Despite the occasional references to previous
Lustmord material,
Lustmord Vs. Metal Beast is easily the most distinctive album of
Brian Williams' career. Recorded in June 1997 for broadcast over Orange County's KUCI-FM, the album presents
Williams in collaboration with
Shad T. Scott (aka Metal Beast), label-head of Isophlux Records. While several tracks retain the spacious noise for which
Williams is known, many of them, such as "Open Towers Emerge" and "Heart of a Dog," display fusions of dark ambience with the rhythmic chaos of Isophlux acts like
Scott himself and
Lexaunculpt. The balance between old guard ambient and new style techno makes for a great listen. Though longtime
Lustmord fans may have trouble getting into it,
Lustmord Vs. Metal Beast is a solid collaboration.