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HDU: Metamathics |
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It is now more than thirteen years since the HDU sound first reverberated from a drafty warehouse practice space in Dunedin. Their sound an abrasive wall-of-rock punctuated with the serene, expansive moments familiar to krautrock, electronica and film soundtracks.
Their debut EP, 1995’s Abstinence:Acrimony, was quickly followed by an album, Sum of the Few, in 1996. Over the next five years the “young Turks” of Flying Nun forged ahead, releasing three further EPs, including the Higher++ remix project; and another two breathtaking albums. The last, 2001’s Fireworks, was recorded at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago.
In the intervening years, singer Tristan Dingemans (Kahu) has released solo works and drummer Dino Karlis has played and recorded with Dimmer amongst others.Four years in the making and entirely recorded and produced by drummer Dino Karlis and Bevan Smith (AKA Signer, AKA Aspen), the group recorded much of the album in different parts of the world. In 2006 they found themselves starting again nearly from scratch after a hard drive died taking all the album mixes with it. In the true HDU tradition of constant creative evolution, the final result is quite a different album created from mostly the same material. It also features an outstanding cast of guest musicians such as Tom Watson (Cassette), Julia Deans (Fur Patrol), Lee Prebble and Celia Church.
On Metamathics, HDU have once again built an uncommon aural landscape on a solid foundation of damaged guitar riffs and breathtaking dynamics. From the cover art by Wellington’s extraordinary Martin Thompson to the stark beauty of album closer “Wish We Were Here” - where the breath of the players is still just audible – Metamathics’ secret lies in affording each element the proper level of care and distinction to create a mesmerizing whole.
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