Xavier Reija: The Sound Of The Earth

Spain-based artists, guitarist Dusan Jevtovic and drummer Xavier Reija, reunite for a supergroup-like endeavor, including world-renowned bassist, stick artiste Tony Levin (Stick Men, King Crimson) and touch guitarist Markus Reuter, who performs/records with Levin in Stick Men amid numerous projects with others. Recorded in upstate New York, the musicians' noise-shaping, sound-designs and bone-rattling progressive rock improvisations often spearhead matters into parts unknown.

Jevtovic's winding single note leads, gargantuan crunch chords and searing extended notes interweave with surreal electronics permutations, and a heavy bottom-end, as Reija steers the largely slow to medium-paced beats with finesse and a powerful impetus. Moreover, the drummer's kit has that dry thudding sound reminiscent of Led Zeppelin's monstrous rhythm-maker, John Bonham.

Pieces such as "The Sound of the Earth" are built with layers, edgy phrasings, bombastic cadenzas and pounding beats. In addition, the band often executes gradual ascensions to lofty zeniths via the guitarist's sustain-driven extended notes and downright, nasty licks. It's a fruitful engagement, often instilled with Jevtovic and Reuter's intersecting and streaming EFX that elicits lucid imagery of aliens transmitting electromagnetic signals from another galaxy.

"The Sound of the Earth III" is an ominous, medium-tempo rock groove, spiked with the guitarist's serrated notes along with more electronics treatments in the background. However, "Lovely Place" features either Jevtovic or Reuter's—Robert Fripp style—legato lines. On a side note, about two-thirds into the album a bit of equivalence takes hold, largely due to the sound and mechanics of many tracks, lacking firmly grounded themes. Yet the exalted level of musicianship and striking chemistry drive home the obvious aspects that the band was in top form and indisputably up for the occasion.