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This breathes “progressive rock” with every aspect of its being. The cover is pure fantasy/science fiction novel, the story on the inside cover talks of “the vacuum of time’s vast passing” and the tracks include Freeing the Wind and Victory of Ice and Magyk. If the prosecution needs more evidence, the album title should suffice. Throw in the fact that the album grew out of “improvisation” and we are looking at death row, musically speaking. Hiding behind terms like “drift rock” and “drone rock” won’t save them.
Of course, it’s completely wrong to judge a band so unfairly, but personal prejudice dies hard. It dies even harder when the album opens with a recording of the wind. But when the music actually comes, it’s a welcome surprise. Rather than a horrific early 70’s mess, we get a classic post-punk drum beat, four hits of the kick drum and menacing warning shots on the snare. The guitars, with heavy effects, are more psychedelic than prog, and add brilliantly to the sense of sinister dislocation. The overall feel is reminiscent of the dreamier side of Joy Division, with the appropriate underlying sense of menace.
The rising and falling guitars of Over Land Over Ice are both wonderfully atmospheric and gently joyful; it’s quite an achievement to have a piece of music which merits both these descriptions. The band’s impressive sense of control is on display on this track - they use dynamics amazingly well, resisting the temptation to explode into sudden loudness. This ability is taken on a trip into space on the final track, Freeing the Wind. Over nineteen minutes, this gradually builds from a single delayed guitar line to an intense storm of melodic noise
It now seems impossible to write about music like this without mentioning Mogwai and Godspeed You Black Emperor!, and Surface of Eceyon certainly deserve to be named alongside these bands. This is not just because they play “post-rock”, but also because they play it so well. They have a clarity and sharpness to them, a strong sense of brooding menace, and a pulsating energy when needed. A remarkable album, considering the unpromising first impressions!
CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR
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