ALBUM REVIEW: Triptych Part Two – Harvestman
Earlier this year, HARVESTMAN, the solo project of NEUROSIS mainman Steve Von Till, released the first part of the Triptych series (a triptych, for those not familiar with the term, is a set of three associated artistic, literary, or musical works intended to be appreciated together). The three parts have and will be periodically released on three of 2024’s full moons; the first part Pink Moon was released on April 23rd, this second part (Buck Moon) is out on July 21st, and October 17th will see the release of Hunter Moon, the final part and one that will complete the three album cycle.
Triptych Part Two inevitably picks up where the first chapter left off and it sees the hypnotic nature of Triptych continue in the most mind blowing way, with vast soundscapes heavy on funk and mystic folk sounds cascading through the speakers as Von Till deals in yet more of the trippy and heavy sounds that he has always been a master of.
Triptych Part Two is a compelling listening experience, and experience has to be the only word to describe this album, in much the same way that Von Till‘s work with NEUROSIS and TRIBES OF NEUROT can only be described as experiences as well. There is such a sonic wonder to it, albeit in a harrowing fashion at times, and it sees the artist break down musical barriers as strongly today as he has done over nearly four decades now.
The folk element of the Triptych series is very important, as this is a collection of folk songs at the very heart of it, but it is filtered down even further and delivered through the psychedelic kaleidoscope of what Von Till does as HARVESTMAN and the results speak for themselves with the hypnotic nature of the music talking hold from the very start.
The likes of opening tracks The Hag Of Beara vs. The Poet, The Falconer and Damascus lay at the heart of what HARVESTMAN does as a musical project and by the time Von Till revisits that opening track with The Hag Of Beara vs. The Poet (Forest Dub), that dub influenced come to the fore with devastatingly meditative results, though perhaps the fact that OM/SLEEP bass man Al Cisneros is involved tells you all you need to know about the tranquil heaviness involved. The album concludes with Vapour Phase, Galvanized and Torn Open And The Unjust Incarceration which could be seen as a triptych itself as it ends this second act perfectly, taking your mind and soul on a perfect journey through sound.
Aside from being a superb and compelling album in its own right, the best thing about Triptych Part Two is, of course, the anticipation of the forthcoming third and concluding part of the triptych, whereupon you will be able to listen to all three parts in their intended glory as one continuous masterpiece. Until that point you have the opportunity to marvel at the power of the music of HARVESTMAN in all its hazily, hypnotic heaviness and vision with this second chapter.
Rating: 8/10
Triptych Part Two is set for release on July 21st via Neurot Recordings.
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