Rob’s Album Of The Week: Tomahawk’s Tonic Immobility

Tomahawk is an excellent example of when a supergroup gets it right. Consisting of vocalist and keyboardist Mike Patton from Faith No More & Mr. Bungle, guitarist Duane Denison from The Jesus Lizard, Mr. Bungle bassist Trevor Dunn and drummer John Stanier from Helmet & Battles, this band gives the term “experimental” a whole new meaning. Sonically they’re all over the place with complex structures while thunderous amplification holds it all together. Their fifth album, Tonic Immobility, that’s due out on March 26 via Patton’s label Ipecac Recordings is a continuation of this musical madness that somehow finds some sanity. It’s also the band’s first album in eight years while showing no rust and no lacking in quality whatsoever.

I know I rarely include quotes from the act I’m writing about in this review column, but here is one for the purposes of switching it up and a giving better description than I ever could properly deliver: “Tonic Immobility is almost a summary of everything we’ve done,” states Denison via the press release. “There are references to previous things spread throughout the album as well as new territory. On any of our albums, you’ll find those faster, high energy, abrasive, and dissonant songs. You’ll also find the slower, atmospheric, groove- and tension-based moments too. There’s always been a touch of, dare I say, Latin music in the…