Some albums make it all the way through each stage of the creative process and somehow manage to get onto wax despite the frustration of even the most open-minded listener. Big China & Little Trouble is the name that documents the horror-drone efforts of Mike Haley and Brent Eyestone. The two are clearly out for some kind of blood with this release; all of the packaging along with the sound effects are intended to imply darkness and mayhem. After several listens I’m not quite sure what the purpose of the release is, other than to take stabs at creating that mood.

The sounds themselves have an eerie resemblance to something you might hear over the loudspeakers at a Haunted Hay Ride or other well-intentioned Halloween event. Screeching drone grows and ebbs along with ambient creaks and scratches intended to create the desired spooky atmosphere. Black Blood of The Earth is brought to drone fans by Magic Bullet Records, most likely a familiar label to most instrumental music fans. The fact that Big China is the moniker of Magic Bullet’s administrative guru Brent Eyestone might explain the strained nature of the release. There’s an undeniable lack of explosive creativity at work, but it hides beneath what is clearly an intention to impress and scare. The release is all heart but unfortunately lacks substance - any but the most dedicated noise fans will likely tire of Black Blood... before the end of the second track. As hard as it is to discount the time and efforts of anyone trying to express something on vinyl, I’d recommend passing this up.

-Brendan Kraft