Crumbling Brain

On this live album recorded in 2008, Peter Brötzmann’s Full Blast trio expands to a sextet with the addition of trumpeter Peter Evans, second saxophonist Mars Williams, and most notably guitarist/vocalist Keiji Haino. Things start off at a gallop, Michael Wertmüller’s relentless, almost tribal drumming setting the pace as Brötzmann and bassist Marino Pliakas lay the hammer down. Williams guests on “Battle Of Visions”; “Pull Up! Pull Up! Terrain! Terrain!” is a trio noise-rock jam for Haino and the rhythm section; “Elegance Of Darkness” is a duet, Haino chanting monkishly as Evans makes hissy, kissy noises with his horn; and only on “Have Your Eyes” and “Deathbop” does the entire ensemble go all out. But everything here is worth hearing.