When I try to describe Gridfailure to people I normally use phrases such as “dystopian post-apocalyptic nightmare in black and white” or “Art Zoyd taken to the extreme, Can on steroids”, but I know that none of this really makes sense to people. David Brenner creates music which is at the very extreme of that definition, bringing us a harsh environment of post-industrial beats and non-traditional percussive elements, bass, guitars, analogue synth, keyboards, violin, xylophone, and more, matrixed through layers of field recordings and brutalizing vocal torment. I only hope he records everything while using headphones as otherwise his neighbours must think they have stumbled into a nightmare from which there is no escape.

He and trumpeter Mac Gollehon have previously collaborated on live recordings and performances, but this is the first time they have recorded a studio album, although due to current circumstances they recoded separately with David then mixing it together. For those who think they may have come across Mac’s name before, then according to Wikipedia he has played on more than two hundred gold and platinum records and remixes and is especially noted for his performances on David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance”, Billy Ocean’s “Get Out Of My Dreams” and countless others. Here he is channelling much more of Miles Davis in his experimental period than what many would think of classic trumpet, taking jazz avant garde to a whole new level as he throws ideas at David, a wailing counterpoint to the experimental electronic morass of sound underneath which puts both musicians into stark contrast with each other yet at the same time also being the perfect complement.

Whenever I review any of Gridfailure’s music I point out that for most people this will be simply unlistenable, yet for those who like have me have incredibly open minds and broad tastes then this is yet another superb release which needs close investigation.

Rating: 8/10

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/gridfailure
https://www.nefariousindustries.com/