Can a supergroup, where the proceedings are balanced, unpretentious, and completely devoid of ego, exist? Fortunately yes! Jaberdarwin delivers a prime example of that.
Ever wondered what a band comprised of members, former members, and musicians who collaborated with Porcupine Tree, Motorpsycho, Merzbow (we cut the list short, or we would have to be here all day!!) would sound like? If you did, you’re in luck because this will surely be a good place to find out.
Colin Edwin is a veritable journeyman player. Always eager to explore new sounds and new projects to display his formidable fretless bass chops. Eraldo Bernocchi is a like-minded player who has collaborated with Colin Edwin in the past. He’s also played with Harold Budd, Mick Harris (ex-Napalm Death), Igor Cavallera (ex-Sepultura), etc. If he ever forms a band with Dave Lombardo, it’ll surely be freakin’ awesome! Two extremely talented musicians round out the line-up. Tomas Jarmyr (Motorpsycho, Zu) on drums, and bass clarinetist Gareth Davis, who has worked with many musicians/bands. Probably the most well-known will be Merzbow.
These projects, AKA supergroups, can go one of two ways. Either you’re constantly trying to upstage your fellow musicians – a sort of Liquid Tension Experiment situation – or you are truly collaborative and try to be as balanced as possible with what you bring to the table. A good example of this would be Bozzio Levin Stevens. Fortunately, this band is in line with the latter! 
The solidarity and complementarity between the musicians is off the charts. Never does a note, a riff, or a melody sound forced or contrived. The songs ebb and flow effortlessly. They prove they can turn aggressive and heavy on a dime. Before switching gears, they play an almost pastoral arrangement.
The tracks are composed in such a manner that they weave a sonic tapestry, which makes the transitions almost seamless. This could be perceived as a single composition, divided into six parts. Come to think of it, it’s probably better this way, since several modern CD player manufacturers seem to inexplicably forget gapless playback.
The way that Colin’s bass lines lock in with the drums makes us believe these guys have been playing together for at least 40 years. Although that wouldn’t be possible because the drummer was born in 1987. Eraldo’s guitar can seamlessly switch from a metal/noise riff to an almost angelic melody. Furthermore, David’s clarinet work is supportive and almost surgical in its approach. It confers a cinematic nature on the music. It almost works like a keyboard player would, adding small bits of eeriness and controlled aggression.
Expertly produced by Eraldo Bernocchi and Colin Edwin, all the instruments sound crisp and detailed. You can almost feel the vibration of the strings when Colin plays. The clarinet seems to appear and vanish from the song, without sounding strained. If anything, it sounds menacing and unsettling, but that was probably the whole point! Eraldo’s guitar is sharp and detailed in both settings (thumping riffs or semi-acoustic passages). The full force of the drums is expertly captured – the cymbal work is full and crisp, the toms are heavy and beefy, the bass pedal has an organic sound, and the snare sounds like it is played by a human. It is nuanced, strong when it has to be. Light when the situation warrants it. None of that cardboardy sound. Take that Bob Rock and Mutt Lange!!
The music is expansive without sounding directionless. Contemplative without sounding preachy. Heavy without being abrasive (it’s only heavy in spots! This is not John Zorn’s Painkiller).
Will this album win any accolades or even, dare I say, a Grammy? Probably not! That honor will probably be bestowed upon someone who has all the likes/shares on social media. This is music composed and played primarily for the musicians themselves, a rare commodity these days. Thankfully, for those who are able to discover and appreciate this level of integrity and commitment, it should be an extremely rewarding listening experience.
The Soft Collapse is set for release of November 6th.
JABERDARWIN
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