K-Branding
Alliance

It's time to lend an ear to this trio of sonic terrorists from Brussels, a place probably not immediately associated with noise-loving bands.

The K-Branding, however, are among the most credible heirs of the industrial-noise scene, a daring mix of early Einstürzende Neubauten and Cabaret Voltaire, but inhabited by free jazz ghosts. This is not the usual band that juxtaposes noise, random guitar strumming, and chaotic drumming only to label themselves as experimental. The K-Branding are a group that makes reckless, brave, and decidedly avant-garde music, although the root of their influences is always recognizable.

“Alliance” is their second album released by Humpty Dumpty Records (their debut “Facial” dates back to 2009 and already showed great promise) and from the very start it gives us a sense of what's in store: Japaner Sein is a disturbing and malevolent sabbath, with a sax leading us through a glacial and dark landscape, Blurred Vision relies on percussions, an element that characterizes the whole album as if it were a return to the tribal yet with a massive presence of distortions, electronic effects, and synths; Astral Feelings is the trio's personal interpretation of the kraut rock genre with the suite Assente Cultura serving as its manifesto: almost 10 minutes suspended between Wolf Eyes, dark ambient, and psychotic drumming. Gregory Duby, Sebastien Schmit, and Vincet Stefanutti have truly crafted a great album, I hope they don't go unnoticed as so often happens.