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Big Paul Fergusons collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Mark Gemini Thwaite was something I had anticipated listening to for some time.

I approached Paul to review after hearing a taster of it and he was more than happy to forward. After immersing myself in this dark electronic, industrial and emotive album, I have come out the other side and have retained my sanity. Anyone who has ever heard Killing Joke, for instance, would have half an idea that an album that would be released by the rhythmic master, would be worthy of scrutiny and reverence.

Having heard some of BPF’s work out with Killing Joke, I anticipated “Remote Viewing” would bring another level of understanding of how he has developed, not only as a drummer but also a producer and architect of sound. The fact that he also spends a great deal of his life moulding metal and creating art from natural resources, can only stand him in good stead! There is a fluidity to his creativity; he crafts molten metal into things of beauty that can be handled by those who best appreciate the craftsmanship. Let’s not forget the considerable input from his collaborator, a well-respected musician in his own right and from what I’ve heard during the review of this album, the perfect partner for BPF as they have both created something that will have a metamorphosis once its audience hears it.

It is an album that you will feel as well as hear. The message within each song, by nature, should reach you on several levels, spiritually, subliminally and directly depending on how you receive them. It will be an awakening, perhaps even a revelation but should not be a surprise. You should be ready for your transformation.

Hungry Ghosts – A subtle beginning to the album. Arpeggiated synth and syncopated drums with heavily effected spoken words that remind me of Leftfield and Massive Attack before heavy guitar chords come hammering in just over a minute into the song that leans more towards a metal/rock fusion. Not unlike some Killing Joke remixes but far enough removed that apart from the name, you wouldn’t know he was a founding member based on this offering. As the song progresses, the vocal delivery and the progressive build-up of guitars with sustained searing chords have you almost in a semi-trance and all too soon, it is over. Slightly under 4 minutes but felt like it would go on longer. Leaves me wanting more.

Reboot – Heavy kick drum and synched synth open the next track with the spoken word theme being carried on. Again, an arpeggiated synth features throughout. There’s some very clever programming going on, and although the composition sounds complicated, the mix is well engineered to the point all tracks are audible and well separated. “Help me, Jesus, help me now” runs throughout the track and we’re not going to grasp these songs on first hearing, which is not a bad thing. The mix is busy but again, hypnotic and addictive.

BPF – Reboot

Fear The Great Motivator – Drums and Vocals take early precedence in this song so you are grabbed and directed into Paul’s voice almost as if you are listening to a hypnotist as you succumb to the narration. When the hammering bass and guitar come in with screaming soaring synths with a pronounced snare that makes you feel like you’re an oarsman responding to the drumbeat on a slave warship being forced into battle. There is a real menace in the delivery of the music as Paul’s voice drums words into your brain. The song has a darkness, “Fear” is the driving message as he lists our inner hidden fears one by one. “Fear the great motivator” is the message as “We build our lives around fear”. We should know as a society, we are being force-fed by the establishment/media to “Fear” but “Fear does not exist” is BPF’s real message!

Terrible Warriors – Bongo drum and spoken word kick off the fourth track. The rhythm set by the bongos is matched by syncopated keyboard/synth as the spoken word continues in the same hypnotic manner as previous tracks. The song builds and has the feel of a mix of reggae/dub rhythms.

XBOX – “What are you gonna do” – BPF uses this song as a social commentary/rant with a message that we need to wake up! Describing the “XBOX” as a “Waste of fucking time machine” the cyber-cynical music matches the antagonistic commentary as BPF repeatedly asks the opening line. The repetitive edgy rhythmic bassline on a continual loop feels like it has been slowed down to bring an arrogant backup to BPF’s lyrics. The ultimate call to arms on the album.

I Am War – We are six songs into the album and now we feel the BPF / Killing Joke influence. The guitar feels like it is simulating the part of drum toms as its repetitive chords effectively match the kick and give a tribal feel as the bass underlines the entire song. Paul narrates continuously through the song. “I Am” –Fear/Ignorance/Hate/Anger/Creator/Gold/Gold digger/Problem/Cure – “I conflict, I am War”. BPF continues the conflicting/challenging messages for us all to heed.

BPF – I Am War

Zarzal – The song kicks in with serious sub-bass frequencies that reverberate like a weaponised instrument that will destroy your mind or the building you inhabit. Delivered in a dub like fashion with melodic vocals spoken softly, there is a mellow feel to the final track. Complicated harmonics that are made up of staccato keyboard chords and sporadic percussion. Some great stereo mixed guitars pick their way through the latter part of the song as it drifts into the ether as it finishes.

The release date for the CD is August 24^th. It is however available on a pre-order or digital download via www.deadradiostation.com/bpf

Notes from the website (below)

1. Hungry Ghosts
2. Reboot
3. The Great Motivator
4. Terrible Warriors
5. X-Box
6. I am War *
7. Zarzal *

Written and recorded by Paul Ferguson (BPF) at Drum’n’Steel Works, Baltimore, MD; and Mark Gemini Thwaite at Mob Research Laboratories, Los Angeles, CA.

* written and recorded by Paul Ferguson

Percussion, voice and loops – Paul Ferguson

Guitars and additional instrumentation – Mark Gemini Thwaite

Electric Violin on X-Box – Brainshadow

Produced by Mark Gemini Thwaite and Paul Ferguson

Mixed by Mark Gemini Thwaite

X-Box – Mixed by Brainshadow

Mastered by Brainshadow at Digital Mysteries, Stockholm, SE.

With gratitude to Mont Sherar, Daniel Watson, and Mark Gemini Thwaite.

And to Olga Cestero-Ferguson, for her support and putting up with me.

Dedicated to Maqui Berríos, whom I will never stop missing.

 

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