thunderous, head-scratching new album from math-rock titans
All aboard Hella airlines. You're sitting comfortably, ready for the in-flight entertainment to start, so you press play. The mood changes, and the air hostess beckons you to the front - she's cute you think, but there's something not quite right with... Then you're out the door.
The first thought that passes through your head is that you're sure you didn't read anything about this in the safety booklet in the back of your seat - lots of people inflating life-vests and assuming the crash position, but definitely nothing about being thrown out of the door by a damned trolley dolly. Well sometimes it's better not to tell the whole truth, you reason. Whatever.
You free-fall into the music, experiencing a heady mixture of panic and confusion as you try to work out what's going on, but also a hedonistic excitement - because, deep down, you know that you're not really going to hit the ground. Right? An impossible chord comes out of nowhere - missing you by mere inches as it rushes past, and suddenly you're not so sure. Panic swiftly turns to fear, as the chaotic pulses of guitar and frantic drumming swirl around you, enveloping you in a world of unpredictable dynamics. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea you tell yourself. "Too late for that now" the captain mockingly announces over the intercom. Was that laughter? Maybe.
Your arms flail around wildly, as you desperately search for a progression that contains so much as a semblance of melody - it must be here somewhere, surely? It is music after all. It’s music Jim, but not as we know it... That raises a laugh, well more of a chuckle really, but the pleasantries are short-lived as you realise that time is running out. You increase your efforts, but to no avail - this music is simply better than you are. You find some comfort with the acceptance of that fact, and then, seemingly at the last minute, you find it and clutch on tight to the lifeline of understanding. The musical turbulence threatens to unsettle your tenuous grasp, but then, as the final distorted notes of 'Welcome to the Jungle Baby, You're Gonna Live!' bleed out of your speakers, your feet touch terra firma. You're not really sure what to feel; relief probably, maybe even awe, but one thing is for sure - you can't wait to do it again.