Evan Watton of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada records as Elder Caius and has previously released on Bandcamp a single track, Kailash, When It Rises as part of The RPM Challenge. The page is at https://eldercaius.bandcamp.com/album/kailash-when-it-rises and I have embedded his video of this below.

On 14th September, we get a new release, Alien Space Bats/From Below and this is very much in the same vein as the video you have just watched, a quirky, somewhat spacey sound of someone who obviously loves experimenting with different musical effects, left field psych which is, though, melodic, and rather enjoyable.

So, Alien Space Bats (a great title) begins with some urgent screaming noises signifying I think some form of invasion, and the noises are distinctly strange set up against pretty good drumming with a strong jazz sensibility. I love the bass throughout this, moody and mean pulsing with the effects making you visualise the bats sending out their sonar “sight” and communicating what lies ahead, possibly the world ending. As we progress, the noise intensifies to a kind of electronic symphony and the wall of sound captures the listener. Basically, think what Pink Floyd of 1967 might sound like if they had access to modern instruments and recording techniques, and you won’t be too far off. The opening suite closes with a distinct change in mood with single notes emanating from a pretty key.

From Below has a wonderfully funky feel to the drums as it opens before the keys introduce themselves, very much in the classic electronic rock sound of, say, Depeche Mode, but what makes you really sit up and take notice is the menacing bass riff produced. After a pause with only vinyl scratching sounds, the drum, bass, and keys combine to provide for an immensely enjoyable funk explosion, interspersed nicely with more “traditional” music as interlude.

This is pretty much “out there”, in much the same way as the Data Noise Floor album I reviewed last week, but not as extreme as that work. I am glad it was sent to me, though, because there are some extremely interesting ideas in this, and I, for one, look forward to hearing an extended album of new material.