Branca - Symphony Nos 8 10 The Mysteries

amandafinley

Review by Amanda Finley

Symphony Nos 8 & 10: The Mysteries – A Wild Ride Through Branca’s Sonic Jungle Let me just say this upfront: Glenn Branca's Symphony Nos 8 & 10: The Mysteries isn’t for everyone. It’s messy, it’s loud, and at times it feels like your brain is being rewired by some avant-garde alien species. But damn if it doesn’t stick with you. Released back in ‘94 (yeah, that long ago), this album straddles rock, classical, experimental, contemporary, and whatever-the-hell-you-want-to-call-it genres so effortlessly that it almost feels unfair to other musicians. Almost. First off, let’s talk about the people behind this sonic beast. You’ve got Dave Reid shredding on bass and guitar like he owns the place, Miriam McDonough pulling triple duty as conductor, bassist, and keyboard wizard, and Virgil Moorefield hammering away on drums while also arranging everything into something resembling order—though “order” might be stretching it here. The whole thing was recorded and mixed by Steve McAllister, who somehow kept all these chaotic pieces from flying apart completely. Hats off to him because lord knows I wouldn’t have been able to do it. Now onto the tracks themselves. There are six of them, but two really stood out to me—and not always in a good way. Let’s start with "Second Movement (Spiritual Anarchy)." This track hits you like a freight train made of broken glass and electric guitars. At first listen, it sounds like someone accidentally dropped a symphony orchestra into an industrial metal concert. But then, around the three-minute mark, something clicks. Maybe it’s the way the dissonance resolves—or maybe it doesn’t resolve at all, but instead drags you deeper into its weird little world. By the end, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to scream or cry or both. And honestly? That’s kind of amazing. Then there’s "Symphony No. 10 (The Mystery Pt. 2)". If Spiritual Anarchy felt like chaos held together by sheer willpower, this one feels like... well, like actual mystery. It starts slow, almost meditative, with these haunting keyboard notes that feel like they’re coming from another dimension. Then BAM—outta nowhere, the drums kick in, and suddenly you’re running through a forest at midnight, chased by shadows you can’t quite see. Or maybe that’s just how my brain works when I’m listening to this stuff. Either way, it’s unforgettable. Not necessarily “pleasant,” mind you, but unforgettable. What sticks with me most about this album isn’t any one moment—it’s the vibe. Listening to it feels like stepping into a dream where logic doesn’t apply, but emotion does. Sometimes it’s beautiful; sometimes it’s terrifying. Mostly, it’s just… intense. Like, "why am I sweating while sitting perfectly still?" intense. Here’s the kicker though: after listening to this album multiple times, I realized something. Most music tries to tell you what to feel. Sad? Here’s a ballad. Happy? Here’s a pop anthem. But Branca? He doesn’t care what you feel—he just wants you to feel. Loudly. Messily. Unapologetically. And honestly? That’s worth more than all the polished playlists in the world. Even if it gives me a headache sometimes.

Download Branca - Symphony Nos 8 10 The Mysteries
Artist: Branca
Album: Symphony Nos 8 10 The Mysteries
Rating: 3.5

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: branca-symphony-nos-8-10-the-mysteries.zip
  • MP3 size: 36 mb
  • FLAC size: 283.8 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Symphony No. 10 (The Mystery Pt. 2) 1994
First Movement (The Final Problem)13:17
Second Movement (The Horror)14:19
First Movement (The Passion)19:04
Second Movement (Spiritual Anarchy)19:03
Symphony No. 8 (The Mystery) 1992

Images

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Catalog Numbers

  • BFFP106CD
  • ALP012CD

Labels

  • Blast First
  • Atavistic

Listen online

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Formats

  • CD
  • Album
  • Limited Edition
  • Holographic Cover

Companies

RoleCompany
Recorded AtSorcerer Sound
Mixed AtSorcerer Sound
Copyright (c)Blast First
Phonographic Copyright (p)Blast First
Licensed FromBlast First
Glass Mastered AtNimbus

Credits

RoleCredit
Bass GuitarDave Reid
GuitarDave Reid
BassMiriam McDonough
KeyboardsMiriam McDonough
ConductorMiriam McDonough
DesignPMFroehle
DrumsVirgil Moorefield
Arranged ByVirgil Moorefield
EngineerPatrick Derivaz, Yubie Navas
Liner NotesTim Holmes
Photography ByEmily XYZ
Recorded BySteve McAllister
Mixed BySteve McAllister

Notes

  • Symphony No. 8 was commissioned by EXPO 92, Seville.
  • Symphony No. 10 was commissioned by SERIOUS SPEAKOUT, London.
  • Recorded and mixed at Sorcerer Sound Studios, NYC summer 1994.
  • Symphony No. 8, Second Movement, dedicated to Peter Lamborn Wilson.
  • ©&℗ 1994 Blast First.
  • Limited edition version in a jewel case with a holographic insert in front of the booklet cover. Otherwise identical to the regular version.
  • Under exclusive license from Blast First.
  • ©&℗ 1994 Blast First. © 1994 Atavistic.
  • Regular version in a jewel case with booklet. Also available with a limited edition holographic cover insert.

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout (CD Outer Ring): ALP12CD :MASTERED: •BY NIMBUS•

About Branca

baixar álbum Branca - Symphony Nos 8 10 The Mysterieslast ned album Branca - Symphony Nos 8 10 The MysteriesAlbum herunterladen Branca - Symphony Nos 8 10 The Mysterieslataa albumi Branca - Symphony Nos 8 10 The Mysteriestélécharger l'album Branca - Symphony Nos 8 10 The Mysteriesladda ner album Branca - Symphony Nos 8 10 The Mysteries
Glenn Branca (October 6, 1948, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA - d. May 13th, 2018) was an American composer who studied performing arts at Emerson College in Boston. After graduation, he formed two bands - Theoretical Girls in 1977 with Jeffrey Lohn, and later, The Static. In the eighties, his compositions for the Glenn Branca Ensemble included the several symphonies for which he was best known. Branca's compositions centered around multiple guitars - four or more, heavily amplified - augmented by a rock-based rhythm section of drums and bass. In later works, the composer began adding other instruments, including mallet guitar, keyboards, and occasionally a second drummer. Branca's minimalist compositions frequently required unusual guitar tunings.

Name Vars

  • Branca
  • Glen Branca

Interesting fact about Album

Here's an interesting fact about the album *Symphony Nos 8 & 10: The Mysteries* by Glenn Branca: It’s a wild mix of rock and classical music, blending experimental and avant-garde styles. Released in 1994, the album features two symphonies written two years apart—Symphony No. 8 from 1992 and Symphony No. 10 from 1994. What makes it even cooler? Miriam McDonough not only played bass and keyboards but also conducted the entire project. Talk about multitasking! The album was released in both the US and UK on labels like Atavistic and Blast First, with standout tracks like *First Movement (The Passion)* and *Symphony No. 10 (The Mystery Pt. 2)* showcasing Branca’s boundary-pushing vision. Truly a team effort, with contributions from talented artists like Dave Reid, Virgil Moorefield, and photographer Emily XYZ.