This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
There are plenty of so-called extreme bands out there. But few that go to more extremes than Scottish sonic adventurers Aereogramme do on their potent and unpredictable sophomore album Sleep and Release.
Over the course of a mere 10 tracks that span 50 minutes, this high-powered, high-IQ foursome deliver a boldly original hybrid of sounds and styles. They erect grand ice cathedrals like Sigur Ros. They shift into interstellar overdrive like Mogwai. They trip out on billowing lysergic clouds like The Flaming Lips. They mix orchestral manouevres and musique concrete-style tapes like Godspeed You Black Emperor! They flail away in guitar-sludge tar pits next to Black Sabbath. They twiddle knobs and get all creepy like Trent Reznor or Roger Waters. They shred their tonsils like a death-metal band. Then they move on to a second song. OK, maybe they’re not quite that adventurous. But they aren’t far off. If you can appreciate an album that’s alternately beautiful and terrifying, you’ll find Sleep and Release extremely satisfying.
