Jim Kirkwood Hawksmoor Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Where the Plague Dogs Run') Please go to the Store to buy this item.

What a fascinating album this is! Jim told me something of the inspiration behind it, namely Nicholas Hawksmoor. He was assistant to the architect Christopher Wren. After the great plague and fire had devastated London there was a need to rebuild the capital from scratch. He was commissioned to design and build a number of churches of which six were completed. They were supposed to be Christian places of worship. Hawksmoor however had other agendas! He chose sites not only because they were at one time plague pits in which huge numbers of victims had been dumped (or even older pagan burial sites) but he also picked them so that they aligned to other monuments and obelisks, such as Cleopatra's needle, into a pentagram pattern! This is why Jim named one of the tracks 'The Devil's Architect'.

A chaotic percussive loop starts up like the clanking of machinery. A gong strikes then things become quite symphonic. Another bang of the gong brings in dark swirling windy pads, bestial noises and even faint monks chanting. It's a wonderfully atmospheric combination. Next we get the deepest and most menacing of melodic loops starting up- play it loud and let the floor shake. An urgent combination of sequences join it, like the circulating flashing swords of a Samurai. A slow lead line hovers above it all like a divine being watching from the sky. The rhythms now change and you can just imagine people working hard to make the architect's wishes a reality. One of the leads is rather bright and jolly however as if there is a wry humour in the plan. In the ninth minute dense organ sounds come in accompanied by sawing strings. A couple of minutes later there are angelic wordless effects heard from the depths. Near the end rhythm returns in the form of masons working on the stonework, or could that be the dead hammering to get out of the pits?!

The churches were based upon Gothic pagan designs so that shadow, darkness and the spirits of the dead played an important part in the effect the church had on the humble believer. Thus the title of the track 'Build me a House of Shades'.

An eerie lead line battles with dark pads of almost growling intensity accompanied by the sound of chains. Another more prominent lead starts up. A superb shuffling rhythm and sequencer combination join the 'fun' and fairly motor along. It's exciting but with excellent malevolent undercurrents. For the last few minutes all rhythm subsides and amongst the satanic pads you can hear a rather haunting and macabre version of 'Oranges and Lemons'. Being a freemason Hawksmoor seemed to be immune from much of the criticism heaped upon him. St Mary Woolnoth was the Mayor of London's (an office held solely by freemasons ) church. It had a black interior with the twisted columns of freemasonry, hence the track 'The Black Heart of Mary Woolnoth'.

Plucked strings can be heard over a shimmering carpet of drones. A lead line rears it's head like that of a serpent twisting this way then that. All sounds subside as we enter what is effectively part two. This is a very atmospheric section exploring the darkest corners of this dark, dark building. A slow pulse is heard. It becomes more complex as demons rise from the foundations. A sequence starts up along with crashing drums then a few minutes later some more excellent melodies join in - what a cracking piece of music!

St Annes in Limehouse was built on the Isle of Dogs, and like others of Hawksmoor's churches has a large mysterious pyramid in the grounds. Perhaps this is why the church has become associated with Annubis the Egyptian jackal headed god of the dead. Hence 'Where the Plague Dogs Run'. Its a dreadful place and would make an excellent home for Jim Kirkwood!

The track has a wonderful beginning with the sound of wolves over a decidedly hellish backing. To this is added a gentle but haunting flute. A slow but purposeful beat, half thudding / half crashing breaks the dark reverie. A melody literally flashes like a surgical laser only to vanish instantly as another sequence rumbles forth. In the ninth minute we get a superb bass pulse like that on 'War of The Worlds' just before the cylinder lid comes off. Over this a mournful lead plays. Two minutes later we are back to rapid sequences but with lovely sinister little sounds in the background. Massed sawing strings increasing the tension still further. The sequence becomes bass laden and even more effective than before. Pulsation grab hold of you and work their way deep into the consciousness. Jim's style is so well suited to the subject.