Convulsif – Extinct CD (Hummus Records)

Convulsif are roaming around the experimental music scene for a while, and their music is hard to define by some simplistic definitions. Each performance comes as a bit of a surprise, considering their strivings to improvise on each live set. The group tends to shock and amaze at the same time with their profoundly aggressive approach to particular genres like jazz. However, this specific quartet also improvises with grindcore to the point when it becomes experimental music. Convulsif are pushing their music to the extremes by bounding knowledge, experience, and exceptional musicianship until they achieve polyphonous catharsis. One thing is for sure, always expect the unexpected.

Convulsif have a dozen of impressive experimental recordings on their plate, but none of them comes even near their latest material called Extinct. The group is pushing it to the very limits by shapeshifting genres like noise rock, post-rock, free jazz, jazz, black metal, grindcore, harsh noise, noise, ambient, and drone. Besides some standard instruments like distorted bass guitar and enormously dynamic drums, Convulsif are incorporating some non-standard instruments for this type of music, like clarinet and violin. Their high-pitched sounds are adding some more aggression over the profoundly energetic rhythm section, which keeps everything in line throughout the entire recording. The group also includes some electronic maneuvers to spice things up a little bit more, but all these instrumentations are going pretty well all together.

Extinct delivers such an eerie ambiance at particular moments because, as much as this material may appear aggressive at some points, it provides a relaxing atmosphere and seems soothing to the listening apparatus. No matter how much this album may sound improvised, these experienced musicians thought out about every segment of their newest recording. These numbers are acting as the building blocks of some colossus sonic structure that will eventually burst with even more extremely aggressive dissonances. The tremendous balance between calmer ambiances and ridiculously technical blastbeats are surrendering loads of entertaining moments, but also serving as the building passages for more experimental noise / free jazz sequences that are unquestionably defining the sound of Convulsif.

Extinct represents an aggressive approach to completely improvised experimental music. This recording will suit admirers of noise rock, free jazz, jazz, grindcore, but also to those who’re more into avant-garde obscurities like experimental noise, harsh noise, ambient, and drone. The record comes with beautiful abstract cover artwork that entirely fits the music. Extinct is available for purchase on a limited edition vinyl and compact disc. Head over to Hummus Records web store and treat yourself with some experimental orchestrations, but also make sure to check out the rest of their roster.