The Sleep Sessions - Lead Into Gold

The Sleep Sessions is a Polish ambient / moderate noise project. As those of you into the scene will know, Poland is quite possibly the place to be from right now, as it heralds among the very best labels and artists that currently weave the looms of the tapestry of ambience.

This is actually my baptism of fire to this project, and the Harshnoise label that has released it. I've never found it easy or pleasant to review noise experiences. I love power electronics, and I would sheath my sword and lay down the proverbial duel in the name of electronics, yet despite being just an Iota removed from the sub-genre, noise is something I struggle with. In much the same way that two stars under the same sky can spin ominous and contrasting fates, how can two genres so similar in ethos be so horribly different?

"Lead Into Gold Part 1" is the opener, and instantly begins a mass of noise and unholy white noise. Never for a second let has the name of this project suggested anything, as this is likely to keep you awake for a long, long time. What does however interest me with this release as compared to Japanoise and the other styles I have encountered is the absolutely unpredictable changes in pace and volume. It will go from 2 minutes of aural dentistry, to 5 seconds of very quite drone ambient, back again, then stopping off at the takeaway next door and doing a u-turn. None of the other three tracks on here really offer a discernible enough difference for me to be able to compare. Noise, as I have always seen it is exactly that. Each track goes into the next, and in most cases, if you're not on the ball you would have no idea.

Ultimately however, there is something here that I quite appreciate. I have no idea what it is, and on further listens, I still haven't a clue.

For those of you more accustomed to the niche of having your cochlea decimated, this will almost certainly appeal. Jan 01 2008