https://ququmatz.bandcamp.com/album/...tering-days-ep
I Called Upon the Hillside gets off to a blistering start - definitely a sinister shoegaze vibe to this, and suddenly the sound shifts like the clouds parting to make way for the drum pattern and some more soothing warm guitar parts beneath, a kind of noisey drone thing. Is that a growly vocal part in the mix? Definitely unsettling. Like the switch to uptempo and the sort of jumpy glitch sound with all those cascading guitars that bounce around. Enjoying this more than I thought I would - not easy listening by any means but the textured nature of it gives it great atmospherics, something I'm always striving for myself. It isn't too dissimilar to the music I'm making at the moment if you discount the metal element. I like that warped choir sound and the little percussion hits - great contrasting sounds in the mix. The drumming is really interesting here too, sort of turns into a slow jazz shuffle. And then get another driving uptempo part. Could almost be a Can song if the textures were less abrasive, which is a big compliment. I'm enjoying the production all around... definitely something Krautrock about it the more it continues - and a welcome feedback conclusion.
Aj Q'uq'umatz has a slightly more discernible sound, each element more focused; I like the descending guitar/bass line, quite hypnotic and psychedelic. You're good at evolving the soundscape in a nice and natural way; there's a Psych blues feel to certain sections when everything kicks in, which I can dig. Not massive on the growly vocals, think that's the main turn of for me, but as a non-metal listener that's to be expected. Musicianship is on point though and the aesthetics are definitely not far removed from my kind of stuff. Is it a whole band playing or just you? Either way it's impressive stuff, would love to hear you play a non-metal jam.
My Soul to Exbalamquen starts in the most nonabrasive way thus far, can't get over the Krautrock comparisons, dunno if you like Tago Mago but I get those vibes from this, a lot of the atmospherics and drum parts give off a similar vibe. I like the 6/4 repeating section with that great guitar tone a lot, and the descent into chaos as it continues, really enjoyable section, this might be my favourite track so far. The distorted noise section is an interesting development, you consistently manage to shake things up enough to keep it interesting and moving forward.
The Madrid Codex has a real interesting thing going on; slightly jazz fusion in the dynamics and interplay. More psychedelic stuff with those repeating parts, I like the way things switch up but seem connected at the same time. Love that wah guitar tone it's really sweet. Lots of play and experimental tendency with your textures, time signatures etc. without being unenjoyable or overwrought. In a lot of ways this track so far is quite lightweight in its dynamics compared to the other stuff, quite airy and floaty, lots of space between the few parts. Drumming is on point. Then some hyper-accelerated section like a rocket thruster firing. Definitely impressed with the level of musicianship and the cohesiveness of ideas here, uncompromising and strong ideas; it's nice to hear. Lot's of swirly sonic space to get lost in, like the bit past the 7 minute mark, which is brilliantly tingly with a hint of something darker lingering. That light guitar part with that jangly tone is a nice palette-cleanse. This whole ending here is a great slice of shoegaze; the synth section that comes in is maybe a little too strong, slightly incongruous in what is either wise a tight sonic identity. Then comes a funeral-march of an ending with that fog-horn guitar and those trippy reverse parts.
Overall I really enjoyed this, certainly new territory for me. The only thing that I could do without is those growly vocal parts, as I said, but I understand that they are part of the metal aesthetic and they certainly weren't too distracting. Lots of great musicianship and interesting ideas - a great atmosphere throughout which you promoted through the use of texture, both things that resonate strongly with my own music. The psych and shoegaze elements were very welcome and added a lot of depth. I'd love to hear a straight up shoegaze track from you for sure. Good stuff.