The Thousands

An exploration in experimental noise, doom and free improvisation, Burnt Skulls eschews the narcotic stumble and psychedelic nuances of Stacey Wilson’s solo work while exploring Tim Deane-Freeman’s sly infiltration of the textures of Japanese outfit, Les Rallizes Dénudés. This is a hit of kiff, washed down with cheap vodka whilst mainlining Metal Machine Music. It’s dirty and loose.

Brainchild of Tim (formerly of Skeletons, The Weevils and member of the world wide Damo Suzuki Network), and born of a desire to ‘make heaps of noise’, Burnt Skulls’ debut album, was recorded live at home, with no overdubs, on a portable cassette recorder.

Movement of the flanged harmonic feedback around Tim’s frenzied percussive structure on the first track, simply entitled ‘I’, attacks with the ferocity of a European wasp. It staggers toward the end of the song but never loses it’s true path, relentlessly attacking through to its end.

‘II’ is a sombre affair. It’s doom without the cloaks and smoke machines. The drums roll along furrows dug out by the shimmering drone of Stacey’s guitar. The overblown fast spin cycle guitar in ’III’ leans uncomfortably against non-faltering beats. Try putting cutlery in the washing machine. The sound is close. Three tracks. 60 odd minutes. Another outstanding release from the Faux Friends imprint.