C.H.A.O.S. The Improvised Sessions

Whilst waiting for their first full release C.H.A.O.S. (David Gurr & Ed) decided to release a 50 copy limited edition CDR on to the world! Basically these are long work outs, partially improvised around some precomposed structures. The results are great fun and they don't really care that there is the occasional cock up, they just went for it. The electric guitar does become a bit manic from time to time but I rather liked it because of the raw energy it delivered, for some however, it will really be too much. Deep Dark analogue textures herald the first track 'Tunnelling Out' with electric guitar sounds shimmering around the backing. The electric guitar becomes more prominent and after a few minutes the track is given structure by a simple but effective rhythm and a nice lead line is played over the top. There is then a slightly dodgy bit for a couple of seconds but all is recovered with a lovely organ line A sequence is thrown in for good measure, it sounds manually played to me but gets into its stride quite nicely. 'The Dub Side of the Moon' comes next and the guitar and drumming at the beginning sounds more like a grunge metal track, hardly EM but it did do the job quite nicely in removing the dust from the top of my speakers! At about the five minute mark another sequence does bring us back into EM territory a little but Ed is still going ballistic with his guitar playing, I think it sounds great just because of the raw energy, Megadeath meets Tangerine Dream!. This album has to be worth buying just to play to your other EM friends and see the expression on their faces. As the track progresses we get more and more energetic EM lead lines and the whole thing really does reach overload, they must have had the most amazing time playing this, I wish I had seen it. We can get our breath back for 'Gotan', the next track as initially it is a rather laid back spacey affair. After a few minutes a tribal type rhythm is introduced that really does get into a groove, Ed's guitar providing some nice colour. 'Tunnelling Back In' takes us deep into the earth as we go on a journey through cavern after atmospheric cavern. Just after half way a rather restrained but effective rhythm takes things along nicely. This is a very enjoyable track and should bring those round that are still recovering from 'The Dub Side...' Finally we have 'Atlantis'. The beginning atmospheric section to this was released on the Sequences 18 compilation disc under the incorrect title (not my fault!) of 'Mind Cavern'. This snippet does show well how the guitar and electronics are used together by the band but really leaves one thinking that CHAOS are an atmospheric band. The rest of the track correctly titled 'Atlantis' shows their other more upbeat credentials with a great rhythm really hitting the spot and driving the piece along in energetic style. £7.50 for a limited edition 50 release, surely it is got to be worth a try. (DL)

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