MGR/Xela Split
Title: MGR/Xela - Split
Label: Barge Recordings
Cataloge No: BRG004
Type: EP
Reviewer: Rich
Date: 13, March, 2008
I'm really starting to love Barge Recordings, somehow every release so far (this is their fourth, count em) has been a stunner, from their first compilation to this, their first split release. This one is MGR (aka Isis guitarist Mike Gallagher) vs Xela (John Twells of Type Records fame) and it's a great slab of ominous melodic drone and experimental sound that again is a thrilling listen.
MGR kicks off proceedings with a 16 minute dark guitar piece which is something relatively heavy for the label. It doesn't take long for things to build to a dark and formidable assault of chainsaw style guitar noise and overdriven guitar swells. All the while a steady acoustic guitar base trundles along adding another layer to this rich and fascinatingly dense piece.
Xela's side is much more awkward and in some ways quite a contrast to the other. Starting off with a rash of scrambled static and tape noise, slowly this disintegrates into wonderful vocal harmonies and unexpected clattering percussion. Sounds fly from everywhere, but not in a suffocating sludgy way, there is something beautiful to it all and each time there is something new to this, the small and precise little things. This doesn't get boring though, over its 23 minutes new sounds come in and drop out, the distorted guitar squeals and electronic buzzing feel perfect not ever taking over the harmonies too much but not ever hiding in the background quietly. Though through all this, there is nothing aggressive here, possibly it is harrowing but then the more you listen the more rewarding it becomes. Both sides beautifully compliment each other on this release. Neither is better or worse than the other which is often the case with split releases. And apparently the vinyl is going to be a limited pressing in a lovely screen printed jacket. Once again, I'm impressed.
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