From the savage burst of noise that opens ‘White Mountain’, slowly draining down into a constant drum beat and gradual instrumentation, to the twinkling, fairy light synths that close ‘Circular Ruins’ this group of Seattle experimentalists do their utmost to confuse, delight and assault the listener with their latest album.

Moving on from their Totem trilogy, culminating in a clash of Eastern and Western influences that simultaneously draws you in and pushes you away; blunt, Goblin infused electronica back the sounds of a loose jam session, each musician evolving the sound with their own ideas and talents.

The differences between the tracks is disorientating and yet there’s no doubt that each belongs on the album, occupying the space allowed fully and never gilding the lily. After the deep end introduction you’re thrown into ‘γη-νομος _ GNOMI’, a dose of psychedelia laced melody that builds gently over the seven minutes and guides you into the more dominant ‘Arche’. All pounding drum beats, held together by the background hints of riff and spaced out electronica, it moves steadily, pushing you to the half way mark.

‘Cave of Light’ is the opus here. Transcending genres as if they were nothing; chant like vocals, strings, even parts akin to Sigur Ros rest alongside up tempo, tribal drumming and contradict the inexplicably dark – almost blackened – atmosphere.

Far West ( Important Records) is the perfect combination of mind-melting, genre bending weirdness and accessibility. Fans of the band will find plenty to love here while newcomers will find themselves immersed in the world of Bukkake (stop sniggering), wanting to uncover their back catalogue.

8.5/10

Matthew Tilt

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