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Belgian label Consouling Sounds is our country's leading expert in all things drone and ambient. In a way, I also think Consouling Sounds is at least partially responsible for the genre to evolve and alter. I mean, in my life I have heard countless of ambient albums and seen many acts perform their breathtaking music live but I have never witnessed something as immersive, danceable and intense as the three gigs I plunged into last night. Drone music is no longer the dark and lazy cousin of ambient, oh no. Drone is the new jazz.
A-Sun Amissa
I arrived just in time to climb up the stairs towards the Trix Bar and find myself a nice spot to see what this A-Sun Amissa was all about. I already heard the new album (and I'm listening to it this very moment) so I had a decent idea. However, the album contains a plethora of guest appearances and on the gig the band was a trio but that didn't seem to harm the quality and intensity.
I think the safest thing I can do, is compare A-Sun Amissa to acts like Dale Cooper Quartet and the Dictaphones or Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble. With a blend of drones, experimental ambient and dark jazz, this act convinced me from the very beginning. Their set was the slowest, the only one without a trace of percussion but nonetheless an awe-inspiring and highly immersive one. It gave me goosebumps and I'm damn sure that I wasn't the only one. For a period of time, the entire audience must have felt like they were extra's in the new Twin Peaks series.
I think the safest thing I can do, is compare A-Sun Amissa to acts like Dale Cooper Quartet and the Dictaphones or Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble. With a blend of drones, experimental ambient and dark jazz, this act convinced me from the very beginning. Their set was the slowest, the only one without a trace of percussion but nonetheless an awe-inspiring and highly immersive one. It gave me goosebumps and I'm damn sure that I wasn't the only one. For a period of time, the entire audience must have felt like they were extra's in the new Twin Peaks series.
Barst
- In the Belgian drone and ambient scene, Barst is pretty much the odd one. Most of our acts in this scene focus of layers of drones and soundscapes and a trance-inducing atmosphere. Not Barst. He turns his gigs into dance parties by throwing heaps of beats and percussion into his music. That's not all. He brings in some guest musicians too, including Monnik, who was able to showcase his throat singing and his fierce screams.
I remember thinking of one of his songs as 'Born Slippy' of the drone-ambient scene and another one of Front 242 meeting Aidan Baker, or something like that. Nevertheless, Barst live is always an adventure and in that aspect, this gig was no different. Even I, mister stiff, was dancing a little bit. This evening was getting better and better and the headliner was still to come.
Yodok III
For those who don't know, Yodok III is the new wave of jazz collaboration between Kristoffer Lo, Tomas Järmyr and Dirk Serries. On their own, each of them makes excellent, progressive and experimental music but together they seem to shine like no other. At least, that is the impression I had last night. I know that collaborations make artists better, more versatile too, but this was simply out of this world.
The concert started like many of the Dirk Serries concerts I have seen in my life. Sluggish soundscapes and drones gently filled the room before the other two started interfering. The dynamic and often insane drums of Tomas turned the whole thing into free jazz while Kristoffer added a touch of gloominess. From then on, the music grew, gained momentum and intensity. Hell, quite often even Dirk Serries was headbanging. Yeah, headbanging, to jazz, because why not. This gig had more intensity that most of the metal gigs I have seen (and believe, that is a lot).
The concert started like many of the Dirk Serries concerts I have seen in my life. Sluggish soundscapes and drones gently filled the room before the other two started interfering. The dynamic and often insane drums of Tomas turned the whole thing into free jazz while Kristoffer added a touch of gloominess. From then on, the music grew, gained momentum and intensity. Hell, quite often even Dirk Serries was headbanging. Yeah, headbanging, to jazz, because why not. This gig had more intensity that most of the metal gigs I have seen (and believe, that is a lot).
Epilogue
I often try to indicate a winner, an imaginary price for best gig of the evening but I'm not going to do that here. For me, A-Sun Amissa won in sound, Barst won in party-caliber and Yodok III won in experience and intensity. Perhaps the biggest winner of the night was Consouling Sounds. Them or the audience. I think it's going to be extremely tough to equate the sheer quality that pierced our eardrums last night. Like I said, drone is the new jazz and it can get bloody heavy...
Serge
Serge
