KILLBODY TUNING

Born from the soundtrack they composed for a short Swiss film, 'Dernière Chasse', Killbody Tuning built on and expanded the music for their latest album, '47°0'40.00"N / 6°42'20.00"E'. Apart from two tracks adorned with the beautifully alluring vocals of Valérie Leimgruber ('Marker of Change') and Céline Bart ('Muswell Hill'), the release is predominantly instrumental that combines two guitars, bass and drums to create various moods within the context of ambient, rock and metal elements. It's not a genre label that I particularly like as it's become rather redundant considering the multitude of stylistically disparate bands placed under its umbrella, but '47°0'40.00"N / 6°42'20.00"E' is what many would construe as post-rock. At least that'll give you a vague idea of what to expect. Genre labels aside, what Killbody Tuning have successfully achieved with these compositions is using a minimalist setup to create atmospherically layered textures and, with all tracks over or just under the six minute mark, they've allowed themselves enough breathing space for each of the central motifs to develop naturally and causally through changing affections from ambient to rock to heavy-ish intensities. These Swiss guys are in no rush to get from A to B to C, rather each piece's dynamic pertains to a steady progression rather than snappy segues. As such, this isn't an "any time" album you can just bung on and expect instant gratification; you'll need to invest some time to appreciate its aesthetic. But, given time, it's an aesthetic that draws you gradually into its alluring charms which will both engender and feed your mood/s...well, at least that's the affect it had on me. Not groundbreaking by any means, but '47°0'40.00"N / 6°42'20.00"E' is a solid effort nonetheless.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Get A Life Records

Album

47°0'40.00"N / 6°42'20.00"E

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

43:33

RELEASE DATE:

7th May 2012

TRACK LISTING

1) Ara Ubiorum
2) Seestrasse
3) Marker of Change
4) Porta Capena
5) Bamberg
6) Mountain Home [E/5/1]
7) Muswell Hill

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Switzerland

"...atmospherically layered textures and...each piece's dynamic pertains to a steady progression rather than snappy segues."