Stian Westerhus & Teun Verbruggen

Existing in a strange Netherland that accepts improvisation, but lacks Jazz or New music sensibility, Belgium drummer Teun Verbruggen and Norwegian guitarist Stian Westerhus use electronics to create an eccentric program that’s as unique as it is undefined. Known for his work with the likes of Sidsel Endresen as well as production, Westerhus’ metallic string shrieks, moody flanges and arching buzzes sound most of the time as if they want to connect with his country’s Death Metal excesses. Meanwhile Verbruggen who has worked with the likes of Jozef Dumoulin and Marc Ducret, propels drum patterns that trade Rock’s monotonous back beats for intervallic pops, and patterns, but maintain its loudness.

Compelling in some fashion, Eastbound Monochrome allows listeners to measure how electronic flanges, organ-like tremolo variables and sampled sounds can burrow in among guitar twangs and percussion rebounds. However whether the tunes are brief. or in two cases extended, using both standard instruments as sound sources may aim for minimalism and tone manipulation, but end up emphasizing turbulence and commotion for their own sakes. Included though are interludes of silence, as on “The Hickson Association” that ripen into first amplified motion and then bluster. Overall though few snatches of melodic timbres are audible, mostly on “Alnitak”. But perhaps that pivot is more inadvertent than intentional.

Elsewhere and on their own, each player has created distinctive programs. But this time out splayed, strident cacophony seems to be emphasized over concrete planning. With experimentation trumping endgame, the session successfully lives up to its title. But most sound seekers would probably prefer atmospheric exploration in multi colors to monochrome creations

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. The Hickson Association 2. Redshift 3. Class B 4. Alnitak 5. Ursa 6. NGC 7318 7. The False God

Personnel: Stian Westerhus (guitar and electronics) and Teun Verbruggen (drums and electronics)