Aufgehoben No Process Vs Gary Smith: Magnetic Mountain

Believe me, they are not joking! Right from the start, this album takes no prisoners. It begins in top gear, at distorted, ear-bleeding volume, and works up from there into a relentless aural assault. With their guitar-bass-drums line up and a penchant for riffs, Aufgehoben No Process are ostensibly in some mutated heavy metal lineage. However, as their music is spontaneously improvised and then altered in post-production, it is more unpredictable than any run-of-the-mill riff band.

On their only other album, The Violence of Approbation, Aufgehoben used two drummers and a pool of (uncredited) guitarists, bassists and keyboard players, improvising straight to DAT. The results were then processed by band-member (leader?) Stephen Robinson on his PC and reconstructed into something new and unrecognisable. This time around, guitarist Gary Smith has joined the ranks, as a guest. Although that album credit (with its telling "Vs") may indicate that friction was expected. Smith's stereo electric guitar is deeply rooted in rock, blues and fusion, and he fits in like he was born to the task. His playing, with its characteristic swirling, bending sound adds greater interest and detail to the overall barrage. Listening to Aufgehoben is like being hit by a truck; listening to Aufgehoben Vs Smith you can appreciate the patterning on the front grille as it hits your head.

This music demands a reaction; it is impossible to ignore it, dismiss it or be neutral about it; you love it or hate it. Count me in.