OCRILIM

Those of you less than enamored with 79 minutes of guitar composition may want to steer clear of OCRILIM's "Annwn". However, don't necessarily write it off as random shredding with no redeeming musical value. Guitarist Mick Barr (ORTHRELM, OCTIS, CROM TECH, THE FLYING LUTTENBACHERS, and ZACK HILL & MICK BARR) has crafted an album "comprised entirely of pieces for multiple electric guitaris" that is strangely mesmerizing, enough so that the marathon duration is not only bearable, but also intriguing and enjoyable.

Granted, a particular mood is required to fully absorb the album and those looking to take a reprieve from blast beats and breakdowns may find it refreshing. The walls of guitars are done in a way that does not eschew song structure, instead painting mental images of swirling six strings that come off like semi-classical pieces. Avant-garde, the oft overused term, is fitting in this case, yet the songs don't result in the kind of mind-numbing excess one experiences with the typical showy shred fests vomited out by any number of technical wizards.

Words like "soloing" don't even fit in the context of "Annwn", as the music created is in fact based in composition. The hypnotic runs are given low-end support, acting as rhythmic accompaniment, rather than juxtaposed bits that seemingly go nowhere. Music theorists and accomplished musicians will surely find much to appreciate on "Annwn". But what was most surprising is how Barr has crafted an album that has much broader, albeit still limited, appeal because of the album's hypnotic and tuneful qualities. A pleasant surprise to these ears, "Annwn" offers much in which to delve, provided you are not prone to seizures.