Savak was a mystery before now, although I had heard of the project name several years back. This CD was purchased due to two driving factors: 1) It is being released on Unit Records, which for me has not released anything except quality music. 2) Half of the tracks this CD offers, are remixed by names I not only know more about but enjoy listening to as well. Maybe it's an advertising ploy Unit used by adding in some well known names as remixers, knowing that those names would raise interests in potential buyers? If it was, it worked on me and I am not disappointed with what I found.

The first track "A Warning to All" is a perfect introduction to what this concept album is about. Beeps and blips echoing at different levels, with a constant drone provide the foundation of this beatless track. Listening closely one can hear samples of numerous voices, gunfire and other sounds of chaos playing quietly behind the beeps and blips. On top of all of those noises are clearly heard samples of persons explaining the issues or actions the United States has taken involving Afghanistan. The sounds of the remaining songs morph through several varying styles. The slow style of music in "The Faceless Enemy" with it's swirling ambient effects and a slow drum beat, is offset by the sped up and more aggressive and noisy "Regime in Tension." These first 5 tracks don't ever burst out into all out rhythmic noise fest, but there are moments where it feels like that's where the music is leading ("Kabul" for example). The remixes on the other hand hold nothing back on the rhythmic noise side of things.

Of particular note: Track 3: "Regime in Tension"
While I do enjoy the slower tracks offered by Savak, something about the noisier, more aggressive nature of this song attracts me. The "tension" which the song title implies, is evident through out the track as it builds upon itself with it's increasing speed and noises. At one point the song slows it's pace back down to grind some noises in under a constant drone, and then races back up to it's previous pace. Not only did the song take me into it's desired image of a "Regime in Tension", it also proves to be quite danceable.

Track 7: "Persia (Dryft remix)"
This is a remix by Dryft? My question isn't meant in a negative sense. It's just that other compilations and remixes which involve Dryft either are sounding more (current) "Gridlock" in style or true to the sound of the "Cell" album. This remix though wants to get LOUD! The beats are drum 'n bass in style, but more distorted and sounding "crunchier." When the beat of the song dies down, the 'traditional' sounds of Dryft are heard in the keyboard lines. It's as though the basic layout for a Dryft song are all there, just layered deeper inside distortion. Fabulously done, and a true pleasure to listen to!

Track 8: "Stalemate (Element 11 remix)"
The 'Element 11' track presented on "Exoskelton 3" left me wanting more from this newcomer to the Unit Records artist list. Hopes were high here that this remix would be great, just as "Mingh" was. Being that it is a stand out track, you guessed right it comes through. This 6:00 minute plus song, has no contemporary beat to it. Instead cut up hisses, beeps and static are pasted together and varied in the speed of their delivery. This reminds me of breakcore style music, except sedated in it's speed and aggression. This remix is simply like nothing I can recall, remaining very mysterious but also attention grabbing. 'Element 11' is most certainly a must to investigate now that I know "Mingh" wasn't a one shot, lucky hit.

Impressively the imagery the first 5 songs create, hold true to the concept of this album. There is a pervading feeling of a country/government in turmoil, and the alien aspect of different customs in the country Afghanistan. Even with the break from the concept album with the remixes, the CD never lost my interest once. It's not often I can play a CD from beginning to end, and not wish to skip any tracks.

Information:
Label: Unit Records 2002
Serial: u10
Title: The Taliban Pistol CD
Band: Savak
Site: www.unitsounds.com

Reviewed by Bry'n
5.10.02