REVIEWS
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Metabolismus
German avant-popsters for decades, Metabolismum started making a mark just as the ‘90s were getting exhausted and people were looking elsewhere for kicks, making several wonderful and varied records for the few, not to mention being labelmates of both the Brainbombs and Monoshock on Blackjack, one of the last forward-thinking indies of that time period. It’s always nice to see them return, and doubly so here as part of the Social Registry’s increasingly awesome singles club. “Snowy Meadows” fell off the Sgt. Pepper’s delivery truck and flourished out in the woods by the side of the road, all pert studio drumming and Mellotron rolling through ornate, gentle pop. “Somnia” repeats these charms with the ticking of a clock and Samara Lubelski’s instructive violing cutting a path through it all. Imagine a Stereolab not influenced at all by Krautrock or French pop, but rather turn of the ‘60s British studio excess, and you’re coming close. Gorgeous stuff, limited to 750 numbered copies.
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Metabolismis' skewed view of instrumental pop gets a lush infusion from the voice of Samara Lubelski and in turn the collaboration brings out the best from both parties. "Snowy Meadows" brings to mind all the delicate imagery that the title suggests, with Samara's voice floating in wisps of chilled breath over the band's charming pop sounds. Meanwhile the b-side takes the band's instrumental qualities, which while usually interesting can sometimes be haphazard, and crafts them into bittersweet cinematic focus. Again and again, this series by The Social Registry continues to bring the best and the brightest up for their shot of double sided grandeur.
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This seventh release in The Social Registry's 7" singles club comes from German collective Metabolismus, who are ably assisted by Samara Lubelski in their pursuit of '60s psych folk loveliness. The strings and woodwind of 'Snowy Meadows' builds up to a spectacularly more-is-more finale on the A-side, while B-side 'Somnia' is a more understated, pastoral affair, though the incredibly rich arrangement is still very much in place. Excellent.
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Metabolismus Terra Incognita LP/CD (BlackJack 1999)
Hard to believe that
this band has emerged recently. Metabolismus carries on
unconventional music created by the weirdest and most amazing
bands from the electronic- kraut era. Each track is an
outstanding musical journey throws the unknown and the infinite
echoes of the soul. "Disconnected Areas of Outer
Nothingness" starts with an "atmospheric"
accumulation of sound collages, the composition continues on a
dreamy like expression conducted by linear organ textures,
incorporating a Tibetan accent in the melody. The detached,
tranquil soundscape is mixed with claustrophobic, tormented
electronic intrusions. "Spiel 2" is a driven minimal
essay in electronic with machines and automatic effects. "Die
Grünen Löcher Von Aztal" is a bizarre, secret
piece with mysterious "concrete" sounds and sampling.
"Les Automates Spirituels" goes into "droney"
and immersive electronic loops. One single note played by a
sinister electric organ known variations in luminous and sunny
melodies. "Mutter Erde/Terra Incognita " features many
acoustic, organic and concrete noises worked together to create a
nice orchestration...the tracks ends with a beautiful
"harpsichord" sounding melody. A musical land of
"abstract" beauty. One of the most original works from
the 90s. A future classic. ۞ |
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Metabolismus were one of my first avant-orientated bands. At the time I had a collection of 10-15 albums that were to act as an introduction to the genre. For most part most they had little to do with the rock side of music [Metabolismus was an expection to this]. Initially my interest wanned very quickly, the album focused highly upon textures and timbres of the compositions, which at the time didn't coax me into repetitive listens. Doing the best thing possible I put it side for a period of time (instead of disposing), not forcing enjoyment, to come back once my tastes had time to mature. By the time I discovered ('got it' so to speak) this album, I had trekked across the chasms of krautrock, from the hard psych induced trips, to the more extended space essays, down to the out-right crazy. Terra Incognita finds it's placed comfortably between the deep psych trips and microtonal essays. Though produced in the modern era, it finds new ground, stray away from regressive tendencies. Swathed in electronics, the album salves as the perfect soundtrack to the depths of night. My favourite track 'Les Automates Spirituels' brings the bands potential to full realisations, having a very post-kraut aroma, painting a haunting serenity within our minds. Terra Incognita is a beautiful engagement of elevated conscious states, drifting seamlessly through the unknown territories of your subconscious. Needless to say this is a refreshing album from the later years of progressive music, bringing a unique flavour to a genre. I suggest anyone interested in the metaphysical side of both Krautrock and progressive electronic should hear this album. Posted Wednesday, August 02, 2006
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It's always been amazing to me that when those crazy Germans aren't busy trying to take over the world, they can create some of the most inventive atmospheric music ever. From Stockhausen to Popol Vuh to Oval, it's clear that the Krauts have a way with trippy soundscapes, and this record is no exception. From the opening bleeps and sqawks, you assume this is going to be another "ho-hum" trip through ye olde post-rock laboratory, but Metabolismus seems incapable of staying for too long in one place. The harsh electronic atonalities of the first few pieces segue into a beautiful a Terry Riley-esque drone without you even noticing. The final track, "mutter erde/terra incognita" starts off sounding like some sort of Indonesian wedding processional,and concludes with a medieval madrigal. (Faust would be proud.) Anyhoo, I wish I knew more about these folks, but perhaps as with so much of the avant-garde, the beauty lies in the mystery. -wt
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The Germans of Metabolismus define a 90’s revival of Krautrock, taking high the early 70s psychedelic influences (especially from Amon Duul, Can & Faust). Wild, weird and found of electronic experimentations this musical formation also investigates in RIO / avant prog territories. Metabolismus clearly goes beyond the current specifications of a rock band, constantly in "flux", in search of different projections to create a world of dream representation, freedom and surreal musical spheres. After living in a relative discretion (publishing something like fourty albums) the band emerges from the dark with their "Terra Incognita" (published in 1999 by Blackjack). This album presents different sources of musical aspiration, from minimal electronic, ambient, 60s psych to jazz. In this one we can detect the influence of late 70’s German pre-ambient explorers as Harmonia and Cluster. Their Second release "Spriebwartsdrall" combines with quality different electronic motifs with an avalanche of psychedelic effects and free noises. An original musical phenomenon. Hard to find an equivalent in the new progressive rock scene. Philippe Blache, FRANCE
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From AMG
Reviews Martin Walters, All Music Guide
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