Liquid Crystal
Zombi
From their Bandcamp page, "Producing work that is epic in concept, sound, and artistic approach, the masterminds and multi-instrumentalists behind ZOMBI have re-imagined the architecture of Progressive Rock and dynamic instrumentals by carving a niche in underground music distinctly their own. The band's signature sound is deceptively lush considering its two- man skeleton crew ensemble. "Liquid Crystal" is their latest offering, and contains five tracks.
"Mangler" opens the album. It opens with some ambiance from electronica, and a slow, steady pulsing of notes. Slowly, other instruments are added. There is a murky and gloomy quality to the music. The climbing continues and then it levels off and fades out. "Chant" also begins with slow, steady notes and background darkness. Unfortunately, it sounds exactly like the first track. That's two albums today with the same problem.
"Liquid Crystal" opens the same way...a slow build up with minimal sonority. I do like that I can hear the bass notes, and some lead guitar is always nice, but this album needs some diversity. "Turning Points" is an eleven-minute opus. It begins in much of the same manner as the other songs, a slow droning of even notes with the temptation of build up to a crescendo that never happens. There is a long fade-out to the end.
"Black Forest" begins with some lead guitar notes. Here we finally get some a few Progressive elements that I have been dying for on the album. We also get a little more in the way of sonority, as well as some excitement. I really don't get the point of this kind of music, nor the contention that this is in any way, shape, or form Progressive Rock, save for the final track. Where is the musicianship? The meter shifts? I also do not feel this music is lush at all. If anything, the sound is thin and un-inspiring. This was a complete miss for me.
4 / 10
Nothing special
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Liquid Crystal" Track-listing:
1. Mangler
2. Chant
3. Liquid Crystal
4. Turning Points
5. Black Forest
Zombi Lineup:
Steve Moore
A.E. Paterra
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