Hebron Massacre
release date: 7/5/94
Proving once again that current political events are the main source of their inspiration, Muslimgauze have recorded a track in response to the recent massacre of Arab worshippers at Hebron. This release will be issued in a numbered limited edition of 2000 copies and will not be reprinted.
Press release from Soleilmoon.Erectile Dysfunction.
The following appeared on Grinding into Emptiness.
This is Bryn Jones's latest depiction of the Middle-Eastern massacres that motivate his prolific career. Hebron Massacre is in a limited edition of 2000. It is a one-track, 25 minute EP displaying a very electronic side of this band. It is overall, typical for a Muslimgauze release, featuring the Arabic percussion and various other Middle-Eastern instrumentation. Much synthetic instrumentation is added into this piece as well, more that others. It features a screeching synth in the background throughout pretty much the whole piece. Synth patterns are found throughout and are constantly morphing and changing. An interesting addition to this piece is the political samples, of which I have seldom heard in Muslimgauze tracks. Throughout "Hebron Massacre," the complexity of the music changes constantly, from minimalistic beats to complicated chaotic rhythms. This release is assuredly one of the best I have heard from this English mastermind.
review by: Scott Mallonee
This review originally appeared on
G R I N D I N G i n t o E M P T
I N E S S (4.06.98)
The following appears in All Music Guide.
Written and recorded in a one-day session shortly after the titular event the February 24, 1994 murders of a number of Palestinians by a crazed Jewish settler at Hebron's Cave of the Patriarchs the one-track Hebron Massacre remains one of the bitterest and most straightforward indictments of Israel ever recorded by Muslimgauze. Given that Bryn Jones' entire musical career concerned such indignation in one way or another, that's saying something, but here his cause isn't limited to the blunt design of the release, featuring news clippings about the tragedy. Mixing a number of samples from interviews in response to the killings, the song has a shrill edge to it, thanks to the chillingly sharp main keyboard synth line set against soft but persistent percussion beats, with a low bass rumble further propelling the track. Simple in comparison to his other works, it still retains a sharp musical and lyrical power with enough alien beauty to make it worth repeated listens.
review by: Ned Raggett
All Music Guide
The following appears on Amazon.com.
Amazingly powerful.
Wow - this CD takes you for a ride. Hebron Massacre has one long track, mostly in the ambient/with beats style. The atmosphere is very dark (as is the subject matter). There are a number of vocal samples making me wish I understood Arabic. If you can find a copy, definitely pick it up. Fantastic.
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