ninehertz

I’ve slowly become a little obsessed with this record. It had to be slow as there’s no immediate rush provided, instead four tracks of significant length with a minimalist approach to psychedelia that patiently reveal themselves, but only if you as listener hold up your end with your own dedicated patience. It is worth the time required as a slow dawning awakening to its beauty is the only possible route.

Blackbox Massacre are a German trio featuring members of Spaceship Landing, Pink Edition being their second album as far as I can tell – there being a significant gap since their debut from 2008. They have a stoner rock background and base template, but this goes way beyond any genre constraints or assumptions that may usually be considered.

Raffi Nerie best captures the magic of the record. It has a gradual introduction, with a slight cosmic bent but generally docile, the bass the only real pulse. As you become lulled through its repetition you may not notice it is growing in increments measured in centimetres and minutes, like staring at a flower awaiting it to bloom. It takes three quarters of its length to arrive at its full state, at which point, once clicked into its methods, you become totally invested. It even goes heavier for the final couple of minutes, a doom rendition of the same cycles that passed so lightly before. It is an exhibition in patience and control.

Each track holds its own story, each with its own identity. Texas flies serenely between the Hendrix vibes of its beginnings through prog and funk, whilst Pferd has organ, harmonica and a spaghetti western incidental feel in a loose arrangement, before, seemingly out of nowhere and to catch you by surprise, they all click into rhythmic step for a rocking end that makes sense of the “cinematic stoner rock” description I’d spotted written about them.

And then there’s Funk, different again, as it dives straight into a decidedly 70s organ-abetted prog blues rock boogie jam. It took me a while to warm to this, as I pined for the drawn-out approach of the first two tracks, but then it dawns that this is great in its own right, with its prog heart having chance to shine.

The band released the album last year, with Echodelick Records providing stellar service to get it on to much deserved vinyl pressing and give it wider exposure. I’m grateful they did, because I’m hooked. Every track is an event, requiring but wholly rewarding the listener’s patience.