Having a reputation for creating some of the most noisy, chaotic, disturbing, and erratic music The Dead C are at it again with their 19th full length studio album in 20 years. Although the New Zealand trio is often categorized with notable noise-rock groups such as Lightning Bolt and Wolf Eyes, The Dead C have a much more cryptic and haunting atmosphere. With Future Artists we see Bruce Russell and co. head for a much more avant-garde and spontaneous sound leaving behind some of their patented drone influences. That being said Future Artists contains the trio’s signature doom/drone sound while incorporating spiky electronic effects and chaotic vocal stylings into their sound.
Like most albums released by The Dead C, Future Artists takes the listener through one abrasive ride. The album opener which pays tribute to the avant-garde jazz group AMM is a mayhem of dissonant keyboard buzzing, grating guitar chords and harsh feedback. Littered with countless creepy laptop effects and droning feedback ” The AMM of Punkrock is one of the most unusual and instinctive Dead C songs to date. ”Eternity” is another creepy track clocking in at seventeen minutes long. Utilizing an odd, tribal-esque drum pattern, strange microphone echoes and classic Bruce Russell guitar feedback “Eternity” an easy standout track.
If there was one big issue with Future Artists it’s that the music is extremely inaccessible. The only track that clocks in under eight minutes is the brief “Magicians” which is four minutes of catchy yet freaky detuned guitar riffs; to make things more clear “Magicians” sounds like a mash-up between Fall Out Boy and the devil. It’s amazing how The Dead C are able to create some of the most irregular, spooky sounds with a guitar and an amp. Their harsh approach to drone and ambient music makes Future Sounds a truly unique experience.
Future Artists is for listeners who enjoy their music highly experimental and deranged. I can’t imagine listening to this album on a regular basis, simply because it is so unconventional and strange. That being said The Dead C are able to generate a chaotic mess of clashing guitars and drums without using large amounts of electronic equipment to produce their sound. Not only is Future Artists a blast to listen to it always delivers when I just need something different to listen to. I’m sure The Dead C have created superior albums but Future Artists does not disappoint those who are seeking some new and original music.
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