Meant as an outlet to offer up the "more ethereal, ambient, and abstract soundscapes of Gridfailure's sound", When the Lights Go Out, Vol. 1 nonetheless delivers up another harrowing, nightmarish journey into the musical trauma that is the mind of David Brenner. Certainly less claustrophobic and caustic than some of its predecessors, this latest release still delivers the chills, the sparse yet frightening arrangements a perfect soundtrack to the fall/winter season...drop this album into your home theater system during your next Halloween party!
Containing seven tracks, the album flows like one long movement, Brenner providing a wide assortment of instruments, including synths, theremin, guitars, bass, percussion, and effects laden vocal passages, with additional vocals courtesy of Liz Ciavarella-Brenner and Faith Ciavarella, and percussion and guitar elements from Robert Levitt. Don't expect anything traditional sounding of course, as the amalgamation of sounds continue to be otherworldly and like nothing you've likely experienced before. "Spectrevision" for example, is a creepy sci-fi terrorfest of radio static & frequency waves, while "Im Came From In There" is just bleak, horrific atmosphere. You'll feel coldly alone on a desolate planet during the ominous "The Path", while "Banshee Accumulation" and "Howling Breed" both bring on a feeling of impending doom, the mounting waves of incoming dread just impossible to fight off.
I know I've said this time and time again in relation to the Gridfailure releases, but just how David Brenner is able to conjure up these spine tingling soundtracks seemingly at will without the results ever sounding repetitive or boring is beyond me. Put When the Lights Go Out, Vol. 1 on the next time you are alone at night, and be prepared to be scared out of your wits.
Track Listing
1. Banshee Accumulation 05:01
2. It Came From In There 04:08
3. Spectrevision 03:55
4. Attempt To Seal It Out 03:09
5. The Path 06:51
6. Your Arms Are Up There 03:29
7. Howling Breed 05:45
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