diminished men: capnomancy

By distorting hard-boiled film music through a cracked, overcast lens, Diminished Men refocus their influences into something entirely unique. Capnomancy, their second release on the Abduction label, is a collection of stark, exotic instrumentals full of high-tension energy and infected terror. Cloaked in a supernatural fog and man-made electrical storms, chiaroscuro landscapes read like a sci-fi postcard with a giallo ransom note attached. The band's jagged, hard-charging approach evokes images of slit jugulars and accelerated heart rates, all the while swathing you in a blissful claustrophobia, reflecting elements of Morricone's dissonant horror scores, gritty noir cues, and the bloodshot nerves of a kratom-hazed Link Wray. Distant, searing guitars and pummeling drums seep with slow-pan derangement, panicked suspense and clouded '50s Americana delusion. The smoke clears and reveals a mirage of melancholy Wenders-esque backdrops and AM radio nightmares, but quickly returns to some other world that it came from. The final album to be released from his now-defunct Aleph Studio, producer Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Earth, Secret Chiefs 3, Wolves In The Throne Room, etc.) contributes greatly with his visceral, heavy production, making this album their darkest offering yet. Another bizarre series of degenerate no-hit wonders from the phantom guitars of Steve Schmitt, drummer Dave Abramson and multi-instrumentalist Simon Henneman. Capnomancy features guest appearances from members of Master Musicians Of Bukkake as well as other Northwest delinquents, saxophonist Skerik and vocalist Sara Johanne. Extremely limited edition of 400 LP copies.