If John Carpenter ever decides to get off his duff and direct a decent horror film again, he should consider enlisting the talents of Erik Baron and his merry band of DésAccordes for the soundtrack. Cordeyades is extremely dark stuff and for anyone who appreciates the dense instrumental freakouts of bands like Univers Zero, Magma and Present, DésAccordes should nicely fit the bill. Consisting of nineteen players, including the leadership of bassist/composer Erik Baron, DésAccordes is an orchestra of guitars, bass and percussion. With the addition of a harpist, the lineup is unusual to say the least.
After the amplified blips of "Jacksmorse", the album proper starts with the appropriately titled "Bass Trompes" and less than one minute into the track and I'm already having flashbacks to Univers Zero's uncompromising Heresie. Chock full of demonic bass and string drones, this piece threatens to break into something not quite of this earth until it segues into "Black Juju", the only song on the CD that normal people could possibly relate to. All hyper kinetic rhythms and counterpoint melodies, "Black Juju" could almost pass for an 80s era King Crimson song.
But the mood becomes ever more oppressive with the 90 second industrial flavored stomp of "Love Zombies" and especially with the epic "Abacouna". "Abacouna" in particular seems tailor made for a horror film soundtrack with its martial tympani, ominous ambient keyboards and menacingly plucked harp (!). Similarly, "Pluie de Cordes" is just plain frightening in its intensity. A delayed two minute fade in of guitar sustain is slashed and stabbed to death by subterranean bass tones guaranteed to make the listener jump out of the easy chair. Gradually, the song is transformed into a hellishly disturbing sound collage. "Marines" on the other hand is almost tranquil, with a spacey and near Floydian atmosphere. The CD concludes with "Cut and Copy" which is a reprise of the "Black Juju" theme.
Cordeyades is one of the more intriguing releases I've heard all year. The music is clearly not for all tastes and the endlessly grim ambience may steer some listeners away. But for those who enjoy a challenge, be prepared for 45 minutes of compelling and uneasy listening.
Track Listing
- Jacksmorse (1:07)
- Bass Trompes (2:34)
- Black Juju (3:35)
- Love Zombies (1:37)
- Abacouna (6:50)
- Rockaille (5:57)
- Kwad (1:53)
- Pluie de Cordes (6:16)
- Koda (2:51)
- Funambules (:54)
- Marines (7:09)
- Cut & Copy (3:57)
Total Time 46:25
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