Dark Consort: A Dive into Cedric Victor and Jarboe’s Avant-Garde Rock Odyssey
Let’s get real for a sec—how often do you stumble across an album that feels like it crawled straight outta some shadowy fever dream? Dark Consort, the brainchild of Cedric Victor with Jarboe (yeah, that Jarboe), is one of those rare finds. Released in 2008 under the Not On Label banner, this avant-garde rock beast doesn’t just sit there; it writhes, growls, and occasionally whispers sweet nothings into your ear. It’s messy, raw, and kinda perfect.
First off, let’s talk about "Summoning Tigers In Dark Eden." If I had to pick my favorite track—and don’t make me choose, but fine—it’d be this one. The title alone sounds like something outta a cursed fantasy novel, right? But what really sticks with me is how the song builds. It starts slow, almost hesitant, like someone tiptoeing through foggy woods at midnight. Then BAM! Outta nowhere comes this wall of sound—twisted guitars, haunting vocals from Jarboe, and percussion that hits harder than life itself sometimes does. You’re not just listening to music here; you’re being summoned into another world. And yeah, maybe tigers aren’t literally prowling around, but by the end of the track, you’ll feel like they could be.
Another standout has gotta be "Kali Lamentation VI." Now, full disclosure, there are multiple “Kali Lamentations” on this record, so if you’re thinking, “Wait, which one?” trust me, you won’t forget THIS version. It’s got this eerie, ritualistic vibe going on—like you’ve accidentally walked into some ancient ceremony where everyone speaks in riddles. The layers in the arrangement are wild too. There’s this heartbeat-like rhythm pulsing underneath everything, while these dissonant tones swirl above like smoke signals from another dimension. Honestly, it made me wanna light incense or stare blankly at a candle flame for hours. Which I may or may not have done after hitting repeat five times in a row.
What makes Dark Consort special isn’t just its weirdness—it’s how personal it feels. Every credit on this thing points back to Cedric Victor, who wrote, arranged, produced, AND even handled the cover art. Talk about wearing all the hats! Specialprojects for Discreetcases gets props for the artwork, though, and man, it fits. The visuals match the music perfectly: dark, mysterious, and slightly unsettling. Like, if this album were a person, it would wear black leather gloves indoors without explaining why.
By the time you hit the last track, "See Emptiness Directly," you might find yourself wondering if you’ve been meditating or losing your mind. Or both. That’s the magic of Dark Consort. It’s not background noise—it demands your attention, your soul, maybe even your lunch money.
So, final thoughts? This album reminds me of when you clean out your attic and discover something strange hidden away—a box of old letters, a creepy doll, or… whatever Kali lamentations actually are. It’s uncomfortable, beautiful, and impossible to ignore. Oh, and fun fact: playing this loud late at night will probably scare your cat. Worth it? Absolutely.
