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Pedal Steel Virtuoso's Posthumous Metal Fusion
4 Mar
Summary
- Susan Alcorn's final album features her pedal steel guitar with a metal duo.
- The album, 'Contra Madre,' explores unconventional metal-adjacent sonic territories.
- Alcorn pushed the pedal steel's boundaries beyond country and jazz into new realms.
Susan Alcorn, a celebrated pedal steel guitarist, continues to influence music even after her passing in January 2025. Her final project, 'Contra Madre,' is a posthumous release documented during her collaboration with Nomad War Machine, a Philadelphia-based guitar-and-drums duo. This album marks Alcorn's significant exploration into metal-adjacent free improvisation.
Known for her avant-garde approach, Alcorn dedicated over 50 years to expanding the pedal steel guitar's vocabulary. She integrated its sound into various genres, including tango, jazz, and classical music, always connecting the instrument's evolution to its cultural contexts.
Nomad War Machine, comprised of guitarist James Reichard and drummer Julius Masri, shared Alcorn's passion for experimental music and a deep appreciation for traditional Western swing. Reichard's custom fretless guitars and Masri's diverse background, including work with the Sun Ra Arkestra, complemented Alcorn's innovative spirit.
The resulting album offers a bracing, gravity-defying sonic experience. Alcorn's pedal steel provides a grounding, yet shape-shifting presence against the duo's intense and detuned soundscapes. The interplay creates a powerful, emotive listening experience that pushes the boundaries of free improvisation.
