Search - Supersilent :: Four

Junkmedia Review - Open-ended, selfless music

junkmedia | Los Angeles, CA | 02/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Group improvisation is a modern concept. The mechanics of improvising -- playing what's not on the page -- have been around since the beginning of time, hardwired into our brains and muscles. But musical improvisation has traditionally been narrowed down with strict sets of rules that define basic group roles, which notes to play and avoid (scales), and how long it all should last. As avant-garde and early electronic music began to solidify in the mid 20th century, many of the conventions governing improvisation were brought under academic, even spiritual scrutiny. Born from these heady days were the quickly diverging threads of "free" jazz and experimental avant-classical modes of improvisation, which eschewed traditional temporal and harmonic limits while placing the burden of art on the moment of execution rather than the pre-prepared score. Supersilent, a quartet of Norwegian improvisers, ties these loose threads of jazz and "academic" improvisation back together. The group's music is a profoundly unique blend of electronic and acoustic elements, and it's rigorously improvisational. In fact, the mysterious group refuses to rehearse or even discuss their music amongst themselves. As the title suggests, this is their sixth CD of material, following the three-CD 1-3, 4, and 5, all released on Norway's fine Rune Grammofon label. As their name might imply, Supersilent do their best to dissolve completely from the process and presentation of their music: track titles are numbered (6.1, 6.2, etc.), the groupmembers' names are not listed anywhere, and their album art has consisted of a series of monochromatic templates. The group's music follows suit, attempting to draw full attention to the collective output and none to the individual musician's contributions. Historically a "lead" instrument, Arve Henriksen's trumpet is usually so heavily processed (in real time; Supersilent also disdain most aspects of postproduction) that it blends in seamlessly with Helge Sten (often referred to as Deathprod) and Stale Storlokken's synthesizer manipulations. Similarly, Jarle Vespestad's percussion is comprised more of pure sounds and textures than rhythms, often employing both extremes of volume to further distort and disorient the drummer's place in the ensemble. The lack of obvious genre conventions within Supersilent's sprawling, electro-acoustic model makes their coherent, suite-like mentality all the more impressive. The group take on '70s Miles, Varese-worthy experimentalism, and proto-ambient texture with equal verve, but the reflective tone on 6 occasionally threatens a quasi-New Age sensibility that softens the group's wonderful edges. Such an open-ended music, where each track's constituent elements and feel are entirely unique, should betray the tendencies and personalities of the individuals involved. Amazingly, these kinds of ego-illuminating maneuvers are entirely absent. Although the music is improvised and entirely unplanned, Supersilent move as a singular entity, with the predetermined clarity and elegant cadence of formulated composition. The group's unedited process revels in the startling, "perfect imperfections" of selfless group improvisation. Ben Sterling..."

Mindblowing

miltbrann | Scandinavia | 08/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Supersilent is a band consisting of Helge Sten, Jarle Vespestad, Ståle Storløkken and Arve Henriksen. This is their second album, their debut a triple-cd with the engaging title '1-3'. The music created is more spectacular, like a modern Naked City, with refined musicians that has the key to the coveted vault of fine taste. Immersing themselves deep into intricate patterns and furious energy they utilize drums, occasional trumpet and the always present audio virus that is what they label their electronic help as. From moment to moment they can change from hardcore noise to industrialized passages before they depict the most beautiful ambient parts I've heard. Free improvisation all the time, never a minute of planned music, this group can only be recommended for adventurous ears that appreciate high quality music. Deliberately placing themselves beyond all borders and genres Supersilent emerges as one of the most exciting new groups that we have. ECM is now distributing Rune Grammofon and that should make Supersilent's albums more readily available. Even better are their just released third album ('5') that contains excerpts from live recordings. Buy. **** on the barometer."