Zu – “Cortado Todo” – [Ipecac Recordings]

Thurston Hunger   5/7/2015   A Library, CD

Which is more filthy, Massimo’s bass or Luca’s sax?
On this release, KFJC’s two fave gladiators are
joined by Gabe Serbian from The Locust on skins.
That remains the recipe for Rome’s unique power
metal trio. Sometimes Luca’s sax sounds like its
loaded with hornets. Massimo uses his bass to squelch
notes, crush them under the entire boot of Italy.
Electronics fly out at odd angles from both (check
out the title track). In general the atmospherics
are what elevate this, the unrelenting pound, the
slugging sludge, of course we gravitate towards
that heaviness. Those half note steps that bend
you to descend rule. But while you are spiraling
around the black hole that each instrumental
creates, you see these flickering effects, like
an aurora borealis boring into your pineal gland.
At times you think you hear angels, getting sliced
up (Cortar Todo indeed) “Serpens Cauda” has effect
flux, a break in the molten rock jazz. “Conflict
Acceleration” also launches with chopped cherubim.
Load this up and love it. My last thought: Luca’s
sax likely cannot pass a smog test.
-Thurston Hunger