The duo known as PIVIXKI are a unique combination of two distinct talents: two hard-working veterans of the Melbourne (and indeed international) music scene, one still in his mid 20s, the other having just scraped the 30-year mark. Multi-instrumentalist, and keyboard player within the band, Anthony Pateras, has a CV big enough to fll three press releases. Working within the musical realms of modern composition, improvisation, electronics, avant-rock and noise, he's composed for major orchestras, played with a multitude of collaborators (including the likes of Oren Ambarchi, Christian Fennesz, Tony Buck, Han Bennink, Dave Brown and violin virtuoso Richard Tognetti), performed in everything from seedy dives to concert halls the world over, released his music on a multitude of labels (including two acclaimed CDs on John Zorn's Tzadik imprint) and is currently the composer-in-residence at the Australian National Academy of Music. Max Kohane, just 26, has been playing in bands since he was 12 and touring since he was 16. He turned 18 whilst on a three-month tour of Europe. He's infamous for his dynamic, intensely fast and technical drumming style and has earned a rep as perhaps the best skin-hitter in Australia's hardcore punk scene. He's played in the likes of Far Left Limit, George W. Bush, Terra Firma, Cut Sick, grind kings Agents of Abhorrence and crust-punkers ABC Weapons. The beauty of Pivixki lies in the clash of these two musical cultures, though the willing experimentation of Pateras and Kohane has seen ft that there is no clash at all. Pivixki's debut, Gravissima, recorded by US ex-patriate Casey Rice, sees an amazing melding of sensibilities. Nominally a piano/drums duo, the band expands their sound with percussive flourishes and the addition of organ and electronic keyboards into the mix. Some of the songs are short, fast and cut to the point; others organically develop over several minutes like soundtrack pieces, occasionally feeding through the creepy, picturesque qualities of Italy's horror-music legends Goblin, or the seething musical soundscapes of France's avant-prog troupe, Magma. Most of all, the album works as a cohesive piece of music, each track making a perfect segueway for the next. If you can imagine a perfect melting pot made up of the likes of Conlon Nancarrow, Iannis Xenakis, Cecil Taylor and the insane grind trio Discordance Axis, it might sound a little like Pivixki. Their unique instrumentation is never used as a mere gimmick or prop: it's simply a set-up which best suits their mode of expression. Read more:.