(05-04-2016, 12:42 PM)kadaver Wrote: Very unique-sounding, was on my list to check out, but this reminded me to do so. Their record last year was something I saw being praised a lot. I haven't really gotten into them yet myself, but I'll be sure to give it some more listens. Speaking of Zorn; which of his works should I check out? Secret Chiefs 3 are pretty good; I really like "Book of Horizons".
Man... Zorn is so prolific that it's hard to say, depends what you're into. My first exposure was Painkiller's "Guts of a Virgin", which is basically horrible grindcore with saxophones (Mick Harris from old Napalm Death/Scorn on drums, Bill Laswell on bass). Painkiller started bringi dub into the mix and did one album which remains a personal favourite, although I never listen to it. the album is called "Execution Ground" , it's pretty special if you're into deep jazz, dub, and heaviness.
Most of my favourite Zorn comes from his Masada compositions and are often played by others (Check out "Orobas" by Koby Israelite from the Book of Angels series for a very interesting mixture based on his Masada work, also SC3's "Xaphan" from the series and "Abraxas", which features the mentioned drummer). Electric Masada do it well and get pretty heavy at times, Bar Kokhba can be sublime.
For nice music then "Mount Analogue" and "The Gnostic Preludes" are some of my favourite recent-ish releases, and more recently he's had some good music recorded with a base trio of John Medeski, Matt Hollenberg (of the unique extreme metal masters Cleric), and Kenny Grohowski (Imperial Triumphant, Secret Chiefs 3 etc). This latter project is some of his most "Metal" but I only heard the first album, "Simulacrum" and apparently the series keeps improving (with other musicians such as Mr. Bungle's Tevor Dunn). I don't actually follow Zorn too closely but have a big collection and his diversity is worth exploring over time. Naked City could be essential and their later albums were much more mature. Too much Zorn, too little time. just don't be put off by what you don't like because there is a whole universe under his name.
Keep exploring Secret Chiefs 3 also. If you ever get a chance live then check it out, the best gigs I ever attended were the various versions of SC3, and with Kenny G they get super heavy! Hopefully Spruance will finish and release a Holy Vehm album one day and we'll get some Pythagorean death metal treats from a hidden master :
to make this seem on topic..
Secret Chiefs 3 death metal version of Toccata with Kenny G and Toby Driver:
and as they were mentioned, if ANYONE hasn't heard Cleric then find "Regressions". It isn't really death metal but it is a total masterpiece of unique and weird eso-tech face grinding. The vocals put me off for years but I bought the CD and forced a a listen and somce then it remains one of my most respected albums of all time (they are also recording an album of Masada compositions).
https://iamcleric.bandcamp.com/album/regressions