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I expected Sleepless, Maor Applebaum's earlier collaboration with David Bendayan, to be World
Music/Goth in the Ofra Haza meets Dead Can Dance mode.
Instead, it was a smooth, polished work which evoked mid-period Pink Floyd. I was ready for
more of the same when I received "Vultures," his latest project: imagine my surprise when my
eardrums were bombarded with Ministry-Meets-Merzbow-Meets-Metal! If nothing else, Maor wins
points for diversity.
The opening track, "Internal Plea", starts things off with a scream... literally. Vocalist
Rani Zager sounds like he's been gargling drain cleaner. His harsh shrieks pierce through the
grinding guitars and throbbing drum machines like a stilleto. Zager's It's not easy listening
... but if you're in a shitty mood, it certainly is cathartic. (And let's face it; if you
live in the Suicide Bombing Capital of the World, you've got anxiety and gloom to spare).
Gal Cohen's guitar work plays no small role in this band's success. Once upon a time every
band had a guitar player: for many bands today, electric guitars have gone the way of mullet
haircuts. The distorted metallic chords which underpin "Vulture's Splendor" shows just what
they're missing. An amplified string instrument produces harmonics and undertones which
cannot be duplicated on even the best synthesizers. (This, incidentally, is the reason why
electronic pianos sound so silly next to acoustic baby grands).
I'd like to see a live drummer included on the next Vultures CD. As it is with guitars, so it
is with drums; no machine can recreate the sound of a Real Live Human beating the hell out of
his skins. A live drummer would take these proceedings over the top. Still, this is a strong
and worthy effort. If you like hard industrial music, it doesn't come much harder -- or better
-- than this.