1 Gravity Serpent 2 Burner 3 X-Plodo Sun Hat 4 Black Dawn 5 Chemical 6 Inch of Mercury 7 Half Doll Violet Star 8 Atomic Hand 9 Dream House 10 Assigned Frequency
The hypnotic world of Medusa Cyclone began in 1992, following the breakup of legendary Detroit psych/punk outfit ViV Akauldren. ViV keyboardist and Medusa Cyclone frontman, Keir McDonald, wanted to continue the space-rock approach that made ViV famous on both sides of the Atlantic. Medusa Cyclones first release was in 1992 on Manta Ray Fleet, a Detroit-based 7 label started by McDonald and Chris Girard. Although Manta Ray Fleet worked in small runs of about 200, the label enjoyed a strong following in the lofi underground of the early 1990s. Early fans included Stephen Malkmus and Mark Ibold of Pavement.
Eventually, a split single was released with the lo-fi legends in 1996-- Pavement Dancing with the Elders b/w Medusa Cyclone--Chemical. A self-titled CD--- Medusa Cyclone--soon followed to considerable critical acclaim. Standout tracks included: Chemical-a lethal sonic mix of Can, Faust and Wire, Dream House-a seductive narcotic from the same planet as Syd Barrett, and Helium Head, a sonic vortex leading to another dimension. Medusa Cyclones shows during this time could best be described as an echocharged sonic assault taking the audience to the world beyond beyond. Gigs included support dates for Pavement, Bardo Pond and Cul de Sac.
A second CD, Mr. Devil, was released in 1998. The album was a full dose of sonic madness and included The Smith Can the Devils spawn of trance rock, End Cloud an underwater dream on a 90 degree summer day and Invisible World a Japanese gamelan-influenced gem blurring the line between time and space. During this period, things were looking good. Mr. Devil was doing well in Finland and the UK, and had generated chart activity on CMJ. It was especially popular in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. But when NATO began its security action against the Milosovic regime, airplay stopped after a government takeover of the national public radio station.
Three years have passed since Mr. Devil and much has changed for Medusa Cyclone. Still, one thing that hasnt has been McDonalds need to dream another record. So he enlisted the help of legendary Detroit drummer, Mike Alonso-- Five Horse Johnson, Speedball, Bantam Rooster plus other Detroit luminaries: John Nash, The Alphabet, Volebeats, Matt Smiths Outrageous Cherry, Robert Wonnacotts RF Energy and McDonalds brother, Gavin. The result is nothing less than Medusa Cyclone's best record yet.
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