Australian musician Gareth Liddiard released in 2020 a collection of recordings entitled “Bong Odyssey,” recorded between 1993 and 1998 with Rui Pereira, whom Liddiard would form The Drones with later on
“Bong Odyssey” is described best by Liddiard as “crazy music for crazy music’s sake.” The album is defined by extremely lo-fi production and recording mixed with guitar shredding and drum playing so intense it could rival much of the noise rock scene.
“Panzerschokolade” starts the album off with exactly that feel, and the continuation into “Atom Smasher” and “Late Heavy Bombardment” is so heavy and destructive it could destroy one’s eardrums. However, the project has other sounds to offer as well.
“Legal Ghost” is a notable track, as it was written after Liddiard’s girlfriend at the time passed away. Traumatizing as it was, it was also the incident that pushed him into pursuing music full time. It also stands out as one of the only tracks on the album that is quiet and downtrodden.
The album also caps off with “Space Meets The Floor,” a near 15-minute long ambient track that builds a feeling of anxiety and anxiety before reaching a subtle climax that employs what almost sounds like the Torre Bert recordings—an alleged recording of a failed, deadly cosmonaut mission. Whether real or not, its inclusion makes an absolutely haunting finish to an otherwise aggressive and outlandish record.
“Bong Odyssey” is simply insane. It’s perfect for someone who wants something unrelentingly absurd, but otherwise it may be a hard sell.
Rating: 8/10