The Void of Expansion: Ashes And Blues

Belgian guitarist and sound artist Dirk Serries and Swedish, Trondheim-based drummer Tomas Järmyr meet again after the successful recording of YODOK III—their trio with amplified tuba player Kristoffer Lo—to explore more sonic options together. Ashes and Blues was recorded live in the studio in February 2015 after two invigorating live performances in Belgium.

The three pieces on the limited edition vinyl Ashes and Blues, are comprised from sketchy ideas but Serries and Järmyr turn the fleeting musical motifs into multi-layered, enigmatic trance-like and deeply moving compositions. "Paradox," the first piece, begins with distorted yet reserved guitar lines and fractured rhythms accentuated mainly by the cymbals. Soon enough, Serries begins to employ the guitar effects and creates various loops while Järmyr sets a ceremonial, massive pulse and both transform this piece into a stream of aggressive and intense waves of dense sounds, bordering with noise at its climax.

The second piece "Damper" is based on a subtle interplay between Serries and Järmyr. Serries uses his guitar effects to suggest a series of minuscule sonic events that trigger delicate playing of Järmyr on the cymbals and bells. This emphatic interplay patiently, and slowly deepens and solidifies with thicker sounds comprised of layers and loops of abstract guitar sounds and powerful, restless drumming, still with great control and focus. The last piece, "Consecration" features Serries and Järmyr exploring a new sonic terrain, more minimalist and gentle but one that still stresses a profound hypnotizing vein. The slow shaping of guitar-produced thick sonic waves melt organically into the tribal drumming of Järmyr, bringing this piece into a majestic coda.

Powerful and profound music.