Clew of Theseus is the one-man drone operation of Cathartic Process label boss Ben Brucato. This dude’s been active in the noise netherworld for quite some time now, and his high-quality drift shows it. This tape consists of a pair of live performances and a sound check recorded at the Vesica Piscis Cathedral in Flagstaff, Arizona. The pieces were played in seven-channel sound and mixed to stereo from live and multi-track sources, for your listening pleasure.
The first, utterly epic, 30-minute piece was created using field recordings and multiple acoustic and electric instruments. Chord organ and electric guitar are laid down to form a cornerstone, upon which field recordings, bells, flutes and the like are added. The result is a shimmering, slowly-evolving mammoth drone monster. Wave after wave of unfurling tone drapery cover all available surfaces. This track is oh so dreamy!
On the flip, a shorter looped electric guitar piece provides a warm and safe cavern for one to hibernate in (if it were wintertime). Distortion rules in this cozy nook. Later on, a buzzing feedback tone wanders into the mix, adding flecks of noise to the proceedings. The even shorter “bonus track” recorded during sound check is an altogether quieter affair. What sounds like subdued bits of feedback slowly pile up into a carpet of dream-drone goodness. What a fine way to close out a gorgeous release!
Cathartic Process
9/10
