Kleistwahr - Where The Word Is Never
Kleistwahr is Gary Mundy's solo work. Gary Mundy is the founding member of the legendary power-electronics/noise-rock act called Ramleh, and he is also the founder and owner of the magnificent label known as Broken Flag! He started Kleistwahr back in 1983, had a pause in 1986, and then was resurrected in 2009. So far, 16 albums and some various compilations. Nowadays being mostly released on Fourth Dimension Records, the same label is responsible for acts like Splintered (read former review). This album is the newest, and it was released back in October 2024.
The cover design/layout is a kind of gatefold-sleeved Broken-flag mini vinyl-look with a CD inside. A mysterious and haunting photo with a kind of Asian-looking mask floating in a cold-looking lake. Something is sticking out of the water though, might be the hands and feet? And the album title makes you wonder offcourse, a place where the word is never?.... Hmmmm... Never say never.
This album offers 6 tracks, over 40 minutes in total.
The first track is called Ext. Nightclub 2am. And it does in some strange way, sound like a distant nightclub. This distant nightclub sound/vibe is being joined up with beautiful distorted guitar work. You could call it drone-rock/post-rock, but then again... it´s too edgy and experimental to be put into those categories. It´s an incredible epic and breathtaking, definitely a Swans-like feeling in there... the subtle nervous sense of an upcoming violent storm.
The second track Terminal Cafe starts more quietly. Murky industrial noise-drones, a thumping heartbeat, quivering, and subtle feedback all wrapped up in a cold ambient mood. You really get that feeling of a city late at night, when everything has been shut down. And all that is left, is the sound of automatic machines still working. Beautiful creepy stuff!
The third track As The Last Echo Resounds, is more angelic in nature and sound. The sound and feeling of the upcoming spring, the warmth... the smell... the sounds, and the change of the mood. But also with a heavy melancholic touch in there, you could be trapped in snow in a cabin somewhere. Spacy and crispy ambient guitar work, an atmospheric violin, and some really haunting vocal work. Later on, there is some excellent work on an eerie synth and ear-catching melody, dungeon synth fans would dig it by the way! Really otherworldly stuff going on here!
The fourth track Hell Won´t Want Your Soul. Starts with a dynamic distorted guitar tone, imagine a black-metal riff in super slow-motion! A distant sort of organ rhythm, a murky bass guitar, and some really unique and enthralling vocal work. Kind of a Bauhaus Hollow-Hills vibe with the song and the melody, which I like offcourse since it´s my absolute favorite Bauhaus track! The same kind of strength and focus more like.
The fifth track is Estatic Delirium. Somewhere you figured out that Helk doesn't want you, and you are getting rather static... in a rather... unpleasant way. Noise is ringing inside your head, restlessness takes over, no sleep for the wicked... a complete disintegration of the soul... seeking... release? There is no release. The very expressive progressive-rock kind of guitar work here tells it all, also with the helpful and painful tones of noisy drones. Are there any fans of Controlled Bleeding/early Brian Eno here?.
The sixth and last track is called It´s All Escape. The track you all have been waiting for. Psychedelic and heavenly desert rock sounds over a crispy and sun-baked land, with those excellent otherworldly vocals again. Might just be my favorite track on this album... this one... and Terminal Cafe.
Where the Word Is Never is an album that I will never dislike. It´s absolutely timeless, both having a foot in the old-school sort of sound but also looking forward to new ways to do stuff. Kind of a place where the vibe of early industrial/power-electronics gets mixed up with genres like post and drone rock, sound impossible right? Apparently... it isn't, Where the Word Is Never tells us otherwise. A new thing for veterans done by veterans. Impressive right? Do yourself a favor and check it out!.
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