East/West Blast Test - East West Blast Test FLAC download

I guess it goes without saying that one expects nothing but the best from the likes of Chris Dodge and Dave Witte. So, when they team up to produce a CD, you could probably imagine how amazing it is. But I don't think anything can quite prepare the listener for the all-out piece of sheer, eclectic brilliance that is East West Blast Test. Right from the onset, with the blistering opener "Toga", you can tell this will be an album that you'll never forget. The transitions between low and high, feedback'n'all, provide a fascinating take on the whole hardcore/grindcore/experimental/avant-garde genres of music. It's a surprise to many that, during the writing process for this CD, many of the drum tracks were written without anything to base them upon. The perfection with which Dodge then went on to flesh out this tracks is incredible, as neatly demonstrated by the stunning track "Fez" or, by the almost Jazzy, "Swiss Alphorn". The saxophones, the frantic vocals, the grindcore style drums and the demented guitars all add up to create a truly atmospheric sound, worthy of any avant-garde, post-Naked City style band. Despite it only being 17 minutes long, this is an album that you'll not forget in any hurry. All 27 tracks leave behind a distinct impression on the listener, even if the song titles themselves aren't quite so easy to remember. Now, if only every band could be this good! 9/10