Neil Campbell's unique Astral Social Club return to VHF after a couple of years in the underground wilderness with the squelching, restless ambience of Octuplex. The CD is split roughly in half between Harmonia/Voigt-style chuggers and sweeping swirls of instantly recognizable dronage, familiar from Neil's extensive contributions to Vibracathedral Orchestra, Sunroof! and others. Neil's interest in "techno" comes out on "Caustic Roe" and "Muscle Adductor," neatly compiling the influence of recent minimal jam innovations with piles of synth and effects noise, lending the beat-driven tracks a rough, unfussy style. Other cuts like "Mügik Churn" and "Pilgrim Sunburst" swell with twittering electric birdsong and synthetic rain, the trademark sound of many Astral titles. Octuplex is full up with collaborator cameos, including the familiar (Richard Youngs, John Clyde-Evans), and the novel (Spider Stacy - from the Pogues!). In eye-burning blue n' red digipak.

Recorded 2006-2008 by Neil Campbell
with
Philip Smith - loops on 1
John Clyde-Evans - beats on 2 + 3
Stewart Keith - casios on 4 + 6
Magnus Campbell - songs on 4
Spencer Grady - strings on 4
Richard Youngs - tones on 5
Spider Stacy - reeds on 5 + 6
Procrane Split - effects on 7 + 8