Flip​-​Book Oscilloscope - Flip​-​Book Oscilloscope

​Flip​-​Book Oscilloscope

​Flip​-​Book Oscilloscope
self-released; 2017

​3.6 out of 5

By Dom Eagle

Flip-Book Oscilloscope is an instrumental post-rock/art-rock band based out of the Lehigh Valley, PA. They’re comprised of Bruce Klipple (guitarist), Brock Fenstermaker (bassist) and Kevin Werkheiser (drummer). This self-titled EP Flip-Book Oscilloscope is their first release and it’s definitely an impressive one. The band has existed for close to three years, and they’ve got a lot to show for it. At this point in time, their live performances have mainly been based in their local area, but they’re definitely keen on spreading their wings and playing in new locations in the future.

The EP opens with “We Caught You Sleeping.”  A twisted and haunting title for a twisted and haunting piece. It isn’t often that I’m so captivated by instrumental music, but this opener creates such a brooding and dark atmosphere that it’s hard not to feel enchanted by its infectious energy. The slowly throbbing drums and building guitars lead to an explosive climax of heavily distorted, grungy, chaotic and incredible guitar madness. There’s a melody behind this smokescreen of electrifying chaos, but I like the way it’s packaged. It’s haunting, but emotive at the same time. I could imagine Flip-Book Oscilloscope creating soundtracks for apocalyptic films with an ominous sound such as this.

Continuing the theme of sleeping, the second track is called “My Tinnitus Puts Me To Sleep” and it’s just as electrifying as the opener. While the darkness and crushing guitar-drum combination is still there, there’s something a little more uplifting about this track. Perhaps uplifting is the wrong word… What I mean is that, if this were the soundtrack to a movie, it’d probably be a more action-based affair than something which slipped into the more horrifying depths of the opener.

​I think it’s worth noting that the bass rhythm adds a really nice touch to this track too; it keeps the whole thing moving melodically. It turns chaos into controlled chaos. Everything here feels planned; it doesn’t sound like three guys jamming in a garage. There wasn’t as much variety in the second track as the opener, admittedly, and I think it’s important that Flip-Book Oscilloscope remember to keep things fresh within the confines of an individual song. Without vocals, people want more instrumental variety to sink their teeth into.

“Echodrift” opens with the most clarity and definition of any track so far. A catchy bass riff leads the listener into the track, along with gently crashing drums and sliding, clean electric guitar. There are dark qualities to this track, but it’s definitely a far more serene and tempered experience than the first two songs on the EP. I liked this switch-up. It adds some variety and depth to Flip-Book Oscilloscope’s sound. They play around with a loud-quiet dynamic on this track rather than playing at 100% from start to finish (both styles work in their own ways, of course). I liked the heavier riffs and explosive drums which emerge later into the track, but these are all the more powerful because of the softer build-up.

This is definitely a great listen. If you like experimental guitars that verge on being ambient while still having a raw, metallic sound then you’ll like this instrumental piece. I hope these three guys go places in the future.

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