E N – Autarchia Misantropica E Autocannibalismi [2015; self-released]

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Over the course of this short album’s eight tracks, E N ramble their way through a loose-bordered assortment of post-punk, electronica, grimy drones, and touches of sludge.  Bluesy, industrial, detached, and experimental flavors wash over each other as freely as the beats fade in and out of arrhythmic pacing, with odd touches of humor (e.g., the over-amped calliope-like loop of “Schizopensieri”) further skewing things.  Interesting and inventive, and quick enough to allow for multiple visits to its weird arrangements without too much time investment.

Stone Machine Electric – The Amazing Terror [2015; self-released]

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Excerpted from a series of recording sessions for a full album, the four tracks of this EP bob and weave through fuzzy feedback and gnashy riffs, with the guitar providing texture and the disarmingly active drumming controlling pace and punchiness.  Though the songs have an enjoyable energy, and the musicians bring some interesting expressiveness out of their instruments, the EP hits its end with so little build-up that it winds up hobbling the preceding material to an extent.