



I imagine that these are the words of a crew that eventually rescue Pandora, who had fallen down a well. She thanks everyone by opening her box, and all evil pours out into the world. Why did she do it? Godspeed You! Black Emperor only knows.





Mladic is War of the Worlds music. It is a slow-building, intensely burning, slice of sonic mayhem. Initially, bass and violins and tape loops join together for a bedrock layer. Guitar comes in, along with droning tones, points of high-pitched slide guitars, various modulated sounds. It is a spellbinding ascension.





A first plateau is achieved around 4:00. Shakers and vibrations. Low hums. Is an army approaching?The volume builds again, and by 5:30 I think we should take cover. Whoa, this is some terrifying music. At 6:40, a lone guitar soldier bashes down the door and sweeps the room. We are only 1/3 of the way through the recording.





Drums are in our face at 7:00, at 7:23 they have set up a command post. Rockets red glare, thunder and lightning. It's an all-out assault on our eardrums!





8:50 is the moment of truth. Fight or flight...(I fled to the safety of my blanket on the sofa minutes ago). A fire-breathing dragon howls down upon us, burning everything in sight. Make it stop!





New tactics and weaponry are brought in after 11:00. The drums continue relentlessly. The tempo downshifts at 12:41, we are 2/3 of the way through.





Make way for the Black Emperor. You are defeated. Everyone bows down at 14:21. We surrender.





14:49! Holy ---! Buildings are pounded into dust. We stand by and await our destiny, there is no end in sight. Finally, at 18:45 we receive the first orders from the conquering worms. "You will be allowed to set up a market, where you may sell your wares, such as pots and tin cups." Thank you, oh glorious rulers!































































