Common Eider, King Eider/Cober Ord/Palimpseste/Cyclic Law/2020 CD Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  a  collaboration  album between  Common  Eider,  King  Eider  and  France's  Cober  Ord  which  shows  them  bringing  in  a  mixture  of  black  ambient,  drone,  field  recordings  and  ritual  and  the  recording  is  called  "Palimpseste"  and  was  released  by  Cyclic  Law.

  Field  recordings  start  off  the  album  before  adding  some  atmospheric  sounding  drones  and  ritualistic  soundscapes  onto  the  recording.  When  synths  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  elements  of  dark  ambient  into  the  music  along  with  the  demonic  voices  in  the  background  also  adding  in  some  touches  of  black  metal.

  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while ritualistic  sounding  bells  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording.  When  melodic  chants  and  evil  sounding  whispers  are  utilized  they  also  enhance  the  occult  atmosphere  of  the  songs  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  some  programmed  beats.

  A  couple  of  songs  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  stringed  instruments  along  with  a  brief  use  of  distorted  guitar  sounds.  All  of  the  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  as  well  as  the  music  also  capturing  a  cavernous  atmosphere  at  times  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  nature,  occultism  and  ritualistic  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  collaboration  from  Common  Eider  King  Eider  and  Cober  Ord  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black  ambient,  drone,  field  recordings  and  ritual,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Earth's  Sacred  Womb"  and  "As  The  Spirits  Watch  Over  Us,  We  Reciprocate".  8  out  of  10.

  

    

Common Eider, King Eider/A Wound Of Body/Cyclic Law/2018 CD Review

  Common  Eider,  King  Eider  are  a  band  from  San  Francisco,  California  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  ritual  and  blackened  drone  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "A  Wound  Of  Body"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Cyclic  Law.

  An  almost  silent  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  adding  in  field  recordings  while  the  music  also  incorporates  a  great  amount  of  atmospheric  soundscapes  along  with  the  songs  also  getting  very  ritualistic  at  times and  when  voices  are  utilized  they  bring  in  elements  of  black  metal  onto  the  recording.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  great  amount  of  ambient  drones  while  all  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  music  also  capturing  a  cavernous  atmosphere  as  well  as  the  music  also  having  its  distorted  moments  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  instrumentals.

  Common  Eider,  King  Eider  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  to  their  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  ritual  and  blackened  drone  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Common  Eider,  King  Eider  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  dark  ambient,  ritual  and  blackened  drone,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Remembrance  A  Threnody"  and  "River  of  Blood".  8  out  of  10.

VIEW ON BANDCAMP

  

Common Eider, King Eider Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before can you tell us a little bit about the band? I started in 2006 as a solo project and decided it was going to be the last project I start. I also decided that I would be working on this project for the rest of my life. Over the years it has opened up to be collective of sorts, with various members participating and being involved as much or little as they see fit.


2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings? Vulnerability. Exposed. Most recordings used on the releases are first takes, often recorded with a cell phone. I feel like that is the time things are most unsure and dangerous sonically. There is something truthful in it to me.

3.What are some of the themes and images you bring out with your music? Some themes revolve around the concept of extinction. Those already lost, and those losing the battle of the extinction crisis we are currently witnessing. Loss, and having nothing left to lose.

4.According to the fb page you are both politically and environmently active, can you tell us a little bit more about it? Common Eider, King Eider is in direct opposition to the Trump Administration. We are against racism, fascism, bigotry, misogyny, and xenophobia. We celebrate diversity. We celebrate and advocate for women's rights, LGBT rights, houseless people's rights, environmental protection, and indigenous rights and indigenous land struggles. We celebrate creation through destruction.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Common Eider, King Eider'? I liked the image in my mind of how the words common and king were used to compare to equally beautiful birds. Neither word means anything, we are all simple and majestic, humble and powerful.

6.What are some of the best shows that you have done so far and also how would you describe your stage performance? We are incorporating much more collaborative ritual these days, and it feels really good. we are concerned with raising energy and directing that energy towards  a destination. Collaborative ritual has worked well to achieve this.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future? 4/11 Berlin
4/12 Amsterdam
4/13 Lille
4/14 Diksmuide
4/15 Paris
4/16 Nantes
4/17 Tolouse
4/18 Lyon
4/19 Basel
4/20 Bruxelles
4/21 Rotterdam
4/22 Leipzig
4/23 Poznan

8.Can you tell us a little bit more about the quests you have had on your new album and their contributions?

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your recordings by fans of underground music? Very supportive from a wide demographic.... fans of black metal, academia, experimental... all ages and backgrounds. I have been really inspired talking with folks after gatherings.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future? Large choir pieces are on the horizon.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays? Arvo Part, Donald Miller, Draugurrin, Forndom

12.What are some of your non musical interests? Reading, spending time in Alaska. Trying to weed capitalism and patriarchy out of my life. Screen printing.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? Take care of each other, protect those who need help, be ready for anything..... Black ash rains down upon us.

https://commoneiderkingeider.bandcamp.com/

Common Eider, King Eider/Shrines For The Unwanted, Respite For The Cast Aside/Sentient Ruin Laboratories/2017 CD Review

  Common  Eider,  King  Eider  are  a  band  from  San  Francisco,  California  that  plays  a  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  ritual,  and  blackened  drone  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Shrines  For The  Unwanted, Respite  For  The  Cast  Aside"  which will  be  released  in  April  by  Sentient  Ruin  Laboratories.

  Field  recordings  start  off  the  album  along  with  some ambient  style  soundscapes  a  few  seconds  later  while  also  mixing  in  a  great  amount  of  atmospheric  synths  and  after  awhile  percussion's  are  added  onto  the  recording  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  songs  also  mix  in  a  great  amount  of  drones.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  all  instrumental  while grim  black  metal  vocals  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  music  starts  adding  in  a  more  experimental  and  avant  garde  touch  along  with  the  tracks  bringing  in  a  more  ritualistic  atmosphere  along  with  a  brief  use  of  melodic Gregorian  chants  and  the  last  song  was  recorded  live.

  Common  Eider,  King  Eider  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  drone,  dark  ambient,  and  ritual  and  mixes  it  in  with  elements  of  black  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  lo-fi  while  the  song  themes  focus  on  Occultism  and  Rituals.

  In  my  opinion  Common  Eider,  King  Eider  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  mixture  of  drone,  ritual  and  dark  ambient  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of those  musical  genres,  you  should  check out  this  band.   RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Dark  Winter" and  "Litha".  8  out  of  10.

Bandcamp