Aural Pressure
Michael Page and I have a history. You see when I started reviewing for
AP he sent in a Fire in the Head release which I duly got to write up.
This recording ‘Ignite / Submit’ [read review here] got my
seal of approval (as has all the subsequent releases submitted for review)
but how I wished that he could break the shackles of his own noise repertoire
just the once. Much as I admired (still do in fact) his stubborn streak
to non-conform I felt there was more to him than just a seemingly one
trick pony - and with Sky Burial he’s at last managed to allay my
fears. He will of course totally disagree with what I’ve just written
- but like I said at the start - we do have a history between us. Although
he will probably say otherwise.
Got to mention this first. Sky Burial is very limited. Only 150 copies.
I’ve checked the Housepig website and stocks are low, low, low.
This record label which is based in Minneapolis has gone way up in my
estimation in a very short space of time considering they‘ve only
been around since 2004. ‘The "Six Doors" compilation was
a joy to listen to... and as for the Unicorn release… be prepared
to be amazed. For Sky Burial they have packed the release inside a hand
stitched cloth bag with accompanying paper insert which adds a bit of
flair to an already magical recording. Magical? From Michael Page?
Forget about FITH. At least for the moment. Sky Burial ventures into
hitherto uncharted areas and is so far removed from FITH that you wouldn’t
think they were the one and same person. Just as the grandmaster Merzbow
has spread his wings occasionally and diversified so to has Michael. For
here he incorporates an experimental post Industrial stance over the diverse
and highly satisfying six tracks. On the one instance he comes across
as a sludge rock feedback looped drenched maniac and within a whisper
he’s hitting the drone highway of intense musical excellence. Throw
in the odd bit of sound manipulation, add some scattered angelic voices,
veer away into the sort of ambience that would make Brian Lustmord blush,
then just for good measure bung in swathes of swirling organics for afters
and this is what Sky Burial sounds like. Seriously… this is a delirious
mixed bag of music that reminds me of the type of music that only us Brits
were renowned for or even capable of creating. It positively soars on
high on a wave of euphoria that’s increasingly infectious. Sure
he chances his arm sonically occasionally, all expert musicians do, but
he gets away with it because of his meticulous attention to detail and
eye for what constitutes great imaginative music.
This of course all sounds terrific. And without doubt it is. In fact
I sincerely hope that this won’t be the last time that Michael Page
attempts this form of diversity. Much as I enjoy FITH he has excelled
himself with Sky Burial. A fabulous and quite frankly sublime release
that unfortunately many of you will never have the chance to experience.
With only 150 copies available this was always going to be the case. Sometimes
life does suck to the nth degree. Although Housepig could easily redeem
this situation by re-releasing it in a standard CD case sometime in the
near future. What about it Mr Henson?
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