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Samuel Hallkvist: Variety of Loud
ByHällkvist has enlisted an international cast to enhance his vision, including King Crimson drummer alum Pat Mastelotto, Danish drummer Stefan Pasborg, Ornette Coleman alumnus keyboardist Pete Drungle and Japanese performance artist Mai Ueda who adds vocals. None of the musicians met the others in person; music files were shared via the internet and the only common denominator was Hällkvist, who assembled their contributions into an intricate, nuanced canvas of rhythms and colors.
All nine tracks are based on the complex, driving rhythms that the two drummers deliversome electronic or processedand over these layers, Hällkvist construct melodic themes with his guitars, using Ueda's wordless voice as another instrument. The heavy, trance-like beats dictate the character of "Kill the Road," "The Maraca Triplets" and 'Ain't Renegade."
Elsewhere, the rhythms emphasize the guitarist's role. Processed beats gently encompass the soft, twangy lines of Hällkvist guitar on "Swarm Robotics" His various soundsacoustic and electric, bluesy and metallicweave the schizophrenic, infectious texture of "2nd Sunset," where the percussive sounds are pushed aside.
"Radio Waits for No One" is built like a mini prog-rock suite, with a dramatic, dark narrative, intensified by the processed sounds of the drums and guitars, spacey keyboards and muscular playing from all the players. On the addictive "Body Avalanche" and "Wigwam" Hällkvist fusion of country-like and rock fretting soar over the focused rhythmic palette. His fascination with a kind of futuristic twangy fretting is also evident on the addictive sing-along, "Urban Champion."
Hällkvist is a musician with a unique vision.
Track Listing
Kill the Road; Swarm Robotics; Radio Waits for No One; Body Avalanche; The Maraca Triplets; Wigwam; 2nd Sunset; Urban Champion; Ain´t Renegade.
Personnel
Samuel Hällkvist: guitars and other stringed instruments; Pete Drungle: keyboards; Pat Mastelotto: drums and percussion; Stefan Pasborg: drums; Mai Ueda: voice.
Album information
Title: Variety of Loud | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: BoogiePost Recordings