The Sandman Wears A Mask — Zel
This third release see the pair offering up five tracks that each run at a length of precisely 9.55, and each track sees the pair unfolding a very different variation/take on the walled noise template. Track one mixers together endless falling drone billowing with tiny textural static overlay- all to create this great brutally descending yet slightly playful vibe. Track two is all about compressed & squeezed juddering noise tones that are weaved with this great sort of chopping 'n' hissing tonalities- again the track displays both a tense & oppressive air, yet there's something rather playful about the piece.
Track Three strips things down a little with a distant & weathered mixture of rolling 'vehicle wheel on crisp snow' static texturing and stark looped winter air billowing. The track brings to mind a regimented line of skidoo buggies travelling across a flat & crisp arctic desert expanses.
Track four mixes together a large billowing ship sail drone with a taut & airless electro drill tonality. This track nicely mixers together a quite primal vibe with a more oppressive, grey and un-escapable electronic submersion. And lastly track five brings together semi harmonic drone sustains with juddering & hissing crunchy static textural unfolds.
So “Zel” is a highly rewarding and nicely disciplined journey through five very different takes on the HNW form. And each of the five tracks nicely balances creative texturing, atmosphere and sometimes a playful edge. All of this projects pasted release have been very consistent & rewarding, but I think “Zell” is there new crowing glory and one of the best HNW release of 2011.