In Music We Trust - Sublimatus: Evidence

Sublimatus
Evidence (Sublimatus)
By: Nick Mlatchkov

This Hamilton, Ontario band has outlived many outfits in its 15 years of existence, including Nirvana. Yet they're still deeply in the underground, even in Canada. Evidence is a compilation representing all of their works. It begins with 3 cuts recorded at Studio 33 in Hamilton, in 2003, with producer Walter G. Peter, a long time collaborator. "Your Touch" is a sensitive trippy composition, illuminating a girl's naughtiness, enriched with Zina Hagerty's vocals. "Under Attack" is in the same mould, slowly building up an obsessive beat enlightened by Zena's whispering.

The next 2 tracks, "It's Just a Game" and "Wind Play", are from "Magic; Will the Key", released in 2000, more ambient, even exploring drum'n'bass territory, the latter being more reciting. "Desire = Fear", relesed in 1998, explored the darkest psychological alleys of human soul. "Majik Will Find Me" mixes up Floyd-esque rhythms with drum'n'bass while "Mind Has Been" brings up Kraftwerk-ian flashes enhanced with valuable lines - 'frustration's getting me down'.

The last two pieces are from their debut 1990 record Whores of Babylon. "Burning the Fire" sounds more like U 2 circa "The Unforgettable Fire" than anything else I've heard. "White Death" resonates with a Crimsonesque perspective even using an oboe. Unfortunately, the album doesn't contain lyrics which would've been quite useful.