seven

The last Law material I heard was a cassette released nearly seven years ago, and needless to say this new disc is quite a departure from where the project first put down its roots. This is a landmark release for Law, as it's the debut release from Triumvirate, a new label co-founded by Law's Mitchell Altum with a pair of co-conspirators. It's safe to say that Altum's sketchy dealings with numerous labels over the years have ultimately been a driving inspiration behind the choice to become directly involved in the release of his music.

The themes and messages present on Vindication and Contempt are border-line social commentary, and although the exact meanings tend to be a little vague they still play an important role in one's impression of the music. With a sarcastic indictment of 'mini-van-Wal-Mart-America' standing out in the liner notes there should be no question as to where Altum's distaste stems from; as far as I can hear it's primarily contempt, not the vindication, that is exorcised through this music.

"Hollow" opens the disc at a very calm pace, with a warm bed of static, spaced out metronome-like beats and crawling moans leading the way. Strangely processed spoken word dialogue, altered to sound like it was run through some form of witness protection device, increases the solemn, subdued feel of the track. The start of "No One Will Find Them" has a very distant sound, with violent, yet quiet rhythms and reverberating acoustic guitar chords. Another monologue, this time Altum's clear voice coupled with a loud whisper, adds to the oddly apocalyptic overtones. "A Place of Refuge, A Test of Commitment" features simple, clear and dark synth melodies, hovering over a shadow of courser noise which slowly rises up as the track progresses.

This music paints the picture of a desolate landscape, oppressive and bleak. The dense soundscapes are tense and far from comfort. "Locked Down Solid" sounds like a Survival Research Laboratories performance in the middle of a winter storm, powerful scrap metal machines grinding up the concrete as they thrash around, bent on mutual damage. It's almost as though Altum is facing us with the soundtrack to our future consequences. When I listen to this material I get the impression that he's not just out to simply create dark noise for the hell of it; there is clearly a personal meaning for him and a meaning he hopes will sink in as a part of each listener's experience.