X-Bax – Cymbals of Opression CD

Chord, the “power ambient” quintet from Chicago has made a name developing an evolving process rooted in the idea that their purpose is to use a self-limiting palate of musical tools (texture, dynamics) to provide an immersive experience. Their primary releases for labels such as Nuerot, Important, and Debacle have evolved quite a bit since these early demo recordings were originally released in 2006, but these early experiments document their blueprint well. Originally devised as a drone collective with live performances consisting with as many as 11 players, the core of the group eventually centered around four players (Kyle Benjamin, Phil Dole, Jason Hoffman, Trevor Shelley de Brauw), with Sean McCarthy becoming a fifth core member before the recording of the second album Progression in 2011.