Created in 2009, Rhona is the ambient industrial project of Bret Calder, former bass player of I, Parasite, Android Lust, and Father Divine.
Rhona is a freeform outlet that uses only palm sized synths, guitars, basses, and homemade instruments. All the sounds and instruments are recorded and manipulated live during the tracking process, not after the fact, which gives it a more organic sound.
"Passages..." is the first full length release. It consists of 6 album tracks and 2 bonus tracks with a full album download.
There is a lot of experimentation in subsonic frequencies and stereo spread. Listening on headphones or large speakers is recommended.
Review:
Long known as the bassist for Android Lust, Bret Calder takes a decidedly different turn into the world of noisescapes and experimental electronics with his new project Rhona. Rhona's debut 'Passages...' cites influences ranging from Throbbing Gristle to Lustmord, and while the steely cold of the droning, opening track 'A Life At Rest' sets the stage, Calder's range and invention within Rhona's sparse, evocative tracks shows an artist with definite purpose. Tracks such as the Suicide-esque 'You Say...' mixes emotive, layered vocals with a raw, punky bassline, and the haunting, damaged beauty of 'On The Bank' cannot be denied.
While some artists rest their laurels on repeating their past successes, Calder's Rhona demonstrates an artist willing to leap off the cliff creatively, and it was a risk well worth the effort.
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