Jim Kirkwood Blood and Feathers (Vampyre Vol 1) Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Bloodstream')

Well what a surprise, Jim has released something in his own name! Its many years since he has done that having favoured the Lucifaere and Ancient Technology Cult pseudonyms amongst others. Steve Smith or Trevor Newman might know better than me but I think the opening title track is the longest one Jim has ever done clocking in at over 40 minutes. Dark drones and mournful pads mingle with a lovely optimistic melody low in the mix. Guttural demonic utterances herald crashing drums then in complete contrast we get wordless angelic vocals as the melody returns. These are all banished as more drums crash forward. Calm descends then a lively thick sequence starts up. Its joined by a high register one whilst little melodic motifs skim over the pulsations. Fans of Jim will already be in heaven.

So much has happened already in the first few minutes. It is obvious that Jim is on the very top of his form. We get a breather of sorts in the seventh minute as all rhythmic and melodic elements depart leaving us to float on dark ominous pads. Things become increasingly spooky and spectre sounding. The mood lightens slightly though is still rather sorrowful. Ethereal vocal colouring comes in along with a bright sequence. A couple of minutes later an exquisite though unobtrusive rhythm starts up, rather unique but spot on. A scything lead line enters, my head nods and fingers move in time to the melody. Its superb stuff , both powerful yet delicate and restrained at the same time. A bell chimes out and we begin another short atmospheric section. An incredibly mean sequence begins, each note is so intense- what a sound! Sequence after sequence (I lost count of how many) are layered over the top of each other- pure bliss!

With twelve minutes to go we are given another breather but with Jim these moments are as equally impressive as his maelstroms. He can compose some of the most 'visual' music I have ever heard. Its now as if we are in a peaceful garden. A slightly Eastern sounding sequence is accompanied by appropriate wordless vocal colouring. Much meaner pulsations change the mood as we start another avalanche of multi layered sequences. More lead lines set fire to the air. Its incredibly exciting, how the hell does he do it? Over the last four minutes we go through many more changes of pace, exciting section being replaced by exciting section. The power of Hell fire contrasting with angelic tenderness. Never has 40 minutes passed so quickly. 'Joy of the Cold Earth' begins with jungle type sounds then we get a deep almost growling demonic spoken couple of sentences. A bass and high register double sequence combination slowly weave their magic. A rhythm starts up, slow and mean accompanied by various crashing sounds. A mournful melody ploughs its sad furrow. Another lead line is introduced, the sound chosen being a little like the main melody from Edgar Froese's 'Detroit Snackbar Dreamer'. This disappears in the eighth minute (to return near the end) as yet another sad melody comes in.