Here we have the first release in quite some time from this Scottish droning  & baying guitar-based project. Quakes is a CDR release- featuring seven tracks over its two-disc run. There is a decent shift in both tone and feel from track-to-track.

The two CDRs are presented in cartridge like double case, with abstract shape-based art with black ink on yellow. The release can be brought directly from here 

Opaque started in the early 2000’s. To date, it has seventeen other releases to its name- taking in eight albums, with the rest of the number made of singles/ EP’s.  It was initially the solo project of Lea Cummings ( Kylie Minoise, King Futile, Official Music Team, etc)- though it has had other members. For this release, it’s two a piece, taking in Cummings & Sarah Glass, who has worked with Lea on quite a few projects.

The first disc has five tracks and the second two. As I mentioned in my intro, there’s a fair bit of different moods/ tones explored, with it being a consistent release throughout. My favourite moments come in the form of “The City Of Gold And Lead” which brings together a repetitive, meaty chug with wailing and wiry baying guitar tones- which at points take on like an almost fed through feedback harmonica tone.  There’s the pensive and moody, clean/ slightly detuned tollings of “Under The Golden Wall”.

Later on, we have galloping, crude, and discordant rock ‘n’ roll meets spy TV theme covered fuzz of “Prisoner In the Pit”. And the epic “The Pyramid Of Beauty” which begins with a spaced sways of uneasily baying guitar tone. As it progresses, the tones seem to nicely loop back into each other, creating this huge/ effective churning and lashing sea of sound- but with a bright, at times malevolent feel with in it’s guts

Even though I’ve followed Mr Cummings work over many years, I’d all but forgotten about  Opaque, as it’s been that long since the project put out a release. It’s certainly great to see new material from it, and I hope we won’t have to wait so long for a follow-up!