JHATOR

ZU are a trio out of Italy who have been releasing albums since 1999. They are into double digits now when it comes to their studio releases, and they are very much into recording soundscapes for the most part. I have their 2009 release "Carboniferous" which is a powerful record, while this 2017 release called "Jhator" is quite ambient. There is a darkness about their music that seems to underly it. Reminds me of BATTLESTATIONS although I would describe their vibe as more sinister than dark. I have trouble with both bands to be honest.

So we two side long tracks both around 21 minutes. The trio here are drums, electronics and then bass, guitar, piano and synths. Lots of guests adding horns, more electronics, cello, hurdy gurdy and more. The title track has the added words "A Sky Buriel" which was a practice where they would leave the dead body to the elements high on a mountain. A gong opens the song, then silence for about 20 seconds, and then another gong, and this continues for some time, although the silence gets scratchy and atmospheric as it goes.

When the music does arrive before 2 minutes it really does sound like it's for a funeral. A change before 7 1/2 minutes as we get a lot of atmosphere then it settles right down, really spacey a minute later before building. We do get some bass and drums after 16 minutes but this soundscape is about the atmosphere and mood. "The Dawning Moon Of The Mind" is where we get a lot more sounds, mostly intricate but almost distant. Experimental and exotic comes to mind here for the first several minutes. It actually gets quieter but then some life after 8 minutes. It's another spacey section but heavier. Waves of sound 13 minutes in. Some cello follows that will continue pretty much to the end.

A good album but I feel I need something that's right in between what "Carboniferous" and "Jhator" sound like. The middle ground I suppose. 3.5 stars.