source	creator	size
view from the pit	duncan garvie	08

 

 

 

did you stop listening to pearl jam after "ten"? do you think that all the material that metallica have put out since "metallica" is shit? do you only like the first two deftones albums? if the  answer to these questions is yes, then stop reading now; this EP probably isn't for you.

 

never have i heard a band change there musical style so dramatically in one step (or for that matter, in any amount of steps), not to mention the fact that this band have not even put out a debut album yet.

 

their last EP {refining the theory} was a disc of ballsy, cutting edge, hardcore metal that would make even the most skeptical listener sit up and take notice. in stark contrast, cellular memory is a mellow affair, with heavy jazz influences.

 

it starts off with what can only be described as the sound of buddhist meditation, with different haunting voices floating in and out over the top it. moving slowly into the next track, the long-term miocene fan will become even more confused: katie sierra is a strange instrumental combination of drums, trumpets, and synthesisers.

 

in fact, it is not even until track three, state of flux, that we hear anything that we could even remotely connect with their last outing.  a strange guitar riff now comes in, with a rapid, but very quiet drum beat, all topped off with a compelling vocal melody.

 

the only way to properly experience this is as atmospheric music. it creates something quite indescribably palpable in the air that will twist your senses and play with your mind, leaving you confused and disorientated.

 

this is NOT music for the faint of heart. if you find that change causes stress, run away. if you have any concept of where miocene were before, forget it. this could possibly be a devistating blow to you! where brutal guitar riffs once were, there is now french horns, cellos, clarinets and synthesisers.

 

as long as you keep an open mind, there is a lot to take away from cellular memory. it does leave us with one question, though: miocene¹s album is due out shortly, and with such a range,  what are we to expect? only time will tell, but irrespective of the outcome, it will doubtless be a very interesting listen!