One of the best things about split LPs is that it can expose you to artists or bands that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. In this instance, for me the Dead C are the gateway band while Rangda are the unknown quantity with the Ba Da Bing curated release, Dead C vs Rangda, providing a perfect slice of experimental music and a thoughtful paring of two complimentary yet contrasting practitioners.
Performing and releasing their own brand of psychedelic and punk infused noise since 1986, the Dead C material found here is a trip through the vaults of tracks passed over for their 1989 sophomore release Eusa Kills. However , that is not to say these four tracks fall into the 'unreleased' cache of substandard material: instead they reach the Dead C's usual high water mark. The material on this side ranges from the stark Coltrane-esque phrases and repetitions of 'Tomorrow' to the more straight forward almost rocky (being a relative term) Eusa Kills. 'This Much We Know' is a stand out track of choked up sonic manipulations that sounds like Big Black's 'Gasoline' subjected to a heroic dose of hallucinogens.
Rangda are quite a different beast. Consisting of members of Sun City Girls, Comets on Fire and Sunburned Hand of Man, this trio produce a specific brand of instrumental rock. This side is divided into just two tracks: 'Gracalaria' and 'Sancticallist'. Both posses a rambling free-associative quality which somehow simultaneously provides both a sense of frantic busyness and calm reflectiveness. The first track is reminiscent of Dirty Three guitarist Mick Turner's solo work accompanied by an equal-tempered second guitarist underscored by sparse and tasteful drum interactions. 'Sancticallist' pursues a similar prey but with rancor and quickly produces passages of swirling free-form that still maintains a spacious expansiveness.
Where the Dead C can be harsh and oppressive, Rangda are open and spacious. The former's ascetic Lo-Fi is contrasted against the latter's full-range air. There is something symbolically poignant about the two sides of a record and this is a great example. But beyond such clinical analysis, this is just an excellent, intriguing and entertaining release.
