Gruntsplatter The Organ Harvest: Unreleased & Rare 1994-1999
Audio Savant - AS002 2004
By Russell Garwood
Nosier than a drum-kit fed through a wood-chipper, The Organ Harvest is a retrospective of rare and unreleased material from dark ambient/noise project Gruntsplatter. Id like to make it clear at the outset that due to a problem when burning the promo, I only have the first six tracks. Usually this would bug me, but with this retrospective, it does not, because what we have here is lots and lots of electronic noise.
One staple of the songs on this release is a rumbling ominous low-end drone, giving the pieces a dirge-like, menacing atmosphere. Usually there is some higher pitched noise above this is, at times providing and gentle ebb and flow, and lulling ambience, at others only serving to enhance the eerie drones. Occasionally the noise takes on a more rhythmic character, yet the over-riding feel for all the tracks (well, those present on this promo) is like that of a brooding storm cloud (pretentious analogy chosen as the track Im listening to sounds like thunder!). The tracks never quite seem to reach a crescendo as most storms do, however, remaining low key yet portentous. Hence this is all about atmosphere, and the minimalistic, stripped-down sounds is an acquired taste. If you like your noise, however, and you like it unadulterated and pitch-black, The Organ Harvest is a must.
7/10
Official Audio Savant website
Audio Savant - AS002 2004
By Russell Garwood
Nosier than a drum-kit fed through a wood-chipper, The Organ Harvest is a retrospective of rare and unreleased material from dark ambient/noise project Gruntsplatter. Id like to make it clear at the outset that due to a problem when burning the promo, I only have the first six tracks. Usually this would bug me, but with this retrospective, it does not, because what we have here is lots and lots of electronic noise.
One staple of the songs on this release is a rumbling ominous low-end drone, giving the pieces a dirge-like, menacing atmosphere. Usually there is some higher pitched noise above this is, at times providing and gentle ebb and flow, and lulling ambience, at others only serving to enhance the eerie drones. Occasionally the noise takes on a more rhythmic character, yet the over-riding feel for all the tracks (well, those present on this promo) is like that of a brooding storm cloud (pretentious analogy chosen as the track Im listening to sounds like thunder!). The tracks never quite seem to reach a crescendo as most storms do, however, remaining low key yet portentous. Hence this is all about atmosphere, and the minimalistic, stripped-down sounds is an acquired taste. If you like your noise, however, and you like it unadulterated and pitch-black, The Organ Harvest is a must.
7/10
Official Audio Savant website
