The Operation of the Sonne

The pioneering New Zealand noise group hints at mysticism on this outing, and such sentiments channeled through guitars, bass, and drums makes for a compelling listen through two side-long suites of corrosive feedback and swaying slow-motion rhythm. The Operation of the Sonne is like a hybrid of Sonic Youth's Bad Moon Rising -- for all its paranoia -- fused with the metric propulsion of Faust's "Krautrock." The Dead C begin this scorching set with a collage of overdriven synth improvisation and pulsating sine waves accompanying a deadpan vocal courtesy of guitarist Bruce Russell. By the closing suite on side two, the twin guitars of Russell and Michael Morley are interlocked into wavering feedback tendrils that float over an almost funky rhythmic network provided by drummer Robbie Yeates. The trio levitates into one of the most hypnotic jams of its '90s recordings, and this passage is elating for the fact that it appears to grow out of nowhere. How infrequently such inspired improvisation is caught on record. From a group that specializes in such freeform strategies, this is a highly recommended chapter in the Dead C's vast discography. ~ Skip Jansen