Esperanza Esperanza

Strange thudding rhythms and rasping half human sounds as well as faintly metallic noises bring to mind strange mutant aliens dancing around an ancient shrine. Things then get calmer and noises, as if plants are trying to force their way up through a gently yielding soil, add to the atmospherics. The rhythm is revitalised and we are propelled forward. Peculiar rhythms and the occasional simple melody are the order of the day. It is hard to put ones finger on it but there is a sort of malevolence underlying most of the tracks. The rhythms shift in a rather unpredictable manner and the background effects are slightly unnerving. Some of the images created are rather vivid and very often disturbing. This certainly isn’t easy listening but I found it hard to drag myself away from it. It is definitely not recommended to listen to this with the lights out as a heart attack could quite likely be on the cards. Half heard vocals can be heard occasionally though not to anything like the same extent as were used by Endura. Things in fact get weirder and even more disturbing as the album progresses. The seventh track contains some great demonic spoken vocals, Stuart J. Harris should love this bit. Recommended to all those that like strange stuff which is dark around the edges. (DL)

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