Yellow Springs - S/T
Another obscure release from the Canadian label Bent Window Records. This time, it's a new project with their self-titled debut, Yellow Springs. I don´t know if we are talking about Yellow Springs in Ohio or the English word for the Chinese and Japanese underworld. We´re probably talking about something related to some underworld. In Chinese, it´s called Diyu, and in Japanese, it's called Yomi. This electronic project has its roots in black metal, and the Bandcamp site informs us of sound/style-related acts like Beherit, Diabolos Rising... and offcourse MZ.412! (why weren´t they mentioned?!) Anyways! The release is out as a physical release, and offcourse on a digital one as well (link below!).
The artwork showcases a... I think it´s some kind of burning wheel getting torched by a flame. Not just an ordinary wheel, but a kind of horse cartwheel. Maybe it´s the sort of cartwheel that was used on a Phaeton carriage? A carriage that had its name from Greek mythology. The son of Helios is named Phaëthom, he attempted to drive the chariot of the sun and he nearly set the entire Earth on fire! Maybe connected with the Asian underworld? I don´t know. We have 4 tracks on the album, all called Meditation I, II, III, and IV. About 20 minutes in total.
The first track on side A of the tape is offcourse... Meditation I. The track starts with a... chopped sound of a vinyl player, a whooping eerie bass sound, and a gong giving it a ritualistic feel. A thumping menacing bass drum starts, with a lovely distorted sound following it. Chanting growling black-metal vocals are also added to the mix. It definitely has the same sort of sound/vibe compared to Beherit´s Electric Doom Synthesis, or early MZ.412. The intent of doing evil things is pretty decent represented here, not your average bunch of long-haired head-bangers here! Really dig the ritualistic live drums around 06:30, yup... there is a bloody sacrifice going on here. And yeah, the drums sound pretty good if you ask me.
The second track Meditation II is a short track, and the last track is on the A-side of the tape. A nice moody drumming on 2 cymbals, or is it one? Quite simple really, but it works! Very meditative.
We turn the tape to the B-side with the first track Meditation III. The most industrial-sounding track so far. Those weird electronic sounds and bleeps, and those technoid ceremoniously drums... very nice. And the black metal vocals (sometimes chanting) have been further altered, just to add a certain kind of cyberpunk and demonic touch to it. The combination is just... spot on! Just a matter of mixing certain things together, and you´ll end up having something great!. That is the case here (so far).
The fourth and last track of the album Meditation IV, is the most melodic and epic-driven track on the album. More in the style of Beherit here, especially with the vocals. Really cool electronic and rhythmic stuff here, and some great synth work here. Great way how the chanting vocals follow up in the melody that the synth creates. Great horrific stuff with a classy satanic mood going on!
And that is that! It´s a completely compact and thorough little thing. Every little idea of how to make this thing work... has been accomplished. Really hope that we will get to see a full-length of this act. Any fans of Beherit and MZ.412 will not be disappointed! The feel and vibe are there for sure, but it´s not a clone of it. Closer to being... retro and cool? It is, I miss the satanic imagery with all the mystery it could include... and this album does bring back that feel, with even a new sound!.
