- Elementary Revolt

12/03/2008

Split - Weeping Minds of Silence & Ximel

TRACKLIST

01.Weeping Minds of Silence - broad spaces of clinical white
02.Weeping Minds of Silence - mythology
03.Weeping Minds of Silence - a(ch)ile systrid zabor
04.Weeping Minds of Silence - nera faez (two dimensional)
05.Weeping Minds of Silence - a peaceful line
06.Ximel - gabeziaren barruan ihesi
07.Ximel - burua makurturik
08.Ximel - palabras ocultas (verdades ensombrecidas)
09.Ximel - gela batean
10.Ximel - elkarrizkatearen arau zintzoak

INFO

This one was laying around close to my stereo for some – oh my gosh! – I think months now. I listened to it regularly but never found the time or ease or words to get down to a review. Which I am sorry about, because a) it is an independent and modern release on a small label from a French label and b) it offers great post-hardcore of the complex and emotional (WMOS) as well as of the raudy and noisy screaming side (Ximel). Both things are usually intriguing to me and never fail to catch my attention. Maybe I was just getting used to the sight of the nice bluish-grey cover next to my CD-player that I blended it out of my conscious perceptance. Well, let’s get it over with, it definitely is deserved.

Apart from all the discussions about sound quality and business tactics, overprizing and copyright enforcement, one thing is clear: the concept of a split release has clearly deteriorated with the introduction of the Compact Discs. Because it is one-sided[1]. Simple enough, and that means, that an order of the bands is established. I fondly remember those double-A-sided vinyl platters, with one band on the one side and the other on the other side. That imposed a sort of equality upon the bands and liberty and emancipation on the listener, who was free to decide, which side would be his favourite, his a-side. Well, that’s gone and since it is no use to cry about spilled milk and what’s done is done, I’ll leave it at that. But I’ll mention Weeping Minds Of Silence first, because they are the first band and Ximel second, because they are. One more word beforehand: both bands get five songs to show their talents and that is just fair enough.

Weeping Minds Of Silence offer a complex and emotional dynamic that is usually called post-hardcore. Songs take their time to evolve, to grow and to finally erupt into the explosive and impressive bits they have hidden in their core from the beginning. For minutes they are content of going at it without vocals at all, giving the listener time to relax. They never get harsh or overtly brutal, not at all, no screaming and shouting there. No heads banged against walls till the blood comes. WMOS remain in control and in command of the tidal wave of music they produce. Well, they have been around for quite some years, so it is to be expected that they have gotten rid of the youthful eagerness to trash about in chaotic excitement during those years. Think of quieter bands on ebullition, if you will (Policy of 3 always were some of my favourites) but more melodious and amicable than them. Every band that reaches the stage where sound becomes more important than songs is enviable for that truly revolutionary step. (Just don’t start talking about Brian Eno to them.)

In spite of all that said about Weeping Minds of Silence, I actually find myself preferring Ximel. (Already in the olden days it was always usus to name your favourite band when reviewing a split-release.) And solely for the pure intensity and old-fashioned noise-rock they deal. In my experience there is an old-fashioned noise-rock band in every region. In Austria you might turn to Bug or Turn Out or Sensual Love. When in Portugal turn to Ximel. The classic three-piece formation, reigning the parade of noise bands ever since Jimi Hendrix lit a guitar on fire on stage and then rammed it into oversized amps. Heavy bass and guitar-riffs, distorted screaming, banging drums – every noise rock cliché you have been looking for, you’ll get it with Ximel. There might be a lot of thought or (political) message in the lyrics of Ximel, but actually I ain’t interested. That guitar sound, those unrelenting songstructures and that destructive-aggressive atmosphere of the music are all that I need to know. The global language of noiserock, a call to arms for all dissatisfied and disgruntled citizens of the western world.

monochrom.at

LISTEN:Ximel - burua makurturik