CD | LP (Red)

The self-titled debut album from mind-melting metallic jazz trio Brain Tentacles is a journey in improvised and structured experimental sound from three venerable scene veterans. Featuring Bruce Lamont (Yakuza, Bloodiest, etc) on horns, voice, electric piano and synth, Dave Witte (Discordance Axis, Municipal Waste, etc) on drums, and Aaron Dallison (Keelhaul) on bass, voice, and synth, Brain Tentacles sees the threepiece weaving their way through twisted, seizure-inducing compositions that call to mind the insanity of John Zorn's storied project Naked City and Mike Patton's most erratic experiments. Brain Tentacles are masters of tension: the album moves unpredictably from mathy chaos to ponderous, juddering grooves that warp time in their wake, darting from one extreme to the other via insane rhythms and truly progressive, expansive songwriting. Occasional vocals (including a guest appearance from Oxbow's Eugene Robinson) lend an even sharper edge to the album, which is sure to blow away fans of instrumental and vocal-driven music alike. Produced by Sanford Parker (Minsk, YOB, etc) and features artwork by Jef Whitehead of Leviathan!

 

Recommended if you like: John Zorn/Naked City, Melt Banana, Shining (NO), Zs, Ihsahn, Dysrhythmia, Zu, Fantomas