The Horrors of Darmstadt - Free Jazz Purgatory

 Sound Ignition, No Extinguisher

When I was a jazz DJ at U of T radio (CIUT) years ago, it was an exciting time; searching and acquiring prized recordings, attending gigs and meeting some musicians (like Andrew Cyrille!), and creating high octane radio mixes for my show (I called it 'Big Scary Music'). And yea, I recognized the almost Gothic aspect of some free jazz, like The Horrors of Darmstadt by Hession/Wilkinson/Fell. To say these guys pack a devilish wallop is an understatement; this is music forged out of a blast furnace, from the minds of diabolical alchemists seeking to rearrange matter itself.

Simon H. Fell on bass forms the backbone, lacing together drummer Paul Hession's thunderous turnarounds and saxophonist Alan Wilkinson's bellowing, almost lamentational tone. The trio have the din of live recording as well for good effect; recorded live in 1993, the dark, grimy sound adds a cavernous dimension. It's long and brutish, but these guys have a keen telepathy and collectively, over 40 years of improvising experience. Needlessly to say, hellishly good listening, if a bit taxing for the novice listener. For a 'lighter touch', try some free metallic jazz on Iron Path (Last Exit) and the Bugs-Bunny-on-uppers speedjazz of Spy vs Spy: The Music of Ornette Coleman from John Zorn.