asia

In Boris' "design language", capital letters stand for rock music and lower case letters for experimental. On "Boris" they call themselves "boris". That sounds promising.

However, it starts slowly. The collaboration with Sunn O))) has obviously left its mark. "Terracotta Warrior" begins with a swelling electronic hum, joined by effects. Somehow menacing. For minutes on end, a lot happens on the one hand and not much on the other, until the humming infernal machine gradually takes off on a ride through a ghost train. Strange instrumental pleading pulls the listener out of the confusion or makes it complete. A cutting electric guitar lingers over the futuristic desert and ghost town that slowly spreads out before the mind's eye. Strange winds howl from both sides.

Suddenly: strangely distorted rushing water. The ghost train has reached white water. The waves slosh restlessly around the edges and you realise that a waterfall is not far away. The water gets faster, faster and faster and - silence, interspersed with wailing sounds. The drums play a gentle rhythm as if to save you, but you can't hold on, you are crushed by the eerie, trembling world piling up around you. You lose your bearings and finally your consciousness. Again: silence.

The following "Ant Hill" snaps you out of your trance. The 80s are here, they want their electronics back? No, no - this is, in fact, an ant hill set to music. It chirps in the highest tones, the electronics rattle, and somewhere there is that menacing, futuristic undertone again. You are suddenly surrounded by giant ant robots, although they are at least able to march in step. What is this humming? You instinctively look around to see if there's another big fly lurking, but it's ants, just ants. However, they don't hold you captive, you're more of a guest: in "Talkative Lord vs Silent Master" you even get the opportunity to listen to a strangely metallic, electronic dialogue between their master on a stormy hill near the ghost town. The album ends abruptly after a monologue by the "Silent Master". The listener remains in this world, even though its history is long over.

In no way can "asia" be labelled as easy listening. Claustrophobia and depression are side effects that I don't think can be completely ruled out. Nevertheless, it is very probably an excellent album at the right moment. But now I need a schnapps.