Written by Charles Frank
Architecture Aviva has a peculiar, cool, and immediately intriguing sound. The trio out of Indianapolis, Indiana offers eight pieces on their late 2016 release entitled Göbekli Tepe that are progressively far out. Shredding solos over methodic rhythm comprise most of this album. Let’s dive in:
The record opens with “Sikh Priest,” in which a ripping guitar solo takes the driver’s seat right out of the gate. Within 10 seconds of listening, it should be clear that these guys can flat out play. The initial solo meets its’ counterparts in a weaving two minutes of hypnotic jam before the bass takes listeners down a dark hallway complimented with cymbal overtones. “Subtle Energy” follows in the rotation and sees a prolific drum beat drive a more textured, carved out guitar pocket through several rhythm sections of nodding groove. The quiet rainy intro of “Obelisk” is next, which opens into a hard rock explosion with rapid riffs coming off of the axe. This song takes listeners deep, almost meditatively into crescendo before the opening chords of “The Late Emperor” begin. The power trio burst again into solo laden peaks before dancing on their notes lightly and methodically by the song’s end. “Glass Monolith” finds a punkish, distorted guitar echo march itself through three minutes of calculated drum and bass pattern. The technical precision of the tune is emphatic. “H.F.” is the shortest cut on Göbekli Tepe, but packs an ascending punch of pitch. The sound mounts on itself through crashes and strums, before a single bass chord signals exit. “Tremblem is another impressive demonstration of the group’s ability to generate large sound. It crosses a metal bridge and bounces into a warm pop drum and bass exchange with light fragments of rhythm licks. The ultimate ditty on the album is the self-titled “Göbekli Tepe,” which is four minutes of a dance break, bookended between two minutes of more hypnotic conquest. The drums roll like waves over atmospheric post rock strings.
The instrumental, Indianapolis three piece took me away with their tactical prog-rock on Göbekli Tepe. Their sound from way out is a snapshot of fresh Euro-trance metronome, laced with solo madness. Listeners who are students of mathematical rhythm should spend an afternoon listening to Architecture Aviva, who can be found on Facebook and on Bandcamp, where more information and live dates are available. Until next time, ether on!
