Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation: Succubus (Ad Noiseam)
This self-described "doom jazz" release isn't what one might imagine from the group's name — and, in fact, this Dutch septet is the improvisatory sonic alter-ego of The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble, a moody, jazzy, electro-acoustic group with an equally deceptive moniker.
But be it dark jazz, doom jazz, or un-jazz, the ensemble entangles typical jazz instrumentation with delectable atmospherics and percussive accents. Spellbinding layers of horns — often distant and dissonant, indecipherable, or practically human — meld with über-reverberated drums, slide guitar, wordless falsettos, and assorted strings.
Succubus was recorded by the group as it watched the 1969 Jess Franco movie of the same name, and with the film's arty inspiration, this disc ended up being less heavy than its predecessor, Doomjazz Future Corpses! Either way, this is a must-own album for fans of improvised ambiance.
Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation: "Erotic Love Queen"
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The New Christs: Gloria (Impedance)
Led by ex-Radio Birdman vocalist Rob Younger, Australian garage rockers The New Christs have experienced numerous lineup shifts since the band's formation in 1980.
Its first album in seven years, Gloria applies the group's long-form minimalism to a new batch of post-punk anthems, leaning on Younger's New Wave vocals and repetitious riffs that are perfect for zoning out.
Bloody Panda: Summon (Profound Lore)
After the substantial buzz that accompanied its Pheromone LP in 2007, NYC doom quintet Bloody Panda now issues its sophomore full-length disc, Summon, on the apt home of Profound Lore.
The group is led by Osaka visual artist Yoshiko Ohara, whose bewitching song echoes amidst tidal waves of distortion, dissonant ambiance, otherworldly organ, and wicked screams. Haunting samples and tabla beats add to the aural melangé — one with enough power and diversity to attract like-minded collaborators such as Ocean, Jamie Saft, Mike Pride, and Toby Driver (Kayo Dot).
This special edition comes with a bonus DVD, featuring a 20-minute abstract video for "Miserere," of which a nine-minute excerpt can be heard below.
Bloody Panda: "Miserere"
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