It's not hard to see why this project got the thumbs up from Tzadik boss and Secrets Of Secrets executive producer John Zorn. There's the fact that it's an interpretation of the Kabbalah (and even features musical codes derived from Jewish gematria numerology). There's the epic back story: it's based on a spiritual masterwork written by a 12th century rabbi trying to come to terms with the murder of his wife and children by marauding Crusaders. There are the musicians: among the guests joining San Francisco composer and clarinettist Aaron Novik are Fred Frith, Ben Goldberg and Carla Kihlstedt (of art rockers Sleepytime Gorilla Museum). And, of course, there's the music itself. Each tune is apparently based on an Ashkenazi dance rhythm but draws on everything from classical strings to the ferocious avant metal of Fantômas. Seriously unusual. Seriously heavy.