FLUISTERAARS - Gegrepen Door De Geest Der Zielsontluiking (12" LP on Black Vinyl)
Netherlands | Black
Detailed Description
After last year's widely acclaimed third full-length album "Bloem" found its way into the hearts and minds of many listeners, it did not take long for the duo of M. Koops and B. Mollema to return to the studio and record an immediate follow up. But do not be fooled by this quick succession of releases; "Gegrepen door de Geest der Zielsontluiking" is in many ways a polar opposite of what "Bloem" had to offer. Guided by a spirit of self-transcendence, Fluisteraars sought to indulge in a deep current of animalistic urge. From murky depths to the high towers of the soul, "Gegrepen..." is an exaltation of a new language, a breaking down of barriers and revaluation of underlying routine. Utilizing a minimalist and spontaneous recording style proved fruitful in this endeavor: only doing one take of every instrument, only recording the natural acoustics of the room instead of the close-up registration of sound so ingrained in modern production. The duo recorded exactly one song each studioday. No overdubs, no synths - they started every day by setting up a new sound palette for each song. This focus on creative process becomes abundantly clear when opener 'Het Overvleugelen der Meute' immediately bursts out towards the listener in a torrent of extrasensory vision. It does not take long before the trademark compositional competence the band is known for comes into clear focus: the tempest clouds part ways and exquisite melodic lines weave a tapestry of dreamlike imagery. Finally, the listener is lulled into a trancelike percussive meditation before 'Brand Woedt in mijn Graf' continues onwards within a realm of strange weightlessness, interjected by forceful moments of downpour. Closer 'Verscheuring in de Schemering' is Fluisteraars' longest song to date, clocking in at more than twenty minutes. A dizzying volley of arrows pierces the mind, but the duo's quiver never seems to empty. Perhaps the most urgent piece on "Gegrepen", it's regenerative quality and injections of free-form improvisation cleanse the soul. If Tangerine Dream decided to record a black metal album, this is what it would sound like.
