
Manuscripts Don't Burn - The Breathing House [code666 - 2010]This is a one-man-band avant-metal project featuring Davide Tiso from the group Ephel Duath. The liner notes mention his interest in Black Metal but in the photos he's not in corpse paint. Eraldo Bernocchi from Italian esoteric outfit Sigillum S is in the producer's chair as well. The music is largely instrumental, but unlike many bands of this sort it's a bit more captivating. The guitars definitely sound heavy but this release seems to have more in common with MX-80 Sound or Sun City Girls, particularly with the Eastern musical scales. Tiso plays every instrument and does quite a good job, especially on the drums. There does tend to be a bit more of a dissonant edge to it, given (perhaps) Bernocchi's influence. I like the track "When Uriel Shakes the Soil", which adds a bit of Birthday Party discord to the mix. This release has a great raw sound to it missing from much of today's metal and I wish there was more of this. So a very commendable forward-thinking metal release by Manuscripts Don't Burn. Open your mind as you burn your ears...      Lawrence J. Patti
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