Opium Warlords: We Meditate Under The Pussy In The Sky

The second album from the one-man drone/noise project of Finland's Sami Hynnien, Opium Warlord, is now upon us. More Earth than Sunn O))), Hynnien has an approach all his own. There is no sound that he doesn't see some inherent value in. Ostensibly a sequence of arbitrary noises, the discordant ambience of 'Sxi-Meru' is gently unsettling, the metallic chimes hanging in the haunting reverb, the chilling echoes and ephemeral feedback. 'Slippy' combines all kinds of disparate and disjointed sounds from organ and drums to maniacally screamed vocals and overly distorted riffs as well as optimistic vocals and expectant arpeggios. 'Lament For The Builders Of Khara Khoto' is slow and torturous, the elongated passages stretched out far beyond the bounds of the imagination. The first half of 'This Wind Is A Gift From A Distant Friend' is more of the long, slow, and deliberating notes wrapped around doleful drums and sombre cymbals before the seconf half picks up and plots an arc in opposition to the dismal first half.And the insistent repetition of the melody of 'Satan Knew My Secret Heart' is penetrating, mournful, and finishes the album off with a very present, distinct feeling of loss. A curious experience, this is the Ummagumma of drone. Like Ummagumma, to some it will remain the best thing Hynnien ever releases, whereas to others it will be no more than a work in progress released too soon to be considered final or complete. Whatever the case, even though it can be an arduous task to get through, We Meditate Under The Pussy In The Sky is an intriguing listen.

Track Listing:

1. Sxi-Meru
2. Slippy
3. Lament For The Builders Of Khara Khoto
4. This Wind Is A Gift From A Distant Friend
5. Satan Knew My Secret Heart

Added: November 23rd 2012
Reviewer: Jason Guest
Score:
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Language: english

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