WHEN YOU CUT INTO THE PRESENT

MOSTER! is named after it's leader and sax player extraordinaire Kjetil Moster. On this their latest release we have the bass player from ELEPHANT9 and NEEDLEPOINT while on drums and guitar we get the MOTORPSYCHO members. As the bio mentions a good comparison to their sound here might be if ELEPHANT9 replaced their keyboardist with a sax player.

"Nebula And The Red Giant" opens with sounds that cry out of the atmosphere which goes on for some time until it kicks into gear after 2 1/2 minutes bringing ELEPHANT9 to mind until the sax starts lighting it up 3 minutes in. Some killer drum work here too. The sax stops before 6 minutes but it's back a minute later wailing away. "Bandha" has this funky groove to it thanks to the bass as experimental sounds play over top. It's the bass sax turn to play over top 2 minutes in. I like the guitar a lot starting before 3 1/2 minutes as it starts to play over top as the lead instruments continue to trade off.

"The Future Leaks Out" has sparse sounds that come and go until we eventually get this steady beat as experimental sounds continue. It's more powerful before 3 minutes as the sax comes in making some noise. Check out the sound 5 1/2 minutes in, powerful and experimental. Man this is insanity. Finally a break after 7 minutes as it winds down. "Journey" is mellow with lazy sax expressions until a change arrives 2 minutes in as we get a calm with percussion and bass. Love the guitar a minute later. A trippy tune not so surprisingly considering the title of this one. "Soundhouse Rumble" features heavy drums and deep sounds as the bass sax joins in. The guitar lights it up 3 1/2 minutes in as we get a big finish.

It's been a pleasure checking out the music of MOSTER!, and while I prefer ELEPHANT9 to them people really need to check out this talented band from Norway. A very solid 4 stars.