Mourning Guests Who Never Arrived

Album Review

Mourning Guests Who Never Arrived is a dramatic CD from Scott Kungha Drengsen. Kevin Keller mastered the disc for Drengsen's own Secret Sky Records label. This CD, Drengsen's second, is a smooth progression from his debut, Basscapes. He has added synths and wordless vocals to the repertoire. The wordless chants by Noor are effective sound-design elements. But the bass, loops, effects, and techniques are the strengths upon which Drengsen hangs his rep. He uses the natural sonic effects of the bass as drones and builds his atmospheres from them. He loops and processes six-string and fretless basses in real time. The technique begets metallic soundscapes with organic textures. That oxymoronic conundrum is the nature of these warped constructions. There are very few artists creating in this style. This disc will appeal to fans of Bill Laswell, Jim Fink, and Scott Petito.