Kirkbinsinek: Sis Pus Sus

Kirkbinsinek are a Turkish outfit who bring the music of their culture and squeeze and squash it up tight against a 60s and 70s psychedelic and space rock ethos to make a surprisingly cohesive and individual sound. Unlike many of the bands from this region of the world who try to add a Middle Eastern flair to established Western genres (some with real success) this outfit seem to start from a different place. The two chosen opposite approaches on an equal, if not always present, footing throughout.

"Hoyrat" begins the journey deep and mournful, an almost slow and laboured meander being transformed as drums kick and twist things on their head. Suddenly this is Middle Eastern music with a psych twist, darting guitars straddling two disparate starting points in quite startling fashion. "Neftes" adds vocals (and cello) to the mix, the layered wails landing somewhere between upbeat Gregorian chant and Papa Emeritus from the band Ghost! Mad, but effective. While the vocals in the sparky outburst known as "Derdim Dert" take a similar idea and infuse a catchier ethos into the mix to form a highlight of Sis Pus Sus; the percussion work busy and insistent, the staccato "wakka-wakka" guitars irresistible.

From there the journey maintains a romping, eclectic quality, "Kara Iplik" almost like a cello fronted Opeth, "Karanlik Cökünce" a slow song of surprising hypnotic beauty, while "Shijin" offers a more obviously space rock wig out, although again in quite pointed fashion. The album closes with the title cut, a raggedly sharp cutting of guitars again pierced by snappy snare work and enigmatic vocals which draw you in whether you can speak the language (I'm presuming all the words are sung in their native language, but don't know for sure), or not.

Comparisons are hard to find. Yes King Crimson has been used as a reference but you certainly couldn't suggest this lot actually sound like them, while early Pink Floyd is also a touching point, but little more. The short press release talks of continuing a Turkish tradition laid out by Erkin Koray, Mogollar or Baris Manco, but on that I'll have to bow to those with greater knowledge. What I do know however, is that if you're looking for an enigmatic and captivating romp across a whole host of Eastern flavours and Western ideals, perfectly meshed, but in a much more subtle manner than most "Oriental" metal bands, then Sis Pus Sus is where it's at.

Track Listing
A1. Hoyrat
A2. Nefes
A3. Derdim Dert
A4. Oyun
A5. Kara Iplik
B1. It Dalasi
B2. Karanlik Cökünce
B3. Shijin
B4. Sis Pus Sus

Added: October 9th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Kirkbinsinek on Facebook
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Language: english

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