Live at Bar Maldoror

Durtro 001CD, 1986 Running time: 52:07

Live at Bar Maldoror
  1. Alone into the Alone - 19:35
  2. Only Shadows of Hooks - 23:11
  3. Christ’s First Howling - 04:43
  4. Fields of Rape - 04:36

Initially, I didn’t hear much in this album that appealed to me; I found it to be a bit too long and too ambient and not very conducive to active listening. Repeat listenings, however, have opened me up to it a lot more. Probably not a good album to start with, though there’s some great material in here. Unfortunately, no lyrics in the liner.

ALONE INTO THE ALONE is somewhat of a rehash/remix of ACH GOLGOTHA (from Nature Unveiled). The lyrics are rather buried in the mix, and the music is a little more subtle; the Crowley loop is noticeably absent, however (though I think there might be a strain of it in there, drastically slowed down). Also note the brief reappearance of the “christus christus” and “jesus wept” themes from Dogs Blood Rising.  I like this version a little better than the original; for me, it’s rather more subtle and eerie.

My favorite piece on the album is probably the second track, ONLY SHADOWS OF HOOKS. It’s kind of a combination of THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST IN CHORAZAIM (once again from Nature Unveiled), and CHRISTUS CHRISTUS (from Dogs Blood Rising), as well as including the re-reappearance of the “jesus wept” theme. Very eerie piece, especially the classical-sounding loop combined with the background choir.

CHRIST’S FIRST HOWLING is vaguely minimalistic in parts, combining some strange rushing bell sounds with Tibet’s howling and the ever-present choir. I seem to sense Steven Stapleton’s influence rather strongly in this track, as it could almost be a Nurse With Wound piece.

And finally, FIELDS OF RAPE meshes without a break from the previous track. High-pitched screechings and electronic-sounding movements combine with Tibet’s monotone (and rather buried) lyrics. Once again, it sounds to me like Stapleton did most of the music, which is actually very subtle and interesting; headphones are recommended for the full effect.

No epilogue.