OCTATROID

Again TRIP LAVA is a one-man show here. Speaking of a rollercoaster trip last time when reviewing Joel's debut 'Oddball in the Corner Pocket' I definitely could not know what will follow of course. Well, his second effort reaches for new ups and downs, it's a really dangerous course on this occasion, excentric, a balancing act so to say, a heavy load for the listener, at least for me.

'Octatroid' presents a concept telling the SciFi/Mystery story about tyrannic king Meldagar. He was ousted by his people some day and prepares on a revenge. An evil robot (Gurgblah) and heroic eight-armed robot (Octatroid) are fighting each other ... and finally, with the help of a sorcerer, the whole story comes to a positive result. When knowing this you can expect a special dramaturgy concerning the musical essence. And it's not sursprising really that the proportion of electronical elements has increased to the benefit of a strong avantgarde approach with a technical and surreal share (Stockhausen comes into my mind).

The short songs are fading into each other, also opening the door to a whole epic if you like. Tricky rhythms are alternating with way out excursions based on electronical gimmicks all over. You will be frequently confronted with an uncommon bass style, frantic drums. The songs are offen escalating to a high speed performance, like on The Search of Zidrakong - hence it's strongly recommended to study the song details Joel offers within the booklet. So you'll get an impression about the dramaturgy - why it has to sound in this way. Spacey guitars are really rare like on Octatroid Reaches Mt. Meldagar - so much the more you will meet the whole nine yards of synthesizer and sample exhibition all the way through.

Blatantly ambitious for sure but less accessible. According to my taste it's too much of a good thing here and there. Joel is an artist who doesn't make any compromise. He doesn't have to, because managing everything on his own. Never heard such a compositional attempt before, meant as a compliment concerning the experimental attitude. Anyhow - I for one prefer his debut. 'Octatroid' is recommended though to such a fan base which like an excentric kraut/avantgarde sound.