THINGS TO COME...

If you love Zeuhl, Rock In Opposition, Heavy and Symphonic Prog, then you've come to the right place. This 2000 release from Stateside instrumentalists Yeti, is a sensational, and very successful melding of these styles, and then some..... These guys are right on the money !! First side, Track 1 - 'Two Fingers' (9.01) is as subtle as a sledgehammer ! I would say they've been inspired by MAGMA's 'Udu Wudu', HENRY COW's 'Western Culture' with some nightmarish tones of UNIVERS ZERO and the heaviness of 'Red' era KING CRIMSON. It may sound like you've heard it all before, but it's never been done in such a stunning manner. Absolutely gruesome low-end Bass, heavier-than-heavy Drums, spacey Synths and textural Guitar-work all create a phenomenally in-yer-face wall of sound. Angular melodies and tempo changes abound, only occasionally locking into an odd groove, but always inserting some sudden, violent twists and turns. You can also hear some searing Mellotron Choirs and Gothic Harmonium throughout the journey. A frantic beat kicks off 'Interstellar Biplane' (10.31) which doesn't let up until a swirling String- Synth appears with a lagging dirge-like attack full of de-tuned Bass. Not too long and the music picks up again with a fuzzy groove, full of intense Drumming and highly impressive Guitaring. By now, we are subjected to bursts of pure adrenalin. The song then returns to the ponderous dirge from earlier for a minute or two, and finishes off with a section comprised of a lighter sound of clean-toned Bass and a Synth solo, backed with a solid beat. A burst of Mellotron Choirs wraps up the piece just nicely. Side 2 features 'Go Like This' (9.10). This piece starts with a fast paced Bass riff, with some jazzy Drumming and light synth touches. Some atmospheric Guitar and nebulous noises in the background. This builds with a mysterious tri-tone groove and erupts with twisted synths and crazy rhythms and returns to the opening riff. Mind-blowing, pure and simple. 'Est Mort' (15.09) opens with eerie chords of unaccompanied Harmonium, then the band is back again, fully disecting and intensifying every moment heard on the record up until now, and churns out a whirlwind of sound which takes you, shakes you, and catapults you straight into Hades (and beyond) and never lets up. And I mean 'never'. I always return, but never the same. This is one SUPERB album, and I just don't understand the hum-drum ratings it has been awarded. 5 HUGE stars from me, maybe I've gone mad !!