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HELIOS CREED "Activated Condition"
Man's Ruin records, released: 1998
This is the latest psychedelic masterpiece from Mr. Creed, who was previously a cornerstone in the proto-cyberpunk band CHROME. This is his 10th solo release by my count (not including a "Your Choice Live" release). I must say that this is his best release in several years, although I believe all of his releases are excellent. The solo records do have a certain similarity to CHROME, for you CHROME fans, only more guitar oriented with an overt acid-rock vibe. He's still preoccupied with shifting, surreal soundscapes, and all things otherworldly. Like all of the solo albums, there isn't a single guitar or vocal sound on the recording that hasn't been flanged, echoed, phased, wah'd, distorted to hell, slowed down, reversed, etc. Helios, who primarily plays guitar and "sings", played a little of everything else as well on this album. The usual cast of supporting musicians are here, including the fabulous Z Sylver on synths and samplers, who seems to mostly contribute a whole lot of awesome wooshing sounds. Now, I love psychedelic rock, but lately I've been going back and dusting off records that have a lot of cool low-tech synth on them, like SUICIDE and early PERE UBU... HELIOS CREED has two great tastes that taste great together!
 
In interviews Helios has stated that he is trying to musically recreate early acid experiences of his, when he was listening to bands like BLACK SABBATH while tripping heavily, and how the distorted guitar seemed to echo and mutate in his head. Listen to this album with headphones, and your brain will be squirming like a toad. Like all of the solo releases, he covers a lot of ground on this album, from the KING CRIMSON-like opener "Frustration", to the plodding and retarded "Isolation Tank", to the speedy "Pissing on the Produce". He even throws in a "mellow rock" track in, "The Railing", and in his twisted hands it is awesome. Those who have enjoyed previous HELIOS CREED releases will love this, and the new listeners who crave psychedelic sounds will be blown away by the master of space rock. I can't stop listening to this. Next stop, Obsessionland.
[KENNY 2000 8/1/98]