Review: Veil Of Thorns Feat. Jarboe – 'Sun Falling'

VEIL OF THORNS Feat. JARBOE
'Sun Falling'
PANICMACHINE 

The Necrofuturist P. Emerson Williams returns with his critically acclaimed Veil Of Thorns project – a multimedia assault of art and music that has been pushing boundaries for over 20 years now. His latest release under the moniker sees Williams joined by ex-Swans member and avant garde music queen Jarboe for 'Sun Falling'. After a successful world tour together in 2013 it seemed inevitable that the pair would at some point have to join forces and the result was worth waiting for.

The album may only feature three songs, but with the shortest cut weighing in at twelve minutes in length its obvious this is going to be more of an exercise in substantial musical exploration.

The title track opens the proceedings with a surge of droning guitars and rolling industrial meets tribal rhythms through which the distinctive feminine counterpoint of Jarboe's vocals cut with grace and ease. The song blends a firm rhythmically pleasing grounding with a minimalistic avant garde execution that uses the repetitive nature of the backing music to from the evolving vocal line to create a feel of a ceremonial incantation being performed.

'Atmospheric Conditions' delves into a psychedelic dream scape that makes use of more definable instrumentation, if still undefinable in it's use. There is a wonderful 60s jam feel to this track and once again there is a very tribal nature to the percussion although with the addition of a classic trip-hop beat evoking the likes of Enigma and early Juno Reactor. Meanwhile Jarobe channels the spirit of Grace Slick becoming the psychedelic priestess, guiding the listener through track and eventually back to reality.

'Dust Storm' rounds the album off with a big dose of ambient industrial. The bleak soundscape drones and swirls with dark synth noises and metallic sounds to create a huge but altogether crushing atmosphere akin to being dragged through one of H.R. Giger's biomechanical nightmares. Everything, including the vocals sound alien and foreboding as the track circles ever downwards towards its event horizon and slowly silence envelopes.

If you thought previous Veil Of Thorns releases were diverse, then prepare to re-evaluate your position. There may only be three tracks here, but each one is a colossal statement of intent by two of the most accomplished experimental musicians at work today. Long time fans of both artists, as well as those with a sense of curiosity, should be more than happy with this monolithic recording.  

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Review: Veil Of Thorns – 'Eschaton & Celebration'

VEIL OF THORNS
'Eschaton & Celebration'
PANICMACHINE

Veil Of Thorns along with Choronzon have been the sonic vehicles for multimedia artist, writer, musician, composer, actor, radio host and 21^st century renaissance man P. Emerson Williams for over a quarter of a century. Even if you haven't heard the name chances are that you will have come across some of his work at some point. The latest album under the Veil Of Thorns moniker, 'Eschaton & Celebration', continues Williams' unique brand of sonic alchemy, which blends psychedelia, post-punk and experimental electronica into a myriad of formulae that remain melodically pleasing whist going completely against the musical grain.

'Eschaton & Celebration' is an album of serious substance. Often the “experimental” adjective gets thrown around in desperation when another description evades the reviewer, but with Veil Of Thorns it is perhaps the most apt. P. Emerson Williams takes the listener through layers of swirling synthesizers, ethnically tinged instruments, pure melodic guitar, deep drones and loose structures all the while guided by his Peter Murphy-esque vocal style. Songs such as 'Pleasure Machine', 'Mask Our Fascination', 'Messenger Of Night' and 'Oh, this Suffering Was Glad' blend his ritualistic sound with a pure rock undercurrent that remains thought-provoking but ultimately accessible throughout. While deeper and more complex, tracks like 'An Edifice Tottering', 'Glass Chasm' and 'System Response' draw the listener in and refuse to let go.

'Eschaton & Celebration' is an album that goes where others fear to tread, and yet it remains compelling and ultimately accessible. There is no unnecessary harsh tones to the mix, and the production keeps everything in a dreamlike state.

'Eschaton & Celebration' is another great addition to what is an already impressive back catalogue of releases. For anyone who likes psychedelic or experimental music, this is a must-have album. Even if your idea of experimental doesn't extend beyond the instrumental interludes on a Tool album, there will be something here to get your teeth into.  

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