Diagonal - 4 '2021

Tracks list

Tracklist:

01. Amon
02. Chroma
03. Spinning Array
04. Stellate
05. Totem


 Read MoreThe result is an assured work that functions wonderfully as a
logical progression from Arc yet at the same time has enough shift in sonics to
illuminate a different facet of the band. Opening cut ‘Amon’ (a
working title that ended up sticking) makes perfect sense as a reference to the
German experimental rock band Amon Düül II. Its solid guitar riff
foundation careens over an ever-evolving time signature, the three-part
structure decreasing in intensity until it dissolves in a cloud of bubbling
ambient textures.

Chroma explores the band’s interest in jazz. One of the two instrumental
tracks on the LP, it showcases the effervescently emotive sax work of Nicholas
Whittaker with an intricately crafted solo that unfurls itself over a fluid 5/4
rhythm. Spinning Array is in many ways the track that acts as most of a
connecting bridge to the previous album. The stridently crisp bass and drum
syncopation of the opening bars giving way to long unhurried guitar lines and
vocals. Vocalist/saxophonist Whittaker incorporates some intriguingly different
sounds into proceedings with the use of Chinese wind instrument, the Hulusi, as
well as the more traditional recorder.

The keyboard presence on this album is less pronounced owing to an
instrumental/personnel swap. “There was a slight shake up of who played
what on this record. Alex moved over to bass and Dan was on guitar. It
definitely created a different sound and vibe: there is more guitar as a result
and Crispins approach to bass is certainly different to Dan’s” Luke
tells us. Stellate is a shining example of this shake-up and demonstrates the
band at their heaviest in what emerged as a controlled jam. The woodwinds carry
the Middle Eastern-tinged melody over a bed of thick guitars, as the time
doubles and moves towards a maelstrom of pulsating rhythms and fearsomely
lysergic guitar soloing courtesy of David Wileman.

The album is expertly rounded off by the appropriately titled Totem. Beginning
with a repeating 5 note guitar figure, it slowly brings to the boil a bed of
miscellaneous percussion and wordless vocals. The culmination is a finale of
searing guitar and crashing drums, recalling the most ecstatic work of Japanese
cosmic rockers Acid Mothers Temple.

Diagonal’s fourth album clocks in at a punchy 37 minutes and will
certainly be leaving listeners wanting more. But, who knows? Maybe those
proverbial buses will be adhering to a more reliable timetable in the future. 

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