The Portland-based duo of Gabriel Mindel Saloman and Pete Swanson have been associated with Load Records for their two most recent full-lengths, but the band’s epic discography encompasses most imaginable formats on many of the best noise labels.  Their 70+ releases stand not only for their work ethic, but their heady approach to finely detailed, improvised drone.  Live, Saloman and Swanson rivaled the power of their recorded output, conjuring a rhythmic, transportive sound-mass from processed guitar and electronics, impressive for its finesse rather than its muscle.

In an email to Pitchfork, Swanson said that while there were no specific reasons for the split, the two will not be playing together again.  The band will be following through on previous commitments, releasing their ultimate studio album in 2009 and playing a handful of dates before ceasing to exist.  [Pitchfork]