VEHICLE

As soon as I start dropping awkward phrases like 'genre-blending', 'jazz-metal', 'tongue-in-cheek', 'avant-prog' and the like, any Mr Bungle fans reading this review would be forgiven for thinking "here we go again". But however fitting those phrases might be, miRthkon's debut album is no mere exercise in ironic genre-splicing.

This is an ambitious, consistent, fully-formed and unique take on avant-prog rooted in the kind of bafflingly complicated rhythms and uneasy harmonies that were pioneered by the likes of Henry Cow. Crunchy guitars growl and stab at chattering reeds under a bedrock of driving drums and bass, all of it twisting and grinding through a 69-minute onslaught of dense melodies that are simultaneously challenging and playful.

There's an artistic vision to this release which extends far beyond the band's well-honed, complex sound. The tracks are peppered with humorous lyrics and monologues which bring a welcome element of wit and surreality to the proceedings, as well as providing subtle clues to the "mythology" which apparently underpins all the music on this album. This conceptual element is bolstered by a beautiful CD booklet which features a separate artwork on every page, each corresponding to a different track on the album. Such attention to detail is a rare and wonderful thing and deserves to be acknowledged.

miRthkon's Vehicle is a compelling, entertaining and rewarding slice of idiosyncratic avant-prog. It's bizarre, uncompromising, funny, and rather brilliant.

Highlights: Flashbulb of Orgasm, Daddylonglegz, The Black Fruit