VOLCANIC TONGUE
Beautiful out-of-nowhere solo murk from a Glaswegian head who combines the kind of 1000-mile analog hypnosis of Hive Mind and Dead Machines with butterflies of E-Bow guitar and the kind of eternally peaking landscapes of Mirror and Organum. New UK label too.

the one true dead angel
More whole-grain goodness from this new drone-oriented label. Cel presents six tracks of electronic frippery enshrouded in brooding mechanical drones, and while the tracks are capable of standing alone, listening to the cd-r without stopping is sure to leave you enveloped in a mist of drone and muted feedback. The sound calls to mind giant robots gathering in a place long-forgotten by men, to sit around in a mechanical chill-out room drinking motor oil and tripping. This is eerie, mysterious stuff, well worth the time and attention of hardcore drone fans. At times the sound reminds me a lot of the more subdued moments from Cold Electric Fire, which is definitely a good thing.

bloodties webzine
Overall Rating: B+ Composition: B+ Sounds: B+ Production Quality: B Concept: B- Packaging: C- Fugitive Angle is a rare gem. These are 5-6 minute melancholy experimental droning jams that could be either derived from a guitar or a computer, it’s hard to tell. The sounds tend to be rather plain but they have a very distinct way in which they are arranged and are produced with clarity and a definite intent that isn’t seen often. The music of Cel most closely reminds me of a cleaner Cold Electric Fire. This music almost borders on post rock except it is too abstract to be pigeonholed into that genre (thankfully). The album is arranged with competence where each song has its own unique feeling but holds enough relevance to belong in a larger context. Most of the tracks are just the right length for what they are and are constant throughout which is good now, but could easily become draining. True, it does seem to become a bit formulaic at times but this is music that is obviously created out of pure emotion, not something that is extremely thought out beforehand and assembled. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was all recorded live and then edited down into separate pieces. At 31 minutes the album passes by quickly especially due to its hypnotic nature. Track 2 is the strongest material on here with droning lo-fi feedback that meanders into the experimental realm a bit only to lead into reverberating drones towards the end. This is the perfect example of “lo-fi” charm. The drones are continued into track 3 where some elements are mixed well and really help the drone surround you. It’s nice to see some attention paid to mixing techniques because this is something that is very often neglected in most lo-fi endeavors. If you are a fan of newer Horse Head, Flying Saucer Attack, Cold Electric Fire, or even Fennesz or the like, check this out. It will make for great night-driving music.

Heathen Harvest
Lanarkshire. An area in Scotland you know. Been there once. Once was enough. Don’t believe the Scottish Tourist Board. The whole of Lanarkshire is a grade ‘A’ cess pit. Full of very unfriendly brain dead locals with grating accents. Makes the Scouse twats look like saints by comparison. Fit for only passing quickly through. Scenery was lovely…if trees and hills give you the horn. There was also a nice chippy I do remember. Lovely black pudding supper. Which was for me the only highlight of that fucking area. Chips and cooked pigs blood / fat covered in batter aside I’ve found another reason to grab Lanarkshire back to my heaving bosom. Being slightly fat I have what is medically termed ‘man tits’… so bosom is an appropriate word in this respect. Cell comes from down that way. I’m inclined after hearing his release to forgive that. And they say people from Aberdeen are rude and crude. How wrong they are. These 6 tracks features 31+ minutes of dark throbbing ambient drone enriched music…with a slight experimental edge that comes shining through. This reviewing lark isn’t easy you know. With so many different genres around it’s becoming more and more harder trying to place certain pieces of music. ‘Fugitive Angle’ could easily be called lo-fi. Or post Industrial. Or whateverthefuckyouwanttocallit. Note the humour of the reviewer. And they say people from Aberdeen are unfunny cunts. How right they are. Getting back on track with this release…what the artist has achieved, admirably I hasten to add, is to create rather refreshing soundscapes that are highly entertaining…in a dark closeted sort of way. The music swells and frequently roars through the use of guitar and electronic instrumentation. He might have made it with other means. I only write what I know. Or can guess at. Covers all bases that way. The 6 tracks all flow into each other creating, in effect, one monumental piece that takes the listener out to the further edges of space. Or reality. It’s a trip down memory lane. Only the memories are tinged with sadness and regret. Or a mugging and stabbing if in Lanarkshire. It’s mechanical. It’s organic. It’s all of these things put together. Or none at all. ‘Fugitive Angle’ lets you take it wherever you want it to go. The drones are impressive and evocative. The noise aspects that rear up now and then only adding to the depth of the pieces. The focus is on the individuals own interpretation to what he hears. This then is the success that Cell has achieved. The production and clarity of the generated sounds are exquisitely rendered. Another success from the dead sea liner record label and one that you really shouldn’t miss out on. Even if this was at the price you would expect to pay for a new release at your local record emporium it would be worth every penny. Trust me when I say it is that good