Once in a while you get an artist release some music that is so far away from anything that has ever been done before that is very difficult to even draw any comparisons from anything else. Aokigahara a duo from Bournemouth are one such band whose experimental self-styled Ambient Modern Post Rock creates in their own words “dystopian, pre-apocalyptic atmosphere through modern post-rock soundscapes. Through unhinged naked vocals dwells the dark thematic ramblings of social alienation and depression in the 21st Century”. The EP was recorded at Studio Luca with Bournemouthís Scotty Parfett who with Morgan Shenton are a part of a new record label called FakeLYF.
The EP opens with “Intro Lucifer Project”, some screaming and some mind numbing ramblings that build and build to a gong before moving on to something that sounds like an early “Underworld” demo. “Satellite Star Project” is a little more conventional with a reoccurring thought provoking lyrics stating “Your eyes are useless when your mind is blind”. The band state their influences are LCD Soundsystem, Childish Gambino, Oasis, Metallica, Linkin Park, Eminem, Kanye West, Blur, The XX, and Arctic Monkeys. This gives really no clues to where these tunes are coming from.
I have always believed there is a fine line between genius and madness and it is hard to understand what we really have here. The third track “Black Hole Stanley Kubrick and the Fake Moon Landings” at 12 minutes 28 seconds is a total assault on the brain with pounding irregular beats and also sorts of atmospheric sounds hammering the senses. The band’s chants are like those mad guys you get on the High Streets who repeat religious statements at you while you are trying to do you shopping.
“Irregular Magnellic Clouds” opens with a background drone coupled with irregular vocals that sound a cross between monks chanting and Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. The final track “Blood Moon” brings together more vocal styles together with repeating keyboard and bass lines textures. I am all for people trying to push the boundaries and sometimes from experimentation comes something so amazing it will appeal to millions. This I feel would only appeal to a niche market, however I do encourage “Aokigahara” to keep pursuing that sound that one day will be used within a movie soundtrack or turn them into the next Pink Floyd.
Definition: Aokigahara also known as the Suicide Forest or Sea of Trees, is a 35-square-kilometre forest that lies at Mount Fuji’s northwest base in Japan.
Intro Lucifer Project
Satellite Star One
Black Hole Stanley Kubrick and the Fake Moon Landings
Irregular Magnellic Clouds
Blood Moon Ft.Rio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APXCjWN4V00
Web Links
https://www.facebook.com/Aokigahara-760472270752860
https://soundcloud.com/user-404359155
Words by David Chinery (Chinners)
