CoC : Tribes of Neurot & Walking Time Bombs

Tribes of Neurot & Walking Time Bombs - _Static Migration_
(Release / Relapse, 1998)
by: Adrian Bromley (7.5 out of 10)

A far as side-projects go (or band as some see this), Tribes of Neurot -- featuring members of Neurosis and countless other collaborators -- has to be one of the most versatile and interesting projects going. Burrowed deep beneath harrowing riffs of expressionism and downright lethal doses of ambient excellence, the earlier sounds of Tribes of Neurot echoed brilliance with their _Silver Blood Transmission_. It contained amazing song ideas, a near reflection of the ideals and dreamscapes created by those taking part in this project. It served as an extension of where Neurosis had taken their music, though a more philosophical and spiritual approach. The latest incarnation of Tribes sees fellow sound/noise purveyor Scott Avery (ex-Pain Teens / Walking Time Bombs) to bring into the fold his ideas and have the Tribes and himself hammer them into sonic masterpieces. The collaboration seems to have worked for the most part as _Static Migration_ easily dents the symphonic ambient chants of the band with heat seeking intensity and darkened fits of rage and uncertainty. Avery's ideas blend well into the use of the band's musical agenda, shedding light on some entertaining numbers like "Recurring Birth" and "Origin Unkown". While the music here does hold itself accountable for some amazing ideas, a good portion of the material on _Static Migration_ floats within the standard genre of ambient material and can't seem to shake it. Not to say that Avery's work here is unhelpful, rather uplifting to some degree, but it ain't no groundbreaking material. His ideas salvage what could have been a bland ambient album (or even similar Tribes LP) and in return lays the prospect of future collaborations like this to pop up more.

(article published 13/4/1998)