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Hoor-Paar-Kraat, "An Anagram Hypnotic" and "Tzool-Mah"
These two releases from the enigmatic Anthony Mangicapra's ever-changing Hoor-Paar-Kraat project could have been from two completely different artists. The first, an LP reissue of two older pieces, is a heavy and superb release and the second, a CD-R of new material, is equally wonderful but is cut from a completely different cloth. Both releases are from that same spectrum of musical surrealism as Nurse With Wound and Irr. App. (Ext.) but never apes these obvious influences. Unfortunately, like the rest of the Hoor-Paar-Kraat catalogue, these two albums are quite limited so are unlikely to be easy to find for long.
Containing two long tracks, the LP collects two tracks from two different very out of print releases. The sleeve is very attractive, a simple silkscreened design of a man and an evil-looking duck that suits the absurd audio content. On one side is "The Nagaraja Movements," which was previously released as a 3" CD-R in 2006. It starts with a low droning sound and what sounds like someone's throat. This gives way to an unexpectedly punishing riff that is straight out of the Earth2 school of detuned guitar lines.
The other side contains "Sundownings," which takes an altogether more sinister turn. It was originally the last track on A Tale for Babes and Sucklings but unfortunately the other two pieces on that release have not resurfaced as of yet. "Sundownings" is reminiscent of early Nurse With Wound with its atmospheric and unearthly rumblings and weird percussive sounds. The piece slowly changes texture, taking on the characteristic of a supernatural storm beating the outside of the shelter. It is a powerful and unsettling piece that could very nearly be yet another crappy dark ambient track but Mangicapra and company nimbly sidestep that pitfall.
The second of these two releases is Tzool-Mah, an album containing four new pieces. Like An Anagram Hypnotic (and indeed all the other Hoor-Paar-Kraat releases I have), the sleeve is an elegant handmade design involving fingerprints, sealing wax and some patterned paper. I often complain that too many people are more concerned with packaging than with content but, when the balance between both is done right, it makes the impact of the music even stronger. This is one of those instances.
Inside the lovely sleeve is a CD-R containing four engaging compositions. The first, "To Dine is Divine Intervention," consists of the hypnotic of bowed cymbals with harsh metallic sounds punctuating the drawn out resonances. The bowing becomes more frantic towards the end of the piece, creating a black mood that makes me feel anxious. My anxiety is not helped by the creepy breathing on the subsequent piece, "With Twofold Force in Twin Directions." The percussion brings to mind a giant in hobnail boots pacing up and down inside an oil tanker. The music makes me feel quite small.
The atmosphere is somewhat dashed by "The Food of the Underworld (A Pomegranate Seed)" which lacks the appeal of the other pieces on these two releases. I would not go so far as to say it is a dud but it is definitely lacklustre in comparison to Hoor-Paar-Kraat's usual high standards. Luckily normal transmission is resumed with the very long final track which is a fantastic and funny loop of several recordings of conversations and readings of Paddington Bear. It is a disorientating but deeply entertaining wander through a room full of disembodied voices.
I get the feeling that Mangicapra is pushing Hoor-Paar-Kraat in a number of directions, trying not to be derivative or repetitive. The breadth of material on these two releases alone is huge (and having been exposed to a few other releases, this variety is the norm) but it always sounds like Hoor-Paar-Kraat, which I imagine is hard to do when so many styles and approaches are utilized. Yet it is not such a strong character as to overpower the music as these bulletins from the outer borders of reality supersede such trivialities as character and personality.
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