Avant-garde metal is a hollow term that says a lot and nothing at the same time. It can be used as an excuse by those unfamiliar with certain facets of the music genre, as a possible escape to blame oneself in front of others. It is an empty phrase, but as it is used for a small group of bands only, it is possible to get some impression of the art they create; in case some basic knowledge of this genre’s facet exists.
Spiderpact are from Finland; the native country of weirdoes like Waltari, whose albums have pushed the music to such limits that to top their attempts, might be a fruitless task.
Goatspeed into Magenta Vacuum reaches not for such extreme boundaries, but has some fascinating aspects nonetheless. There is the cover for instance: a triangle with spiralling lines and three sperms floating (?) outside of it in clockwise direction. On the CD are six triangles in decreasing size stacked together, while the paper below it would display three sperms circling into some sort of a swirl; the title of this release begins to make sense. Nothing normal seems to take place on this release and the following short descriptions of two compositions will give some hints why:
Stormclad into Nihil (Existential Penetralia) has some nice piano motives, whose part give this track an identity and work as a counter-point to the other arrangements; these are rather dark, slow and slightly depressing, while the piano play is cheering and fast. Interesting are also the samples in the background: they give the impression that the song takes place in some form of a pub, while some drunken fellows are screaming gibberish, bottles are thrown on the floor. A chaotic mess out of which the band wants to raise like Phoenix out of its ashes.
In Cells Dwell (Spirit), which comes with spoken words by Aleister Crowley -- he recites his poem
The Pentagram and for the track
Haunebu Jugend/Solitudo in Excelsis/Tinfoil Headgear parts of the story Absinthe - The Green Goddess were used, this time expressed by the band --, is pretty cool. Mixtures of neo-classical and ambient elements make up the track and together they create a somehow bombastic atmosphere, in which the sample of the aforementioned recitation has been woven into. It is a gentle compositions, something nice at the end and it closes this release full of chaotic and wild arrangements in a surprising manner; actually, this In Cells Dwell (Spirit) comes after eighteen tracks of silence; it would be twenty-third track on this release.
These are two examples for the art of Spiderpact and the facets of their oeuvre the listener is confronted with. Especially the song-writing and the approach to keep the total amount of repetition, be it the vocals or of motives, to a minimum, is an aspect that makes this release interesting. Evolution rather than stagnation, wildness rather than predictability. The term rollercoaster might be appropriate to describe what is going on here. Arcturus and Solefald could be used as a reference, but only when it comes to the actual outcome of the song-writing, the sound is different and not as extravagant respectively as harsh or aggressive. Spiderpact do not want to offend or push the limits of the 'genre' to new heights. Those five compositions are rather calm and show some glimpses to works of Morgul (The Horror Grandeur or Sketch of Supposed Murderer), Source of Tide and maybe even Ulver.
With less than thirty minutes in length, not much is offered here, but in some respect are the songs able to compensate for this; the emphasis lies on 'in some respect'. Those five compositions vary in quality and are not able to keep the tension and atmosphere up over the whole course of the album. While some great ideas appear in the two aforementioned tracks, other have some plain moments and even a touch of being generic;
Haunebu Jugend/Solitudo in Excelsis/Tinfoil Headgear. Real drums could further help to bring the art to a new level as the play of the drum-computer is quite sterile at times and unable to reach the quality of the other instruments. So, for a first release this MCD is quite promising and has some interesting moments. Nothing normal or ordinary is offered here. Wildness roams this place, well calculated but even better executed. Astounding good to listen to, not too complex arranged but still enough to keep the listener interested over a longer period of time.
This release has maybe one of the best song titles … ever: My Goat is Bigger than Yours!!
Sample: youtube.com/watch?v=nsqS-7tKZPo&list=RDnsqS-7tKZPo&start_radio=1&t=1148s
