This split is completely unexpected but still very appropriate as both A Storm of Light and Nadja seem to be rather complimentary in several different ways, but, quite honestly, the record packaging for this is sure to grab you. A double LP that includes the CD of Primitive North with some rather unique looking artwork, which goes against the grain of what is rather prevalent right now art wise; the LPs themselves are some of the most beautiful looking slabs of vinyl that people will lay their eyes on in recent memory. But enough about record nerd ogling, the real question is how is the music; and damn, if this is not one hell of a record, then I drank someone's kool aid.
A Storm of Light is the latest project featuring Josh Graham of Neurosis, Battle of Mice, and Red Sparowes (though he has since left), as well as members of Unsane, Swans, and Tombs. It is the closest that Graham has come to sounding like his better known outfit, of which he does visuals and is not really a party to the music. The three songs here on Primitive North are excellent examples of the body of work of A Storm of Light thus far (their debut LP, And We Wept the Black Ocean Within, is the only previous effort). Their contributions to Primitive North seem more memorable than what their LP has to offer. "Brother" immediately conjures recollections of bits and pieces of all of Graham's other outfits with its strong dynamics and pacing. But one can sit and pick out the whispers of the other projects in different parts of the song, which is not a bad thing by any means because there is definitely the songs own voice too. The quiet parts of "Sister," the other original song from A Storm of Light, are quite striking and contain some of my favorite moments on their part of the split, while the rest of the song really hits with me as there are many different layers of sound during the course of the song. Calling their remix of the Nadja song "I Make From Your Eyes The Sun" such is a misnomer; there are elements of the song still audibly there, but adding vocals and different sounds truly make this more of a re-imagining of the song.
Nadja is quickly becoming a challenger to the most releases in a single year crown, if one counts all the re-releases that the duo recently began putting out on a plethora of different labels. But for many, these are their first bits of exposure to the band. From a production standpoint, this is some of the best sounding Nadja material thus far. The expansive "I Make From Your Eyes The Sun" feels more like a short movie soundtrack as it hits on so many different sounds and dynamic moods during the course of its almost twenty-three minute length. At times the word "triumphant" seems an apt descriptor for parts of the song while at others "brooding" and "menacing" tend to do it more justice. And the whole time, Nadja gives new meaning to layering of sounds for the arrangement of a musical piece. Their treatment of the A Storm of Light song, "Brother" is just as stunning a remix as what A Storm of Light does to their song. Somehow Nadja keeps the song heavy but adds new dynamics at the same time by stripping out the vocals and creating more atmosphere.
Primitive North is quite an excellent release. Its massive amount of sound and vision is great. From the stellar packaging to the music to the two bands participating, this is an exemplary release. Both Nadja and A Storm of Light surely make for quite the collaborators, and it shows on the record in every way imaginable. Dare I say that this is a crucial record for the styles of music that these two groups forge?
