Various Artists - Zelphabet Volume D [Zelphabet - 2008]The excellent Zelphabet series returns for its forth volume in the proposed 26 volume series and once more it’s another enjoyable collection of experimental and noise matter with this time around only three tracks on offer with one each from Damion Romero, Daniel Menche & Dave Phillips. Opening up the disk we have Damion Romero's Missed offerings which is built around a repetitive and very dense engine type noise drone, sounding almost like a boat engine on a choppy seas as it’s undercut by cross winds & slight watery like textures. It starts off been quite bleak & barrenly effective , but sadly it stretchers on far to long with little sonic movement or shift so by it’s end 17 minutes later it’s more than outstayed it’s welcome. Next up we have a Daniel Menche track entitled Grand Perpetuator which starts off in a simlar manner to the Romero track with a motor like purring tone. But instead of sitting in one place like the Romero track Menche build’s his piece in a much more rewarding manner with a dense mix of interweaving & shifting electro pluses, throbbing static banks and harmonic yet grim drone underbelly. Lastly we have the Dave Phillips track Recycling which is a glorious manic and at times noisy trip. It starts off with weird bird song elements, before jumping into sudden noise chop -ups. The rest of the track takes you on a deranged ride through weird animal sounds, crowd noise, sudden noise roasting/ chops and all manner of madness granteed to keep you on your toes. Another worthwhile chapter in this series of compilation that is only slight let down by the first track, but the other two more than make up for it. To find out more about this an the other volumes go to here Roger Batty
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