Wednesday, March 31, 2010

'Strange Keys to Untune Gods’ Firmament,' Skullflower

Like cramming an entire arena sound system into an apartment bathroom

Leah Sottile

At any volume, this band commands your attention. A haze of thick static and screeching feedback, Skullflower is like cramming an entire arena sound system into an apartment bathroom — at any volume, there’s not a lot you can decipher from the sheer weight and force of the sounds they create. Skullflower’s tidal wave of noise is primal and forceful, demanding that the listener feel it. Experience it. Like it or hate it.

Strange Keys to Untune Gods’ Firmament is almost completely devoid of key components you’re used to hearing in music: beats, lyrics, vocals. It’s hard to even discern the instruments that are being played here. By denying the listener those things, Skullflower changes our standards of perception and taste. They make noise that is absolutely un-ignorable and commands attention (whether that attention is positive or negative), and by doing that they create art that not so subtly demands listeners to draw parameters of what they believe is and isn’t music.

Download: “Skar Konstellation”

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