I’ve only been lucky enough to see Melbourne’s experimental outfit Zond play once at Flip Out in 2009. As amazing as the performance was, nothing will prepare you for the sheer terror that is their debut record. Sounding like it was recorded in a canyon on Mars, the group have created something of an apocalyptic masterwork in sound. Musical connections to modern noise groups like Sun O))), Boris, OM, and so forth are evident, but what is really comes down to is Zond aren’t in the same league; they aren’t even on the same planet.

Recorded by Jack Farley (Beaches, Panel of Judges) in late 2008, this is not just a highlight for the Australian underground, but a massive achievement in chaos, destruction and production. The only real way to listen to it, is with the best headphones money can buy, or the best sound system you can afford - this will enable you to feel the full assault that the band are capable of, opener "IO" appropriately sets the mood of a dead landscape, with winds howling and dust blowing – and then the drums kick in and they blow a shotgun blast of sound like the landscape just got illuminated. You might need a hearing aid, or even a new set of speakers after that happens, and keep in mind it doesn’t get anymore calmer from now onwards.

You can barely hear any of the vocals, which is clearly intended - think of My Bloody Valentine's Loveless, but with hatred rather than romance. It could actually be the soundtrack to the annihilation of your Valentine for that matter. The elevating guitar riffs of "Blue Haze" almost feels like one of those pitch tone tests, where you think its just about ready to ring to its limit and pop, it’s a fucking sludge fest to say the least, and an intriguing one at that. It’s easy to see why Zond were selected by Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed for the Vivid Festival this year, and of course it seems to work in their favour as they’re are one of the only bands of their kind in the country.

"Stupid Gods" could actually be worthy of a single; not that you can hear them, but the vocals actually sound somewhat melodic and, dare I say, catchy. You just want to turn it up even louder to get to know the song, but you’ll end up paying the price – and so might your whole neighbourhood. I always get curious about how noise bands like Zond practice in a rehearsal room, or even structure a song or jam. I guess some things are best left unknown an d mysterious, and when it comes to Zond and their debut record the mood throughout the entire record is definitely 'unknown' and 'mysterious'.

Review Score: 8.5/10

Out Now Through R.I.P Society Records