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zweizzjoehopkins
Artist: Zweizz & Joey Hopkins
Title: Zweizz & Joey Hopkins
Genre: Experimental Metal
Release Date: 2011
Label: Jester Records


Album Review

ZWEIZZ & JOEY HOPKINS is a once in a lifetime project between two well known artists… literally. Back in 2007, ambient black metal artist ZWEIZZ (aka. Svein Hatlevik) of FLUERTY and DODHEISMGARD fame connected with the work of JOEY HOPKINS, most well known for his work in the aptly titled group JOEY HOPKINS’ MIDGIT FACTORY. Both artists were into the “odd” side of metal and tried to collaborate on a side project. There was a rough skeleton of work done before HOPKINS died in 2008 from carbon monoxide incident. His loss was a great shame to the metal world for losing a talented artist at such a young age (before 30) and the collaborative piece was shelved for some time. Now, years later, ZWEIZZ has been taking some time to fine-tune and expand on the tracks that he and HOPKINS created to finally release the album as a sort of posthumous tribute, as a closure of sorts for anyone who knew HOPKINS personally and would like to hear some fresh music from him despite his untimely demise.

As a result, the duo’s only self titled album is about as random and hectic is their (former) works. Most could consider the music here on tracks like ‘Bimor Bibmoj’ and ‘dWill to dPower / Tomorrow’ as sonic random heaps of frantic techno beats, synthesizers, and random samplings that will drive people pretty nuts if they can’t stand “disorderly music”. Industrial samplings can be discerned as well, but this is more experimental or ambient than any other subgenre. There is only a small amount of black metal in the guitar tone, but not much in the way of shrieking vocals or lots of tremolo picking. Usually the music sounds like an old Nintendo or Gameboy soundtrack hacked to pieces and then vomited up as a mangled remix, such as with ‘Smash Politics Gag’.

The chaotic style suits HOPKINS’ innovative presence with his work on MIDGIT FACTORY, and the often harsh atmosphere attributes to ZWEIZZ’ doing in black metal with his own personal touches of ambiance. Not all the tracks are ambient messes though. Some are actually almost “chill ambient” such as ‘Black Strobes’, which features soft guitar passages over lulling background synths and drums with a dreamy soundscape. Some are just downright haunting nightmares like ‘Eternal Puberty’, especially with the anguished vocals layered in the background. ZWEIZZ also employed numerous guest vocalists to fill in on some of the tracks. Most notable among them is Kyrstoffer Ryggs of ARCTURUS and ULVER fame, along with Carl-Michael Eide of AURA NOIR and Kim Solva of DELERIUM BOUND. Each artist provides a different vocal style, from the creepy child-like chants on ‘dWill to dPower/ Tomorrow’ to the lulling distorts of ‘No Clue’.

With such a massive variation of songs that at the same time don’t seem like they are that different, it can be hard to tell just how much difference the final mastered tracks were from the skeletons back in 2008. Some may consider this just sheer b.s. noise, but ZWEIZZ did an excellent job at crafting an experimental metal piece that helps complete JOEY HOPKINS’ legacy in his vein of music and sometimes the sections of music are so genius in their clashing contrasts that one can’t help but marvel at the ingenuity of both these artists. It’s random, but smart. For those who have followed ZWEIZZ’S own work or HOPKINS’ will be pleased to see another slab of madness headed their way. New fans who enjoy groups such as (later) ULVER, BORIS, or other ambient/ harsh experimental projects like SPECTRAL LORE and T.O.M.B. will find this very appealing. R.I.P. Joey Hopkins. This tribute will stand as part of a testimony to your accomplished musical skill.


Tracklist

01. Eternal Puberty - 4:21
02. dWill to dPower / Tomorrow - 4:19
03. Black Strobes - 5:36
04. Bimor Bibmoj             - 4:38
05. Smash, Politics, Gag - 3:15
06. Porcelain Dolls in the Bath - 5:45
07. The Goat - 5:49
08. How We Ate The Flesh - 4:32
09. No Clue - 5:53


Line-up

All instruments: Zweizz & Joey Hopkins


Website

http://www.myspace.com/zweizzmusick


Cover Picture

zweizzjoehopkins


Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 7
Total: 7.5 / 10


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