Tangle Edge- Kathamkaram
(Synesthetic Recordings SYRE 025)
From Aural Innovations May 2009 update
Tangle Edge returns with their 2nd vinyl release in 3 years. This record features
3 tracks in 34 minutes with a fantastic gatefold sleeve and excellent sound
and as always was recorded at the bands studio outside of Narvik. If you are
not familiar with this old Norwegian band, they play instrumental progressive,
rock, jazz, psychedelic music to challenge the listener. Sit back and relax
when you put the needle down for the 17 minute Dance of the Cantharides on side
A. it starts slowly as Ronald, Hasse and Tom slowly come together in what will
be come quite jazzy. You can hear some hand drums at the beginning of the track.
The jam is very much lead by Ronald’s guitar playing as Hasse and Tom
interweave (slowly). Ronald really decided to take off ¾ of the way through
with some fantastic guitar work. Side B starts off with Xerxes Apposition and
some backwards effects start the track and much more intense bass line dominates
as Ronald solos over the top. You can hear a synthesizer/electronics at a low
level in the background. Fantastic solo by Ronald and he really starts to use
some effects the end to modulate his sound. The track dies out with an interesting
synthesizer ending. Glass Dryad, a track a little over 8 minutes ends the record.
This track is more like the side A track and quite jazzy and focused on Ronald’s
lead guitar noodlings (good ones). The band plays in a special focused way that
is hard to explain. The end also features some special sounds as the guitar
lines fade out over the bass and drum playing. Interesting album. The band has
also released a 7” of some classic material from the 80’s in a limited
edition of only 200 copies on this same record label. I will review it when
I get my copies that I ordered.
Check out the band web site at: http://www.tangledge.com
Check out the band record label site at: http://www.synestheticrecordings.com
Reviewed by Scott Heller