Nadir

This five-track EP is an early look at the duo Jucifer; it's a self-recorded cassette from 1994 that was handed around to promoters in hopes of securing gigs. The tapes have been transferred to digital, said to be mastered by the esteemed Scott Hull. No amount of post-production wizardry can fluff up a sound that appears to have been recorded on a boombox, but the sessions go beyond mere historical interest. Amber Valentine's nearly subliminal vocals lend a trippy, cool weirdness to “Hachimantro,” while a boost in sonic clarity adds a crunch to “Withering.” It’s then cut off and jammed into the Sabbath-like boil of “Crossless,” where Ed Livengood growls at his most satanic. “Glamourpuss” picks up with more lo-fi grumbling in whispers and lo-fi guitar riffs a bit overwhelmed by a drum set. The seeds of what Jucifer would become are all here. It’s not often pretty, but since when did Jucifer do anything for the sake of prettiness?