Released on cassette by Astral Spirits:
komeshitrio.bandcamp.com/album/the-master-speaks-thrice
Soundohm: "Dark and demanding improvisation, each side of this album is an extended foray into dark and dangerous explorations from the Los Angeles trio . . . Shiroishi's sweeping tones matching the electronics and effected guitar in a glorious nightmare of darkly imaginative sound."
Avant Music News: "At first blush, it is striking how Meek’s contributions are out in front. Often the electronics take a background role in group improv settings, but here he serves up harsh walls, sound effects, and high-pitched drones. Kolovos provides distorted chording, spiky notes, and extended techniques, while Shiroishi flutters and squeaks in and about his bandmates. The intensity level and mood varies, but builds when all three play off of one another in crescendos that are concentrated sonic assaults. On the other hand, Kolovos and Shiroishi also duel their way through speed runs and structured wailing. The overall result is a dense sound that comes off as being from a group bigger than that of a trio. The Master Speaks Thrice is a powerful statement that can add a healthy dash of dissonance to your morning coffee or evening drink. Well done, indeed."
Cassette Gods: "The Books of My Numberless Dreams is a wordlessly incanted library of miasmic pestilence, a slow enveloping of the listener by dark forces that leaves one a husk once the music has done its work. Jags of each player’s instrument lash out at opportune moments and pierce the dread . . . One Note for the Dervish tricks you at first into thinking it may stretch euphoniously into hymnodic rhapsody, but that spell is broken quickly as the electronics short-circuit and set the stage for an apocalyptic showdown . . ."
Squidco: "The title sounds like it would fit a Hammer Horror movie, and the two extended improvisations back it up. There is great compatibility in dark tone and technique between these three players, and the balance between acoustic and electronic sounds is hit perfectly. Patrick Shiroishi in particular invokes some of the most intense sounds in their improvisations, braying, crowing, and swooping into upper registers to harmonize and challenge Noel Meek's electronic tones . . . A wonderfully ominous album."
released October 15, 2019
PETER KOLOVOS - guitar
PATRICK SHIROISHI - saxophone
NOEL MEEK - electronics & tapes
Mastering - Lasse Marhaug
Artwork by Jaime Zuverza
Thanks to Nate Cross.
Recorded live in Los Angeles
Side A September 30th 2017
Side B July 12th 2018