As an eight-year veteran of the scene, Mortuus Auris & The Black
Hand (MAbH – that’s how it’s shortened), aka Peter Taylor of London, has
crafted a fairly vast discography of uncompromising artistic vision. It’s not a
stretch to say that he continues this trajectory with his latest release, Strain/Galaxy, on the inimitable Hylé
Tapes. “Uncompromising” is definitely the adjective you want to use when
describing MAbH work, because whether the music is quiet or loud, the
compositions are assured, resonant, and contain an uncharacteristic depth an
emotion that’s missing all too often from ambient/drone/noise artists. Here
MAbH works the gentler side of this aesthetic, featuring piano, analogue synth,
and tape manipulation. He has also eschewed straight improvisation for a change
of pace, and although there is some live and on-the-spot revision and
world-building, it’s obvious that Taylor’s favoring melody here more so than he
has on previous recordings. You know what? I’m totally digging it.
Did I say “uncompromising” was a good adjective for this? Let’s also
throw “expansive” into the mix, because Strain/Galaxy
is nothing if not wide open, a vastness onto which you can project yourself
and every thought that comes into your mind. “Strain” begins your travels with
pensive accompaniment, a dawning, a realization, and an anticipation of
endeavor. Waveforms activate themselves, but only when you’re ready, about
seven and a half minutes in – Taylor knows when you’re ready, and does it
right. The track decays into stark transmission, but ends with gorgeous piano.
Twenty-five minutes of magnificence. I have to take a deep breath, because that
was only one side.
The first 10 minutes of “Galaxy” is simple ghostly piano, piped in from
another dimension. It disappears into nothingness, but is soon replaced by
euphonic drone. By the track’s end, you’re awash in cosmic synthesizers,
transcending physical existence. It’s something I strive to do every day, so I
guess all I have to do is strap on some headphones and pop in some MAbH to
evolve into Arthur Clarke’s space child. The wordless voices that end the tape
are the angelic tones of extraterrestrial beings guiding listeners to greater
planes of being. Don’t look now, everybody, I’m spirit!
You thought Mortuus Auris & The Black Hand was a black metal band
for a second, didn’t you? I don’t blame you – I did too once upon a time, when
I was a young whippersnapper. Hopefully by the end of this review you’re sold that
Peter Taylor’s the musician for you, the man to soundtrack your future. Who
needs all that noise? It’s all distraction. Strain/Galaxy
is the cure for all that.
--Ryan Masteller
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