MONSTER MASTER

Norwegian proggers SOT are Skjalg Reithaug, guitars, Lars Andreas Haug, tuba, and Arild Nybord, drums, perform a quirky brand of jazz fusion with a distinct RIO feel and smatterings of manic time sigs and jerky spasmodic rhythms. The orgiastic music follows odd time signatures with jazz fusion and Avant textures.

Tracks such as Monster Master have erratic rhythms and are driven by everchanging drum patterns. The augmentation of the ominous but playful tuba by Lars Andreas Haug differentiates the band from anything you have heard as its rare to hear tuba intertwined with guitars and proggy keyboards.

Mann med Yacht is a great track with scorching lead guitar and the tuba blasting over a frenetic rhythm. The oddball vocals are a welcome addition, as previous albums were enhanced by vocals, often madcap and nonsensical. This album us virtually devoid of vocals.

Rolig Orken is a bizarre track with low, low woodwind and estranged guitar rhythms. It's a slow burner that builds to a sparse desolate sound of delayed guitar trading off with tuba.

Barals Grav closes with a twisted time sig and staccato blasts of melodious guitar and tuba. The rhythms are disjointed and jarring to the ear. This is how I like SOT, when they are inventive and daring. They have a dynamic energy that is bold and ultimately infectious.

The band had a scorching debut, Kind of Saltz, followed by the impressive Redwings Nest. Those 2 albums are still better examples of what this band can produce, however this latest entry is a solid effort that captivates the listener with sheer innovation. SOT are at their best when they go full tilt into manic arhythmic dissonance and bizarre vocals. However this mostly instrumental album is more subdued and not so off kilter for me apart from the mentioned tracks. But for its audacity to utilise unusual musical ideas and instruments, SOT are still a band worthy of our attention.

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