TERRA INCOGNITA

METABOLISMUS are a German band who were formed in the latter part of the eighties, they have sought to keep that Krautrock spirit alive and have done a great job with it but unfortunately they are relatively unknown. One big reason very few people know them is that they've had to self-release their early albums with small quantities being released. Since then they've been on small and obscure labels and they seem to want to be as invisible as possible as even on their web-site little information is given. I understand that this is a band which has had as many as 30 members over the years as they are constantly in flux. I also understand that each album is different from the previous one. This is my first taste of this band and I would describe this record as being an organic Electronic recording more than anything else. Oh, and it is really really good.

"Disconnected Areas Of Outer Nothingness" is the over 14 minute opener. It sounds like percussion, electronics and squeeking sounds early on then vibes and bass? replace the percussion and electronics as the squeeking sounds become softer. This is very organic sounding and melancholic as keyboards now drone somewhat as the vibes become less prominant. This is really good people. Things begin to intensify before 11 minutes as the squeeking sounds return. A calm follows as percussion comes in but it's starting to rebuild. Great sound 13 minutes in with all of these interesting sounds even bringing to mind "The Wall" with those helicopter-like synths. "Spiel 2" has more interesting sounds that build to the end in this short piece. "Die Grunen Locher Von Aztal" is eventually led by percussion with an Eastern vibe after this eerie laugh is heard. This might be my favourite track. Sounds cry over top, so good!

"Les Automates Spirituels" is almost 14 minutes long and a top three tune. This one is spacey and dark with what sounds like keys and organ pulsating and droning. It calms down 10 minutes in as sounds swirl slowly. It starts to build including strummed guitar and violin to the end. "Mutter Erde/Terra Incognita" is the almost 9 minute closer. It's Eastern sounding with intricate sounds as spoken German words join in. The words stop as flute joins in before 1 1/2 minutes. The flute then stops and I must say this is a very cool soundscape that is dreamy and experimental. It's somewhat eerie 6 minutes in like the soundtrack of a horror movie. The second part of the song comes in before 8 minutes as we get what sounds like fuzzed out harpsichord.

I dig this one big-time and I applaud the band for keeping that Krautrock spirit alive and well.