This Minneapolis band uses whatever found objects that make sense?power tools, saw, oil drums?to incorporate into their percussive infernal machine. Influenced by Japanese Taiko drumming?huge wooden drums that can?t be tuned and whose size is determined by the block of wood chosen, SAH manage to sound industrial and ceremonial at once.

The combination of wood and metal gives depth and power to the rhythms. It also provides an ancient quality to the tracks, as if timelessness is explored along with sound. Short sharp blasts like ?Rotation? and ?Cavity? set up themes that are explored more in depth in ?Dead Blow? and ?Fortnight in Londria.? ?Row? highlights the set with its pulsing, groovy high.

Rumor has it that the band has been willing to go to great lengths to find instruments, record field sounds, once even dangling off a mountain. The dedication shows. This is pounding, droning rhythm, but also very human and open. Savage Aural Hotbed can fill a stadium or a park with their big compassionate drive. 8/10 -- Mike Wood (27 December, 2006)