The Tunnel

VINYL FORMAT. Pressing of 500! We have been fans of Silentist since hearing the first EP, Nightingales, and Zum released a solo piano recording from Silentist pianist/drummer Mark Evan Burden shortly thereafter (the split with Growing). While Silentist maintains a strong modern classical influence, the band is usually more likely to drag the complexities of classical or experimental composition into the harsh void of grind, punk, metal and whatever else in between with relentless intensity. The mixing of high and low concept, beauty and repulsion, intellect and brutality serves as the drive for the music, arranged for piano, complex drumming, bass, and oscillators by Burden and howling vocals courtesy of August Alston (Pig Heart Transplant, Lords of Light, Society of Friends AKA Quakers). After three cd EP's, Silentist has just released it's first full length on their own Celestial Gang imprint, a self-titled LP that made a few top ten lists of 2008 and has been described as "Nancarrow or Reich with blast beats" (Ed Rodriguez of Deerhoof, Flying Luttenbachers). The Tunnel 7" comes from the same recording sessions, led by 'The Tunnel', a disturbing and propulsive two minute exercise in brutal mechanical repetition, and followed by the drum/vocal blast of 'Supernatural Barriers' and the more psychedelic fury of 'Paralytic'. Silentist has toured the US with Valet (Kranky) and the West Coast with Thrones.