John Zorn & AutorYno - Flauros: Book of Angels Volume 29 (2016)

After 12 years and 28 CDs, the “Book of Angels” project is drawing towards completion! For one of the last installments, Zorn turns to AutorYno, a wild power trio of three Paris punk rockers and one of the most powerful bands in the French rock scene. Their third CD for Tzadik presents tunes from the classic “Book of Angels” in a heavy rock context. Metal, Punk, Thrash, Dub and Surf come together in this trance-inducing sledge-hammer reading of some of the strongest and strangest pieces out of the Masada repertoire. One of the last releases in the “Angels” series is also one of the most compelling!

“Flauros” is a wild and unforgettable ride. It is unusual as a Zornian project in that it plays what could be described as Jewish prog-metal/rock. As the gate opens, “Flauros” comes out running at full speed with ‘Carcas’ and ‘Saelel.’ Indeed, the drums blaze, the bass grinds, and the guitar shreds. As on ‘Uvmiel,’ the sound is often at that crossroads where aggressive rock and metal flirt: think of projects like Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters. David Konopnicki’s guitar solo in ‘Adoyahel’ explores psychedelia. On the song, Cyril Grimaud’s performance on the drums has to be heard to be believed. ‘Qaddisin’ strikes with concussive power. The album takes a breather with ‘Shahariel.’ The relaxed psychotropic song features a dub drum echo. While the surf inspired ‘Abrimas’ is only fifty-one seconds, it’s long enough to take your breath away. The cerebral quality of songs like ‘Bethuel’ showcase the project’s progressive rock element. That said, the album also has a jazz feel in that it is instrumental and follows the head > solo > head structure. ‘Achusaton’ explores a rich and colorful sonic landscape. Like March, the project comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb thanks to ‘Kaniel.’ The beautiful Jewish melody shows the band’s tender side. Indeed, Konopnicki, Grimaud, and Delorme, are no one trick pony. While the music can be described as progressive-rock/metal, these musicians express a rainbow of musical ideas. The odd time signatures emphasize this sentiment. In the Book of Angels series, the most like-minded project is Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz’s high octane “Abraxas.” “Flauros” is recommended, but fasten your seat belt before pressing 'play.'