Forty minute drum battle, anyone? Fox Millions Duo unleash hell

Twice last year drummers Greg Fox (Liturgy/Guardian Alien) and Kid Millions (Oneida/People of the North) sat down in a Brooklyn studio to thrash out a pair of duos for this special LP-only release. And the results are impressive.

First they got angry. The 20-minute track "Telegy/Time Lapse" is pure energy, seeing both of the timekeepers unleash cyclical attacks leaving no surface of their skins uncovered. And as they hurtle towards oblivion, seemingly oblivious of each other’s presence, they become locked in a deep symbiosis of rhythm as the swap lines and echo each other’s runs. As an after-thought they add synthesizer loops and their own amplified heartbeats, which seem more of an unfortunate distraction than a necessary accompaniment.

Then they got reflective. This time the underlying drone of guitars, keyboard, and even trumpet work to support the meditative pace of the two kitmen. Again, it’s the interplay between Fox and Millions that is a joy to behold. Without the speed and fury, they are left quite exposed as they canter along for 20 more minutes using only the odd splash of cymbals and some cracked sticks to punctuate the dirge.

It would have been great to hear the Fox and Millions show without the extra instruments to let the drummers truly shine. Nevertheless, their fury on the A side and their ability to tread the line between hypnotic and sleepy on the flip side creates a joyous, technically astute performance that rewards a patient listener.