Steve Moore - The Henge

Relapse Records / Static Caravan Records
2007
Vinyl 12" / CD




'The Henge' is the first solo album released by Steve Moore, one half of Zombi and current member of drone titans Earth. Following the success of Zombi on Relapse records, 'The Henge' has received a full release on Relapse, compared with the limited release Steve's first demo in 2003 received, and it shows how popular this brand of 'space prog' has become. Well maybe not more popular, but it is clear that Zombi's breakthrough has created plenty of interest in this fairly unique sound.
First impressions of The Henge are slightly disappointing, many of the same keyboard sounds, urgent basslines and changes in pace and key are used in a way which directly imitates Zombi. It's perhaps slightly harsh to criticise the re-use of such a distinctive palette, but it certainly won't win over critics of Zombi. However this is all far from a bad thing, the sense of otherworldy epic scale is still as compelling as ever, and this is taken much further on The Henge than Zombi have done so far.
If The Henge has used the same palette as Zombi, the results paint a completely different picture. The five tracks merge seamlessly into each other (I am hindered slightly here by reviewing the vinyl pressing), and everything is stretched out in order to wring every last drop of enjoyment out of each keyboard pattern. For me this is where the comparisons with Zombi end, Zombi being very much about the manic, horror soundtrack inspired ascension, whereas The Henge is essentially five tracks of menace and suspense with absolutely no desire to resolve or come to a peak. This is best displayed in the title track which is a nervous, tapping keyboard line, some very blunt percussion and waves of noise crashing around. Rather than being messy or overblown, it just manages to carry off the atmosphere perfectly. It's worth noting that the outro (well final track, Cepheid) is equally fantastic, drone reminiscent of Sunn O))) with melody slowing emerging from some quite brutal crashes.
For all the big words and detailed comparisons with Zombi that I have thrown at this record, it's still very accessible. There are a few lines that are really very catchy and it's not a record that makes you wait to long or suffer awkward passages, quite a relief in a album that could have so easily been a chore. I am very fond of The Henge, it's an epic (if slightly short) album which creates an unparalleled sense of awe and is very worth listening to if you like anything prog, cinematic, sci-fi or indeed simply epic (not in the typical Isis or Tool style). Ultimately a Zombi side project, but I probably like it more than any other Zombi record.


9 / 1 0


Notes

• Steve Moore recently carried out his keyboard and trombone for Earth's current UK tour
• Steve's first demo has been made available again recently, as an iTunes only download, with a vinyl repress due from Hlava records sometime soon.