The 8 Circuits of Unconsciousness

Sunshine & Lollipops

From their EPK, "you love Black Metal in both its first and second wave varieties […]
January 24, 2023
Sunshine & Lollipops - The 8 Circuits of Unconsciousness album cover

From their EPK, "you love Black Metal in both its first and second wave varieties and can seamlessly jump between complex extremes and traditional metal? But you also kinda hate Black Metal nowadays for its degenerated repetitiveness, meaningless posturing and overall lack of balls? Great! Get ready for S&L to fire up your full neuronal circuitry at once and knock you delightfully unconscious." The album has eight songs.

"Seal of Disapproval" is the first. Besides the backing vocal choirs, it sounds like pretty standard Black Metal to me, although the duo clearly has songwriting talent. The high screams mixed in with the Black Metal vocals...are they falsetto? They are impossibly high. "Turn On, Tune In, Fuck Off" is another blast of sonic energy. This is an odd strange song. The blueprint shifts along the way, keeping you on your toes. At times, it sounds like Black metal, while other times more elements of Classic Metal are mixed in. The ending drags on with colors of grey. "(We Are the) G.O.A.T." is a shorter song with grumbling bass notes and a raucous riff. This borders on Thrash Metal for me...much of the melody is missing and it's about the riff and vocals.

"Colubrum In Sinu Fovebas (Serpent Vision)" is the first song that begins with some melancholy. But it doesn't last long. A chaotic but structured vision comes later. The vocals are very lamenting, and it sounds like a (twisted) love song of sorts. "Possessed by Life" is another song that borders on Thrash Metal, especially in the instrumentation. It's a high volume electrical current that you grab a hold of and it takes you on a short ride, to your death. Continuing the spirit of the album, "Firdaus.0" is an unconventional offering. It's slow, hopeless and angry, but it swings with the passion of a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest.

"While My Guitar Violently Pukes" is probably a play on the similar moniker, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." But, its nothing like the title suggests. It's keyboards first of all, and it's tender in scope. "Of Vanishing & Vanity" closes the album. It's a painful, horrible death that you have to live over again and again, and full of desperate tones. Overall, I can't help but get the feeling that the album is a bit tongue in cheek. I mean, re-read the opening statement from the band. But music is supposed to be fun, isn't it? This album has more than one surprise, but I just wonder...who is the fanbase? Have some fun and give it a listen. If nothing else, it's unique.

7 / 10

Good

Songwriting

7

Musicianship

8

Memorability

6

Production

7
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"The 8 Circuits of Unconsciousness" Track-listing:

1. Seal of Disapproval
2. Turn On, Tune In, Fuck Off
3. (We Are the) G.O.A.T.
4. Colubrum In Sinu Fovebas (Serpent Vision)
5. Possessed by Life
6. Firdaus.0
7. While My Guitar Violently Pukes
8. Of Vanishing & Vanity

Sunshine & Lollipops Lineup:

Alex Ithymia - Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Veenus Christ - Drums

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