This has been a highly anticipated release in many circles for many months and I think any expectations or hopes have been fulfilled on the release of this masterpiece.
From the opening pitch of Scott Walker’s baritone vocals on ‘Brando” followed by the unmitigated menace of Sunn O))) guitars, keyboards, FX, percussion, trumpets and feedback you can sense the ears are in for a treat.
Four years ago there was an intended collaboration between Scott and the band on 'Monoliths & Dimensions'. That didn’t happen but that loss is the gain of ‘Soused’ Indeed to hear Scot singing “No Raindrops on Roses, whiskers on Kittens” over the sheer power bed of Sunn O))) on the second track, the frighteningly brutal sounding ‘Herod 2014’, is quite mind-blowing just on it’s own. This is no jolly song by the way!
‘Bull’ shows Scott Walker’s vocals at their repetitive best, indeed, is there anyone else that sounds vaguely similar? This really is a very special collaboration indeed.
Fifty minutes of seminal drone, that could surely power a small city growls from the speakers. Depending on your mood may depend the volume you play this record at. Playing it in a dark room may require a special warning message before, you switch the lights out.
Rumours persist that Scott may even finally return to the live stage to play this music. So fingers crossed. In the meantime immerse yourself in ‘Soused’.
Pete
10/11
Brando
Herod 2014
Bull
Fetish
Lullaby