French electro-acoustic composer/guitarist Pinhas? (prime mover behind 70's legendary pre-Industrial band Heldon) latest work is a double CD of a wide sampling of his musical obsessions over 30 years of experimentation. These records touch on guitar improv, light techno and ambient minimalism, all of which are rich in ideas and are organized around the unifying theme of the Zohar, the prime text in Kabbalah, and Metatron, the face of God at its center . Also included is a DVD of live performances.

Alternating layers of sound meditative and rousing, Pinhas creates a spiritual tone, but one that demands action on the part of the listener. Insight comes at a price, the music seems to say. More interesting is the second disc, where resolution and insight are more satisfying than the rather pedestrian introduction, where, aside from ?Shaddai Blues? and ?Metatron/Shaddai/Chabbatai? help one move past the rather Genesis-like prog-rock beginning. The edgy plaintive electronics of ?Tikkun Part 2" gives way to the more earthy, rhythmic drive of ?Babylon Babies?, which features Pinhas? great raga guitar drone. The majestic, kinetic pulse of ?The Ari: Isaac Luria Song,? which features cameo audio from William S. Burroughs. Other disembodied/deceased voices such as Philip K. Dick appear on other tracks.

Aside from the rather bland opening, ?Metatron? progresses into a moving, sweeping epic that often touches the same sublime emotions as the text upon which it is based. This may be remembered as one of Pinhas? most sustained, majestic work. 9/10 -- Mike Wood (11 December, 2006)