minimalism

[Life Sucks]

Minimalism can work well, as it does in the cases of Burzum, Darkthrone, earlier Graveland, etc. But it can also make for a boring, frustrating listen. I really realized this again listening to the latest Wigrid CD. If the same slow paced, mediocre, minimalistic riff is repeated endlessly, I find myself itching for it to change, or for some variation in the sound to occur, and I look forward to the end of the song. I found myself feeling the same way when listening to some of Nargaroth's work, as well as other mediocre, minimalistic, monotonous black metal. Perhaps minimalism only works if the riffs are actually of high quality, and the right atmosphere is created. I can understand why some people do not like minimalism in music, as not every band can pull it off with conviction.

 

[infoterror]

This is why minimalism is difficult. It's not stripping down music to a few notes; it's using a few notes and having it mean something. Brian Eno is a master of this, and I recommend his CD with Harold Budd, although it's NOT METAL OMG OH NO WTF.

 

[Thraxz]

BATHORY is also quite good at it. (They deserve the caps)

 

[Barking Pumpkin]

I bought one of John Zorn's film soundtracks (Invitation To A Suicide), and it's pretty awesome minimalistic stuff. From what I'm gathering at least half the tracks are different versions of this one main theme, which is really cool. And then all of them slowly build on it. Nice stuff. I'm also about to get 'The Gift,' which is kind of slow like that...but in a different way. Also about to get some of Ulver's film-work.

Minimalism isn't always fun to listen to, but it can be quite wonderful.

 

[MasterOLightning]

My favorite use of minimalism is Darkthrone - Panzerfaust. Every single riff on the album is quality, and that's what makes it work. I don't know about Wigrid, but I'd guess that there are sparse vocals, or that they aren't anything special. Darkthrone's vocals do help to keep things going, especially in Panzerfaust where they're so loud in the mix.

 

[Donnie Darko]

Darkthrone are the masters of minimalism

 

[Nico]

Wigrid's first CD is pretty good though, after a few listens. Nothing spectacular, but there are some great riffs.

 

[Erik]

I found Wigrid to be a big heap of mediocrity for the most part, which is why I traded the CD away ;(

 

[the alumnus]

...and i thought this thread would be about philip glass and gorecki

 

[Life Sucks]

I don't know about Wigrid, but I'd guess that there are sparse vocals, or that they aren't anything special.

The new Wigrid CD is a fourth-rate ripoff of Burzum - Filosofem.

 

[kmik]

For crappy use of minimalism, see Sort Vokter - Fjellstev

 

[V.V.V.V.V.]

dude he was under the influence so you cant blame him duh

I love minimalistic music and totally disliked Folkloric Necro Metal.

 

[Jean-Pierre]

Minimalism can work well, as it does in the cases of Burzum, Darkthrone, earlier Graveland, etc.

And Amebix. And DBC.

 

[anonymousnick2001]

Perhaps minimalism only works if the riffs are actually of high quality, and the right atmosphere is created.

.

That said, Philip Glass rules.

 

[no country for old wainds]

Steve Reich's better.

That said, one of my pieces was compared by my teacher to Philip Glass once, heh. I'd never heard of him at the time.

 

[anonymousnick2001]

Reich's good.