Behold Behold…The Arctopus!  See their shimmering and gnarly cacophony of sound as they summon forth nano-nucleonic cyborgs on their EP/later expanded to full release with live cuts Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning.  If that sounds like a mouthful, well it perfectly encapsulates the music, a frenetic prog/noise/thrash-jazz hybrid instrumental execution courtesy of Colin Marston and Mike Lerner. 

It’s a sight to behold seeing Marston play his Warr Guitar; what’s even more amazing is that apparently the music is written on paper first, then played.  Listening to something like “Exospacial Psionic Aura” or “Alcoholocaust” shows a wide spectrum of musical ideas flawlessly executed and seldom repeated.  This certainly makes the songs vibrant and engaging on first listen, but sometimes runs the danger of not leaving any motiffs or hooks that hang on.  One thing is for sure, though: the musicianship on display here is insane.  That’s the thing that originally drew me to the band.  Coming back to Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning now, I’m just as impressed with the song construction even if it doesn’t always linger in my brain afterward.

I’m glad I have it, though.  The album and band challenge me to focus and pick out ideas and moments, refusing to let me listen passively.  If music can do that, bonus points.

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MORE BONUS!  A quick interview with Marston below where he talks about his process: