California’s White Manna are releasing their 7th full-length LP on Cardinal Fuzz in conjunction with Centripetal Force in the USA. This release sees them covering a lot of sonic territories from mostly experimental electronics to full out blow out jams. The title track kicks us off with some modular electronics leading into a driving drum beat layered with electronic and vocal drones except for when the beat changes up a bit it almost has a bit of that traditional Johnny Cash chugging rhythm section going on. Track 2 “Mythic Salon” is far more experimental with heavy use of the modular electronics creating a bubbling type effect similar to some things heard in the movie “I Dream Of Wires” for which Solvent recorded the soundtrack. “Pilgrims Progress” takes us back to the spacey jams and fierce rhythms and washed out vocal effects leading into the brief electronic pieces “Pollen Ball” and “Painted Cakes”. “Zosser”, brings a more aggressive tone and traditional song structure.with some fuzz guitar and the dark vocals as on previous releases. Sonic Apocolypse again is more of an electronic piece based off of some sweeps and arpeggiations and leads into the long-player on this LP “Surfer Moron”. Clocking in at 10 minutes with its pulsating bassline, ride cymbals, and even some trumpet pushing through the dark electronic back noise creating a somewhat ominous atmosphere which we of course love here. The lp close out with again, another short electronic piece “Sailing Stones”.
There are several moods and tones on this LP and it may be a challenging listen for folks that are not into the more electronic experimental sounds. It definitely requires a certain listening state. This is a very different direction than the Bleeding Eyes LP or Temporary Lines LP though we do get a few tracks in the more traditional vein of their past releases. I enjoyed these tunes and the somewhat more experimental direction. Always good to see a band pushing boundaries and expanding their sound.
Released by Cardinal Fuzz and Centripetal Force
Expected Release Date August 28th 2020
Edition of 500 200 on colored vinyl
