Sebastian Tomb — Summer Of Our Discontent
Summer Of Our Discontent is a new three-track release from Berlin’s Sebastain Tomb- who have been making waves in the walled/ textured noise scene of late. I’ve already reviewed a two-track release from last year (Whatever Exists Preys), and a recent short split they did with Sado Rituals( Ostara)- I'd enjoyed both of these…so I was keen to hear this release, which is been sold as their first full length.
The release is a digital-only affair- it appears on Poland’s Gates Of Hypnos. Cover artwork wise we get a monochrome picture of a 1950s model in a bikini lying with her eyes closed on a Roman mosaic of dancing women. The release can be found here
It takes in Summer Of Our Discontent pt 1 to 3. So, the first track is the longest here at the 11.59 mark- it’s built around a selection of two/ maybe three similarly toned rumbling textures. These each appear to be moving at slightly different paces-it creates this feeling of amplified shifting earth plates rubbing & subtle shifting. As the track progresses the feel of shift seems to increase/ expand- but I’m unsure how much of this is just a trick of the ‘wall’. Also, the speed of the whole thing seems to shift up & down- but this I’m positive is a sonic illusion. I’m also noticing a neat crinkle-bound subtone sweep from time to time, which is rather effective. So, a good start to proceedings.
The next track slides in at just under the eight-minute mark. And here we find a tightly woven mixture of judder-semi-spinning low end, rapid ‘n’ rolling billow, and some slight grittily subtone detail. This ‘wall’ is nicely surrounding and at points almost 3D-like in its presentation. To be honest, I could have easily listened to this track for half an hour plus, as the use & layering of the textures is so entrancing.
The third and final track hits dead on the ten-minute mark. It opens with a short sample of a woman talking to a man about going to a party, then we’re into the ‘wall’- and boy they’ve saved the most texturally interesting for last. It’s a detailed and busy blend of low-key knock, ice skate scraping, and galloping grit. The balance of the textures is wonderful realized/balanced. And as the track unfolds one's mind is following first one texture after another. I’m positive there is a real 'n' active shift going on here, certainly in the thinner gritty sweep side of things, but possibly in the other elements too.
In finishing Summer Of Our Discontent is a very impressive release- with each of the three walls being very well-tooled & realized. I guess it’s just a full length at around the thirty-minute mark, but I’d certainly like to hear the project stepping out into longer-length work in the near future. If you enjoy cleverly textured & detailed textured noise/ walling this is a must!.