This is a wonderful recording. Fred Bergman and Mike Khoury (Siege Machine, Entropy Stereo Recordings) quite simply make flawless music together. Spontaneous music, whether loud or soft, requires an intuitive understanding of momentum... the right balance of dynamics and space. Without momentum, artists have little to build on and are left to blindly stumble on. While that may produce an interesting effect in a few cases, it usually leads to an uncomfortable (not in a good way) listening experience. Often, musicians playing in free-music gather that momentum by blasting and ripping their way through with fiery ferocity and velocity; but here on "Etudes in Violence", these guys are killing it and yet there's no real skronking or shrieking or blasting to speak of; instead there is fluid momentum from accomplished musicians who make incredible choices with each sound and layer they add. We're not talking about sleeping music here; I'm talking about unbelievably detail-oriented, complex, spontaneous compositions. Fred Bergman alternates between flute and saxophone and Mike Khoury plays violin. With each piece they are aided either by Curtis Glatter on percussion or Chris Riggs on guitar. Every sound fits perfectly together showing musicians who think with clarity and bring real vision to their work. It's truly amazing to listen to what's being accomplished here. Complete with beautiful handfolded packaging. Highly recommended! 9/10 -- Todd Brooks (15 October, 2008)