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This album is a collaboration between the French minimalist black/doom/kraut trinity ALUK TODOLO, and the Austrian martial industrial/minimalist/neofolk/whatever artist Albin Julius of DER BLUTHARSCH AND THE INFINITE CHURCH OF THE LEADING HAND (as he/it is known these days). The former have been reviewed here several times, and is frankly one of the best active bands out there. The latter is known to me mostly by rumours of Julius' supposedly controversial ideologies. I have yet to delve into his back catalogue (and that may be a while since martial industrial isn't my cup of tea - though this album has changed my attitude towards this particular artist).

This album was given to me by ALUK TODOLO when they appeared in my town. I remember that I promised to review the album, though it probably was a gift, and as it went I forgot about it. Not the album, it kept returning to my turntable, but my promise. Never mind.

This album is most of all a great example of what collaborations should be. Two curiously dissimilar acts teaming up to create something that is an amalgam, an alchemical fusion of the two, elevating both in a higher (w)hole. The steady and heavy motorik trudge of ALUK TODOLO, much cleaner than their previous much grimmer and dirtier albums, enhanced by DER BLUTHARSCH's harmonic organs, soundscapes and vocal melodies - barely audible, but definitely adding a human presence to ALUK TODOLO's sombre wake.

This album is surprisingly uplifting, considering the French's taste for doom and gloom; perhaps knowing the Austrian's musical past better would lessen my surprise. The four tracks, each spanning ten minutes, evolve slowly over distinct themes and basic rhythms.

This album is surprisingly groovy. It would suit most perfectly for watching the sun rise after the party at the end of the world. Apocalyptic.

This album still does not leave that deep a mark on me. I prefer my ALUK TODOLO dreary and disgusting, mesmerizing and necrotic. This isn't that. But in the end, a great effort, and an album no enthusiast of either acts should miss. Nor anyone into sombre end of the world doom-pop.

aVoid

TRACKLIST: 01 - . 02 - . 03 - . 04 - .