True to the labels goal to promote challenging metal thats often not metal at all, the End presents Santa Cruzs Estradasphere, a gypsy-esque fusion act already well established on Trey Spruances Mimicry Records where the Mr. Bungle ethos of radical experimentation is especially encouraged. Pages of sundry references can be drawn from each composition, which is a true conglomerate of the bands influences. "A Corporate Merger gets funky with 70s guitar effects and Middle Eastern overtones, and "The Terrible Beautypower of Meow mixes chamber strings with 60s surf films. "Colossal Risk delivers a mutated strain of Austin Powers and Pulp Fiction, and "The Unfolding Pause on the Threshold combines the creepy ambience of, interestingly enough, Dweller on the Threshold, and the mushroom-morphing in Super Mario Bros. "Smuggled Mutation heaves the first signs of metal on the album: a speedy thrash assault chased by a folksy violin, trombone, and accordion. "The Debutante is cool jazz like the Mass covering Dreadnaught, and the twisted "Flower Garden of an Evil Man is the Halloween soundtrack played by a feedbacking organ grinder. From Tim Burton to Ren & Stimpy composer Raymond Scott, Estradasphere cover all the bases to create incidental music for the soundtracks of the headbanger life.
(The End)Estradasphere
Palace of Mirrors
BY Chris AyersPublished Oct 1, 2006