Trying to accurately predict Crowhurst’s next lineup is like trying to fuck a python with your wrists tied to your ankles–regardless of how well the current one works. One listen to II will almost surely leave you wondering why founder and sole continuous member Jay Gambit doesn’t break with personal tradition for once and hang on to fellow multi-instrumentalists Andrew Curtis-Brignell (Caïna) and Matron Thorn (Ævangelist) at least through one more numeral. Out August 30 on Broken Limb Recordings (CD) and Dullest Records (tape, vinyl and handling all orders), the follow-up to last year’s Crowhurst pretty much leaves Gambit’s five year-old brainchild coming off like L.A.’s answer to, say, Krallice or Altar of Plagues.
“Top to bottom this was a complete collaboration,” Gambit explains via Facebook chat. “Matron and I have known each other since we were kids, having gone to high school in the same town and the same goth shows at the same dingy skateparks. From the start, I knew that his guitar style would create the atmospheric undercurrent needed for the record and he delivered ten times over.
“Andy and I are really good friends and he was really into what I wanted to do for “II” and expressed interest in working with me on making the record. I’m a big fan of his and I know that we’d work well together just from the way we give each other feedback for our own material, and I was honored that he would be interested.
“I think there’s not ever going to be a set Crowhurst lineup. Andy and I will continue to work together as he’s one of my best friends and I have a lot of fun with him — but there’s always going to be a revolving cast of characters both live and in studio. The third in the trilogy is already being written and there are some new and familiar faces in that lineup, but I don’t think I’d want to do it with all the same people. I’m lucky enough to be able to play with so many different talented musicians. Why wouldn’t I?”
Let’s hope Gambit’s winning streak in HR continues. Meanwhile, get your ears dirty with a full stream of II below.
