more like a poor mans “How To Destroy Angels”. I’m already at the point that this album isn’t going to be up there with GT better works.
Moan grace us with track two, and then immediately disappoint us as it carries on almost where GT left off. And very quickly the dawning realisation that each band is using the same basic elements to make the five tracks of the album hits you.
Track three, GT again, same sounds again just restructured and manipulated just slightly different from track one. The reverbs’ gone at least. Spanning fourteen minutes, this track moves further into musique concrete, but again you know you’ve heard the individual elements before, so it’s losing it’s staying power rapidly, and over fourteen minutes you need some stamina!
Track four, "Moan", is the standout track, it’s doom-ladened, depressive, and beautifully sinister. There’s a phenomenal atmosphere to the nineteen minutes from the opening sequence. This is a well structured, impressive track and even though the elements are the same as have gone before, they are worked in a so much more creative way than the previous offerings I can forgive them this.
If you are an ardent fan of GT, then you probably already have this album. You aren’t been given any additional material on the album, it’s a straight reissue unfortunately. That as well as the quantity are disappointing. This isn’t the best GT release, in fact I’d say it was a little lazy. Moan, however, really do add more to it than the sum of its parts with track four.