GRUIDES by STEPHEN O'MALLEY

Southern Lord boss, noise-head, sound sculptor and all-around electronic master Stephen O'Malley drops a truck-load of abstract atmospherics on the Demdike Stare's self-names imprint.Guides is the result of O'Malley being approached to try his hand at orchestral composition at the behest of noted pianist Frederic Blondy on behalf of the 35-piece improv orchestra ONCEIM. O'Malley proceeded to develop a piece based on long sustained notes that merge into a 35 minute piece, somewhat sadistically requiring string and woodwind players to hold notes for minutes at a time. Sinister swirls of noise blend seamlessly with sparse rattles of percussion and culminate into a spine-chilling backdrop of hollow drones. It's the master doing what he does best. Recommended.