A unique and wonderful recording. At first blush, one has the feeling that Profos (harmonium, electric organ) and Zumthor (bass drum, gong, bells, snare) are taking part in a sub-genre that has grown in popularity in recent years, especially among some Wandelweiser-related musicians, that of drawing inspiration from pre-Classical Western music from the Renaissance and prior. That may be part of it, but, more prominently, there seems to be some kind of allusion to dark rituals, even filmic scores of dubious provenance.
The single 40-minute piece is in two basic parts. The first is the one that evokes, in a good way, a variation of the kind of music one may have heard in horror movies over the years. It begins with a rich harmonium chord, soon accented by bass drum and a deep bell. These latter are heard in a slow, fairly regular rhythm, imparting that ritual aspect. The harmonium (perhaps augmented by organ) drifts into darker realms with an ultra-deep tone that sounds almost like a sub-contrabass clarinet layered in. All the while, the low percussion and gong continue relentlessly, providing the strong image of one being inexorably led down a dark passageway.
A little before the halfway mark, "grund" shifts abruptly with a harsh clang of metal and a movement of the keyboards into more microtonal areas; there are sections, in fact, that strongly recall Harry Partch's Chromelodeon. The rhythm as well becomes more stop and start, like a foot dragged and held for a second before proceeding. As the organ (or harmonium) reaches a high, fever pitch, the bass notes once again arrive, creating a fine tension and heightened sense of urgency, even danger. The work splays out a bit from here, the keyboards wavering, the overtones of the bells shimmering. Eventually, the atmosphere heard at the piece's beginning resurfaces, the dark procession continuing, ending with a cymbal crash and the sounds diminishing, trailing down that tenebrous tunnel.
A very fine, highly immersive and unusual release, highly recommended.
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