The term “Heavy Metal” implies something weighing down on you, exercising a pressurising pull, tearing you to the ground. Don Caballero, however, are taking a different approach. Their propulsive Guitar contortions, confoundingly exotic polyrhythms and beaming strobe light melodics are creating hypnotic zero-gravity gyrations – lifting you weightlessly from the ground and taking you up, up and far away

“Punkgasm” certainly presents Damon Che’s four-piece in a contageously upbeat and utterly electrifying spirit. Whether it’s phoney or honest to refer to this album as their “best yet” doesn’t derogate the achievement of still sounding alive and kicking after a couple of almost lethal splits, inner turbulences and two decades in the business: In 2008, Don Caballero sound more like a pack of greedy young dogs than a congregation of discarded donkeys.

One could say that not all that much has changed. Che is still directing the action from behind his drums stool, propelling the pieces forward with his distinct tribal style. It always makes him sound as though two percussionists were playing in the middle of a tropical rainforrest at the same time, while Gene Doyle sends out Guitar lines somewhere between depressive Hardcore, Steve Reich’s psychedelic loops and a heart of darkness. The sound of “Punkgasm” is very much recognisable, yet what sets it apart are its scope and diversity.

The steady stream of instrumental prowess is regularly broken by insular passages of diversification. There are vocals on several tracks, including the heavenly choirs of bewilderingly titled “Why is the Couch always Wet?”. Long, complexly arranged and mantrically structured tracks, like opener “Loudest Shop Vac in the World” are counterpointed by short miniatures and concise three- to four-minute pieces. Bleeding angst is juxtaposed with uplifting atmospherics. Demandingly avantgardistic experiments flow into danceable grooves.

As a result, Punkgasm” develops an irresistible drive and, above all, a tantalising sense of wide-screen cinematics. Listening to the album is like taking a journey, which progresses with twists and turns, yet according to an undeniable logic. And as heavy as some of the material may be, you’ll always come out of it relaxed and rejuvenated – instead of feeling depressed and down.

By Tobias Fischer

Homepage: Don Caballero
Homepage: Relapse Records