BUCKETHEAD — Cyborg Slunks (review)

Album · 2007 · Metal Related

3/5 · 2017-08-09
siLLy puPPy

On his 21st solo album which was simultaneously released with several others, BUCKETHEAD was well on his way in proving his prolific nature with a restless appetite for ever more albums emerging with each sounding distinct from the other. Such is the case with the bizarre experimental sonic assault of CYBORG SLUNKS which after a couple of more accessible albums somewhat grounded in the alternative metal world suddenly shifts into a bizarre conglomerate of electronica weirdness performed by Kody Haggerty under the guise of the Cyborg Slunk Percussion Ensemble. This release displays a mix of weird unorthodox and all-over-the-place types of electronica whizzing around the outlandishly wicked guitar parts showcasing BH’s virtuosic skills.

“Sneak Attack” displays a more traditional BH virtuoso guitar workout as heard on many previous works including “Monsters And Robots.” This one features more guitar wankery and less electronica but does have some sparse percussion as well. The electronica when it appears is wild and weird! “Reopening Of The Scapula Factory” is basically a ten minute flamenco guitar display with unpredictable electronic noises that can be jarring and the polar opposite of the suave guitar smoothness. “Infiltration” has a funk based groove with the guitar and bass providing a somewhat distinct counterpoint effect but the electronics provide an avant-garde role when they drop out. The guitar parts are quite bluesy while the bass remains on funk mode. The guitar line is actually quite Hendrix inspired in fact.

“Aunt Suzie” is a more sombre track that starts out with arpeggiated clean guitar parts which create a recurring melody that extends close to the twelve minute mark. While the melody and clean guitar parts are consistent, electronic overdubs and guitar lick effects add some exotic flair to the mix, however one of those tracks that wears out its welcome because it’s too long. “A New War Is Underway” is more upbeat with a steady drum machine beat accompanied by a rather dissonant and noisy guitar feedback which once the percussion ceasing becomes quite jarring in its unrelenting weirdness with no steady time signature and freaky dynamics controls. This is some serious free form rock with no rules whatsoever. A true counterpoint to the previous track of too much control, this one contains jazzy avant-guitar leads, unpredictable bursts of distortion and percussive runs and lots of separate sounds randomly superimposed upon each other. I presume that the chaotic feel symbolizes the feeling of nervousness during the buildup to war. It sure feels like it.

CYBORG SLUNKS is a mixed bag. It is utterly unrelenting in its weirdness and sometimes feels like that exotic tendency is emphasized for its own sake instead of creating some subtext to justify its existence. For the weirdness effect the last track is the most effective in conveying a message of some sort but the rest of the album isn’t without its avant-charm. I can see why this album will be alienating to many but even as someone who craves the weirdest and most bizarre music that has to be offered, this one doesn’t quite scratch the itch in a most satisfying way as it seems a little too random and unfocused in any particular way. In hind sight it’s definitely a prognosticator of the future PIKE series as it reminds me of many of those hit and miss offerings. Still though, totally worth the listen even if it doesn’t rank high in my BH world.