Ultralyd – “Ultralyd ” – [FMR Records]

The original lineup, circa 2003, of Norway’s noisiest jazz-rock destruction unit Ultralyd. This CD documents the improvised sounds and violence of one of their earliest sessions. The legendary Frode Gjerstad (sax/clarinet) moved on to other projects after this release, but while he was aboard this band was a perfect vehicle for his distinctive brand of squealing mayhem. Kjetil Brandsdal and Anders Hana, on bass and guitar respectively, whip up thick, satisfying clouds of electric roar. Morten Olsen, an absolutely monstrous drummer, takes whatever’s still standing and hammers it down for good. Incredible stuff from start to finish; in particular I recommend that you give that hellacious 20-minute onslaught of an opening track a chance to work its magic on you.