Meridian Arc, “Convergence” (self-released)
The former drummer for heavy psych-rockers Terminal Fuzz Terror and dark dronemongers A Story of Rats, Seattle’s Andrew Crawshaw has been spending the last four years honing his compositional skills on synthesizers such as Korg Mono/Poly, Korg Polysix, Sequential Prophet 6, Sequential Prophet 600, Elektron Digitakt, and Roland Re-101. Under the Meridian Arc alias, he’s developed into one of the region’s most formidable purveyors of sinister synthesizer emissions. His long-running Depths monthly at Substation has served as a testing ground for his ability to create alternate soundtracks for cult films in real/reel time. (Examples include The Exorcist, THX-1138, Begotten, and A Field in England.)
This year’s Dissolution EP once again summons deep cinematic vibes, with “Come the Night” boasting one of Meridian Arc‘s most evocative melodies, nestled within subtle pulsations redolent of Cluster and Harmonia‘s best work. However, it is “Convergence” that really reflects Meridian Arc at his best. It’s a slow-blooming flower of evil, all ominous drones and arpeggios, foreboding bass-drum thuds, and snapping, early-Human League-esque snares. I can imagine it scoring the remake of The Andromeda Strain—which is highest praise in my book.
