IKIHEVONEN PROMO 2008

I got this promo cd as a kind gift from the group's drummer, after expressing my enthusiasm towards their music. My first touch to them occurred on a gig, held upon a grill stand's roof. Thia promo CD is produced with very raw sounds, similar to Amon Düül's first album. Emphasis directs to their chaotic live sound, quite effectively starting abrupt from applauses and cheers from and end of some of their set. The audience question about purchasing their album had to wait till Mr. Shinji Kanki managed to lock up the group to a studio. On these live cuts I appreciate the yet more powerful presence of archaic innovation, forceful rhythm section battering on hypnotic waves for wildly blowing guitar. Sadly the recordings are especially on the beginning of the disc only partial excerpts, but they certainly give a honest impression of their stuff, and possibly indicate elements they wanted to study in future. I also like the attitude of presenting the music by this direct way, not avoiding roughness or impression of unfinished recording production. There are some very strongly effected guitar sequences, open wanderings, ethereal soundscapes and primitive dronings with fuzz-kicked bass guitar. Most complete songs are on fifth and two last tracks. On track six there are also some discussions of the musicians after destructive sonic assault, the disc thus revealing the human presence of both group and ther audience, searching mutual communication channels.

Though I wouldn't recommend to spend too much efforts or money for this disc, I believe anybody liking open music like more earthbound incarnation of Øresund Space Collective or more confused version of Earthless might enjoy this as a curiosity. I wonder what the guys are up to now, riding on The Eternal Horse still or not, I hope all well for them. If the name Ikihevonen haunt's on concert lists nearby, don't hesitate to take a ride.