THREE WISE MONKEYS

The opening composition and title track is an example of their often unpredictable and uninhibited approach. It is a short piece and more like a spontaneous jam than a carefully constructed reflection of what might be on offer later on. In many ways Perihelion could be considered the weakest track by some. Its structure appears to defy a number of usual compositional conventions, comprising of distorted guitars and a strong pulsing rhythm before concluding unexpectedly and oddly with a drum finale.

The next track, Sol Invictus, is one of the best compositions of the album. It has a memorable melody and features lots of impressive guitar work ending with Kypo producing an exuberant and thoroughly exciting solo. Acid 15 is a track that exudes excitement and unpredictability. Its liberal use of unusual time signatures, tapping rhythms and malleable guitar tones ensure that the listener is never placed in a state of complacency. It also features a wonderful guitar outro drenched with well-chosen effects.

Zeitgeist is another skilfully played arrangement. The piece is rich in delay effects and has a recurring theme that is explored, developed and improvised throughout. It also includes a heavy and complicated rhythmic middle section that creates a great groove. It is an impressive track and a good example of how exciting this type of music can be. Zeitgeist also has some interesting use of harmonics in an extended psychedelic section. The appearance of the recurring theme once more ends the piece. The format and structure of the tune is particularly strong.

Contrastingly, other tunes such as Evolutions and Spider Fest appear to be much less structured and, as such, have more in common with the title track. Whilst these tracks are played with much skill and aplomb (for example, the fine bass solo in Spider Fest), they feel as if they may have been conceived primarily as band jams. Zeitgeist, however, showed that this band is more than capable of creating structured and memorable tunes within this genre.

The most immediately accessible tune on offer is undoubtedly Choke which begins with a much more straight forward rock sound; so much so that comparisons with the Swedish guitar band Plankton could be made. However, this illusion is soon dispelled as the tempo increases and a bass solo emerges to create a driving groove with a definite fusion feel.

Pwnagetool is innovative in its scope and vision. Indeed, what emerges could be classed as perhaps an example of fusion reggae. The tune has a good vibe and is surprisingly catchy before a more experimental section takes over a minute and a half in. This section and the bonus track F#ck Kingsmill which follows features a modulating and droning bass effect similar to the sounds associated with and perfected by Radek BOND Bednarz. Pwnagetool concludes with some heavy guitar riffs and soloing before ending with more effects. The combination of these seemingly diverse approaches makes this track very interesting and never predictable.

Overall, I would recommend Three Wise Monkeys' Perihelion to anybody who likes to hear music played with the intensity of bands such as Naikaku or Ohm. However, as an album, it tends to lack an overall cohesion at times and some tracks definitely appear to be much more fully formed than others. The releases shorter running length than some prog fans might be accustomed to may dissuade some from investigating further. However, I understand that Three Wise Monkeys have in the past concentrated on distributing their music on newer media such as phone apps and downloads rather than CDs. Therefore, in this context a release of 28 minutes might be deemed appropriate.

(This review by Owen D was originally published by DPRP.net Issue 2013-076)

The band is currently made up of Kypo on guitar, Alex King on bass and Brendon Waterman on drums. The EP starts off with 'Svengali' (4:05) which has some nice chunky guitar parts, but the music travels from heavy to laid back several times throughout the track. It's not just a full-bore, stoner-guitar attack, but it is surprisingly dynamic, and all of the instruments shine. The rhythm switches around several times through the course of the song, but riffs and melodies still stick out even with the meter changes that flow along quite well.

Where the first track opens heavy and strong, 'Durka Durka' (5:52) begins much softer with pensive, jangly guitar and smoother drums and bass. Again, there is a level of complexity in the rhythm. The bass gets the melody in some places, and even plays along with the guitar when the music eventually intensifies, then goes into a tasty guitar solo with the bass throwing out its own series of notes. The music soon calms, but the bass brings it all back again. Again, we get another solid, heavy prog rocking track with swashes of chords mingling with faster guitar and bass notes. All the while the drums are also making themselves known, not content to just sit back and support, but providing the complex rhythm and adding to the music at an even percentage as the other instruments.

The EP ends with the most heavy track of all, 'Procrustes' (3:36). Solid guitar riffage starts it off, but then the bass goes into staccato mode pumping out notes as the guitar plays along with a smooth solo. The drums once again fit into the complexity nicely, filling in the holes when needed and cutting back when not needed. Wow, that bass is pretty amazing too.

This goes by way too fast and hopefully is a sign of something bigger to come soon. This is a very talented instrumental band that tends to stay in a mode somewhere around heavy fusion prog and a real thinking-man's prog metal. It is a very enjoyable EP whose only fault is that it is too short. I do think its cool that they also provide the deluxe edition which is aimed at encouraging listeners to play along, but you'd have to be quite good at it to keep up with any of these three musicians. Easily 4 stars, but I wish it were longer.