Blood Bright Star
The Silver Head [12-inch; King of the Monsters]

Blood Bright Star’s The Silver Head isn’t the sort of fare you’re used to hearing about in this column, but I hope you’ll keep reading because I feel it’s a worthy diversion for both Cerberus and the mighty King of the Monsters label. I also thought of that Lycia record on Handmade Birds and the way it stands out from its labelmates so completely it almost lends new life to the contents therein. But enough of the ‘set-up’; exactly what are we talkin’ about here? Shit; I wish I knew! It’s like the singer(s) from German Army started a minimalist post-shoegaze act with members of… Astral, or maybe Continental, that old post-rock band from California. If that doesn’t work for you, I’m not sure what I can offer because Blood Bright Star’s take on rock is as oblique and smoky as the gray/clear vinyl The Silver is pressed on. There’s a definite appeal to repetition and and way it can program your brain if the segment being duplicated is tasty enough, and more than anything I’m guessing fan’s of Dylan Carlson’s Earth will get a dose of silver and ask for MORE, bloody MOOOOORE. The excitement of this record is that no matter where you’re at on the spectrum — rock, metal, punk, etc. — you’ll likely find something you dig, particularly if you harbor a soft spot for long, meandering instrumentals (though vox do crop up often) that build up with the patience and knowing of a hibernating Buddha. Another score for KoTM and you, pal o’ mine.

Cerberus

Cerberus seeks to document the spate of home recorders and backyard labels pressing limited-run LPs, 7-inches, cassettes, and objet d’art with unique packaging and unknown sound. We love everything about the overlooked or unappreciated. If you feel you fit such a category, email us here.

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