Thursday, December 13, 2012

32. Raime - Quarter Turns Over a Living Line (Blackest Ever Black)

 Raime and Blackest Ever Black: two names that have been inextricably linked since they made their debut together in 2010. Across the Raime EP and a further two for Kiran Sande's label, the duo of Joe Andrews and Tom Halstead have carved out a singular sound, drawing on the desiccated sonics of '70s and '80s goth and industrial, jungle's pulpy dystopianism, and claustrophobic bass weight tapped from either dubstep or doom metal—depending on who you ask. It's a finely poised hybrid that, in its apocalyptic sincerity, its brooding stylishness and effortless originality, seems the perfect articulation of the BEB ethos.

It's fitting, then, that the duo's debut LP is also the first original album-length release for Blackest Ever Black—a landmark moment for both parties. Part of Raime's power undoubtedly lies in their reticence, and it's significant that the seven tracks on Quarter Turns Over a Living Line serve to more than double their total output. In tackling the album format, there was always a slight risk that the duo would overreach, losing some of their potency in the process. Fortunately they've done nothing of the sort, crafting a 40-minute statement of intent that remains focussed without becoming monochrome, and injects fresh blood into the Raime formula without sacrificing its considerable early promise. 


via Resident Advisor (read rest there) 
---

No comments: