Coil: The Ape Of Naples Vinyl 2LP

Final album from experimental industrial godfathers Coil, originally released in 2005. The Ape Of Naples was arranged by founding member Peter Christopherson (ex-Throbbing Gristle / Psychic TV / Hipgnosis), culling and reworking material from various projects initiated over the course of the previous decade. Christopherson casts a wide berth in the range of material, from the ethno-occultism of opener “Fire Of The Mind” to the electronic gamelan minimalism of “The last Amethyst Deceiver” and 128kbps spaghetti jazz of “Tattooed Man,” and those are just the first three tracks. It’s somewhat of an epitaph for Coil co-founder Jhonn Balance, who tragically passed away from an accident in his home the previous year, and his macabre lyrics take on new meaning in this new context. It’s possibly the most straightforward music Coil ever released, with sparse, unobscured arrangements (possibly influenced by Steve Reich?), discernible rhythms, with many tracks coming close to resembling some perversion of a standard verse / chorus song structure. Other highlights include “Cold Cell,” “Amber Rain,” “Teenage Lightning 2005” the cinematic “Triple Sun” and the John T. Gast-esque “I Don’t Get It.” A fitting endcap to one of the most innovative and influential groups of the 20th and 21st centuries alike. Black 2LP pressing with custom etching on the D-side, recommended. 

• black double vinyl pressing
• custom etching on side D
• re-cut from the original master
• housed in gatefold jacket w/ printed inner sleeves
• original release year: 2005
• music label: Important Records 2023

reviewed by tom violence 12/2018