Ash Pool - World Turns on Its Hinge

Ash Pool is Kris Lapke on drums and Dominick Fernow on everything else, with session bass work from Emily Salvatierra (the trio comprised "mutant rock" outfit Football Rabbit some years back). Most know Fernow for his store/label Hospital Productions and his noise project Prurient. Thus, it's interesting to hear him take on black metal. It's not unlike the kind he likes to sell - feral, punky, lo-fi.

Sin of Life
Under Zyklon Blue

In his store, Fernow is prone to air guitar when describing his wares. World Turns on Its Hinge (Tour de Garde, 2007) is worthy of such gestures, too. From hearing him talk and knowing his tastes, you'd think Fernow would unleash nothing but bestial savagery. And while it has plenty of raw, jagged edges, his guitar work has surprising nuances. Not only does he nod towards heavier metal and thrash, he also ventures into depressive territory - Krohm, Xasthur, etc. "Under Zyklon Blue" has engulfing, moody arpeggios and well-placed accents; "Penetrated Slave" has plaintive singing (well, wailing). More thought went into the songwriting than Fernow would probably let on.

His lyrics have violent S&M themes, not my cup of tea - but they have a nice font, a stylishly legible script. The back cover has a long quote from Werner Herzog, appropriately about nature and violence. This is a nasty yet classy little package that I've enjoyed frequently. It's available on CD from Tour de Garde and Alien8, and on LP from Hospital Productions and Paragon. Aquarius Records currently carries both the CD and LP. Visitors to Hospital's NY store (60 East 3rd St., betw. 1st & 2nd Ave.) can also probably find these formats there.