Lucifaere (Jim Kirkwood) Bones of the Earth

Vocal samples next - strange ones these. All this and we are just three minutes into the twenty three minute opener ‘The Visions of Papa Legba’. We then seem to be knocking on the door of the underworld. A tuneful lead line takes us to a different rhythm pattern, more restrained and tabla like. The next sequence is typically old Kirkwood, anyone that loves his music couldn’t fail to recognise this style instantly, yet in the new Lucifaere setting it is even more devastating than before. A brief atmospheric passage ensues but the rhythm builds again, this is complex stuff, the production is fantastic each layer of the exquisite pulsating tapestry being clearly identifiable. Real jaw dropping stuff. Another brief hellish atmospheric passage next but the drums again rise from the dark side and an almighty lead line like Satan's vomit explodes from the speakers.

Strange vocal samples contrast with the cacophony. A metallic sequence enters and this is overlaid by another and yet one more. A very strange section is entered into but then the trademark sequence returns and we get a final blast taking us to the end of one of the best tracks Jim has every composed. Absolutely brilliant. ‘Relics of a Future Age Pt 2’ has more very odd, Islamic type chants, then guess what? Yup, another sequence. 100 mile an hour one this with a slow funeral drum and flute over the top. This shouldn’t work but it does. Complex rhythmic patterns give the track a more aggressive stance. Lead stabs carry a tune of sorts which is then joined by a stunning lead line which completes the melody. Another laser sharp sequence is added and from a strange start the track is reaching perfection. But wait it is still getting better as chords from hell battle with the melody.

Abruptly all is change and we get an Irish / Indian concoction. Surely that can’t work, believe me it does. It only lasts for a fleeting instant anyway before we enter a more conventional Kirkwood section which takes us to the close.

‘In the Cauldron of Kali Ma’ is a very atmospheric piece conjuring up images of a primitive land with all sorts of crawling creatures struggling for survival. ‘Sounding the Mirror’ initially continues in similar atmospheric territory. The sound of some broken machine leads to a scraping sequence then a full on rhythmic assault. The rhythm suddenly and dramatically alters as almost everything else fades away. What had just faded then returns and superimposes itself over the new rhythm, fitting perfectly. After an atmospheric pause, necessary to get your breath back, the rhythm starts to build again getting faster and faster, dies back and a rhythmic sequence takes over punctuated by more crashes of sound. Mayhem brakes out again as even more powerful rhythms are added and an ethnic sounding flute provides a melody, of sorts. Things then calm down and we finish with a repeated sample.