An absolutely captivating hour of intensely layered and shifting periodically quietened drones and loops, blurting, blaring and banging. The original 1987 performance stunningly captured here suspensefully evoked a succession of immense spaces which are dread and apocalyptic but continuously smeared with human interjections. (And the glowering moodiness which holds sway is lifted at the end by a long series of fanfares, then a racket of thronged pipes.)
Proceedings are dominated by a self-made 80-pipe organ and bagpipes, with sirens, a gong and various percussion, and a massive suspended metal sheet stoking the drama.
'The overall effect is of a collaboration in heaven between Oliver Messiaen and Albert Ayler, channelled by Lamonte Young' (The Wire).
We also have copies of the limited edition of one hundred: the standard CD version plus a numbered, full-scale reproduction (29 x 85 cm) of the original score, drawn by the composer, all sealed in a paper bag.