For fans of Japanese noise / extreme electronic / avant garde and experimental music, the chances are these who will require little introduction. For the uninitiated, there's a lot of ground to make up, but here seems like as good a place as any.
Both multi-instrumentalist Kazuyuki Kishomo, better known as KK Null and percussionist and tape manipulator z'ev have immense discographies to their credit, to the extent that I doubt even the most hardcore fan of either is likely to ever achieve the claim of being a completist. Still, what these two don't know about parameter-pushing experimentalism isn't worth knowing, and 'Extra Space, Extra Time' represents their first true collaboration.
In comparison to some of KK Null's other excursions (I have to admit to having only heard a few, with 'Fertile' being something of a favourite), 'Extra Space, Extra Time' is relatively gentle. That isn't to say that this is by any means easy listening.
Sinister ambience is the order of the day on 'ESET_01', rather than splintering electronic white noise that would give noisemeister numero uno Merzbow a run for his money. This is rent with violent blasts of stun and phaser that are potent enough to immobilise even the most dangerous assailant, and it's all dominated by powerful, industrial-strength percussion reminiscent of Test Dept. at their best.
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'ESET_02' is a dizzying exercise in grinding, heavy techno, again driven by a relentless, battering percussion. Things slowly shift deeper into disorientating electronica, rapidfire barrages of skittering bleeps and squelches with occasional washes of distortion. Time signatures warp and become more organic, pulses replacing rhythmic beats and pinging in every direction, before barrages of clattering treated drums return on 'ESET_05'.
Without being overtly hostile in tone, there isn't a single point over the duration of 'Extra Space, Extra Time' that allows the listener to become too comfortable, too settled. It may not be the strongest work of either of these artists, but the sum is by no means less than the parts, making for an album that's well worth investigating.
KK Null on MySpace
z’ev on MySpace
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