15 Degrees Below Zero- Morphine Dawn

Artist: 15 Degrees Below Zero
CD Title: Morphine Dawn
Label: Crunchpod Media
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 10/17/04 

15 Degrees Below Zero have released their first “official” CD, a four-song EP full of gorgeously processed organic noise. “Is Anybody There?” squeaks and squeals gratingly, and “Sunshine” soothes with whispered, half-audible voices and echoes while snippets of orchestral music wend their way through the textured miasma. The best pieces, though, are those that involve recognizable guitars. “Downs, Part One” is great; with chords softly strummed over radio static and random snippets of found sound, it’s reminiscent of Nurse With Wound’s prettier moments. The intriguingly named “Waiting For Laraine” is also a standout track, beginning with deep feedback breaking coldly against the speakers like waves on a desolate beach, but then moving into quieter territory with loops of guitar playing against layers of ambient droning. The only problem with this EP is that there isn’t enough of it; after hearing these four songs, I’m already anxious for the full-length to come out.

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