Surprising as it was to me that The Human Quena Orchestra is a project featuring members of Creation is Crucifixion that flew completely under my radar, I am jumping at the chance to check out what some of those guys are up to with their music. Anyone that ever gave Creation is Crucifixion a listen may recognize the electronic nature of the noise tracks in some of what The Human Quena Orchestra produce. The Politics of the Irredeemable is the second release from this outfit and definitely is just as surprising in its execution as the group's existence was to me. Although I would never expect an exact repeat of previous work, the thought that some of that visceral sound might sneak in here did surely cross my mind as The Politics of yhe Irredeemable pops in my headphones.
The dramatic pounding, the feedback, the screaming that seemingly is being picked up from far away all are a shock to the system as "Progress" opens The Politics of the Irredeemable in a way that definitely exudes a tense mood. The Human Quena Orchestra harnesses this feedback to create a significant touch of dark and foreboding ambiance. The duo uses a significant amount of barely audible sound and or low end hum in the songs here (check out "Mores Part I") to fill out the aural space so that virtually every square inch is filled with some sound. "Mores Part II" shows that the group knows how to put dynamic control to use with its several notches more intense attack than its companion track ("Mores Part I") offering enough variation to prevent monotony.
There is a definite parallel that could be drawn between The Human Quena Orchestra and Khanate as, on the surface, that is who The Human Quena Orchestra immediately brings to mind. But while there is a resemblance, it is not the only possible frame of reference. The Politics of the Irredeemable functions well as a document of blackened noise and harsh atmospherics; the album is a record that I might consider as a soundtrack for some post-apocalyptic world or movie or some such. Creation is Crucifixion this is not, but The Human Quena Orchestra still proves their worth with an entirely different sonic attack. The Politics of the Irredeemable is definitely worth checking out and hearing the aural oppression.
