Rough Music by Simon Kurt Unsworth

Spectral Press has certainly laid the groundwork for the proverbial "tough act to follow" with their first four limited chapbook releases, including offerings from Gary McMahon, Gary Fry, Cate Gardner and Paul Finch.  Each of these four have been diverse, extremely well-written examples of literary 'quiet horror.' 

The fifth in this substantial chapbook series is "Rough Music" by Simon Kurt Unsworth.  Here we are introduced to Cornish, a rather controlling chap who insists on having the upper hand in his life, whether it be with his wife, his mistress, his temperment, his sleep, even his bladder.  Imagine his utter disdain at being constantly awakened at night by--at first--a solitary marionette-ish pan-drummer with an enormous papier-mâché head outside his dwelling (in a grassy area called The Green), and then his increasing outrage at not being about to stop the racket.  As the sleepless nights mount, the sole drummer is joined by others, and the 'rough music'--as well as Cornish's unease and anger--increase exponentially.  Never mind that no one else seems to hear the unholy din or see the ersatz band. 

As with the first four Spectral offerings, the layout is excellent, easily readable, exceptionally edited.  The Neil Williams cover layout is interesting and certainly appropriate for the content.   And, as of this writing, this limited edition has already sold through.

Unsworth has a very good, approachable style and he builds tension slowly, cleverly and with razor-sharp purpose.  He also uses character development and detail well here, making the reader see him or herself in even a somewhat churlish character like Cornish.  The masked players never physically threaten Cornish, which somehow makes his plight even more terrifying.  While Cornish might deny it externally, guilt is one of the most powerful and unswerving motivators of human emotion.  The results can be devastating, life-altering.  The universality of this truth makes this story and it's denouement quite jarring--and all too real. 

Another wonderful addition to Spectral's impressive line-up.

Review by Walt Hicks