With the release of the huge (yet interestingly incomplete?) boxset on Hospital Productions, I was hoping to learn more about the project. However, searching for interviews with Brownstead have essentially been unsuccessful---setting aside one blog with a quote from him discussing the origin of the scorpion logo.
Overall, I liked the boxset a lot! Consistent and largely solid American-style harsh noise, with occasional forays into other experimental styles. On a few of the CDs, though, I felt that some of the more interesting dynamics only appeared at the end of the compositions? That complaint might disappear after a few more re-listens, though.
Thoughts on this project as a whole? Particular releases? And, of course, any place to find interviews with him?
And yes, I do know of the Noisextra video!
https://www.patreon.com/posts/666-volt-battery-113201777
Very nice box. I'll just lazily copy-paste my comment from the Best of 2024 thread:
The 666 Volt Battery Noise - Unblind Discipline Power Annihilate Survive. Good noise, especially Slaughter Prod/Mother Savage/Pure stuff, but I wouldn't say it's mandatory. It's also very expensive item and in the current day economic situation, maybe not the first release to get. But judging by the quality of the release: sturdy cardboard, high quality images, huge poster (that no-one is going to hang on the wall), hardcover book with lots of images and poetry, and the overall cultural preservation work of unearthing this from obscurity, makes it one of the top releases of 2024.
Quote from: Manhog_84 on January 25, 2025, 11:11:21 AMVery nice box. I'll just lazily copy-paste my comment from the Best of 2024 thread:
The 666 Volt Battery Noise - Unblind Discipline Power Annihilate Survive. Good noise, especially Slaughter Prod/Mother Savage/Pure stuff, but I wouldn't say it's mandatory. It's also very expensive item and in the current day economic situation, maybe not the first release to get. But judging by the quality of the release: sturdy cardboard, high quality images, huge poster (that no-one is going to hang on the wall), hardcover book with lots of images and poetry, and the overall cultural preservation work of unearthing this from obscurity, makes it one of the top releases of 2024.
And a temporary tattoo!
To help complete the box set, I ordered a copy of the Pure disc (Auido Super-Predator). I was wondering why the set was not complete, but I assume it's simply because RRR was still stocking this one? Anyway, the Pure disc is some of the best material I have heard so far from the project. Whereas several other albums tended to cut the more dynamic/interesting parts just a little too short (though they are still good!), this one had the right balance. For $3 you can't go wrong picking it up!
I've been musing about this box for a while.
Admittedly, this Artist has not been on my radar...ever. (I know. Just shoot me. I have learned so much (and spent so much!) since discovering this forum and Scream+Writhe forum.)
Please forgive me if these questions sound lazy. I really have tried some research.
This box purports to be "the complete cassette works of 666 volt battery noise." So, what is "incomplete" about it?
Why is this not "mandatory" if this Artist is important to you (and if $$$ is not a barrier)? 😂
I'm discovering the works - playing a few tracks. As mentioned, it is very difficult to find anything about this Artist.
I notice that Mr Prurient played a major role in this release.
I'm going to watch this unboxing video now...
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on January 20, 2025, 05:48:03 AMAnd yes, I do know of the Noisextra video!
https://www.patreon.com/posts/666-volt-battery-113201777
Something that has always fascinated me....
Noiseheads are generally happy / cute / wonderful / intelligent people. (But many think we must be satanic porno weirdass freaks.)
Anyway - fuckit: This epic box is mine. 😂
I will utilize this thread to state my reactions.
Quote from: Minus1 on February 23, 2025, 05:33:54 AMI've been musing about this box for a while.
Admittedly, this Artist has not been on my radar...ever. (I know. Just shoot me. I have learned so much (and spent so much!) since discovering this forum and Scream+Writhe forum.)
Please forgive me if these questions sound lazy. I really have tried some research.
This box purports to be "the complete cassette works of 666 volt battery noise." So, what is "incomplete" about it?
Why is this not "mandatory" if this Artist is important to you (and if $$$ is not a barrier)? 😂
I'm discovering the works - playing a few tracks. As mentioned, it is very difficult to find anything about this Artist.
I notice that Mr Prurient played a major role in this release.
I'm going to watch this unboxing video now...
As far as I can tell, the box does not contain the Pure CD or the
Birth Control ep---though I might just be missing something obvious?
Going off of the included book and his essential non-presence on the current-day Internet, it seems he was essentially forgotten until the guy from Rogue State bought won an auction for all of the included material and a few poetry books (which are reprinted in the book from the box). Rogue State then got Hospital to release it!
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on February 23, 2025, 06:57:54 AMQuote from: Minus1 on February 23, 2025, 05:33:54 AMThis box purports to be "the complete cassette works of 666 volt battery noise." So, what is "incomplete" about it?
As far as I can tell, the box does not contain the Pure CD or the Birth Control ep---though I might just be missing something obvious?
Ah! Perhaps (with the help of discogs) those 2 items were never released on tape!?
(I didn't Buy Now yet. I'm trying to understand the 2 different mixes of 6v6b6n.)
Quote from: Minus1 on February 23, 2025, 04:59:08 PMQuote from: Balor/SS1535 on February 23, 2025, 06:57:54 AMQuote from: Minus1 on February 23, 2025, 05:33:54 AMThis box purports to be "the complete cassette works of 666 volt battery noise." So, what is "incomplete" about it?
As far as I can tell, the box does not contain the Pure CD or the Birth Control ep---though I might just be missing something obvious?
Ah! Perhaps (with the help of discogs) those 2 items were never released on tape!?
(I didn't Buy Now yet. I'm trying to understand the 2 different mixes of 6v6b6n.)
Ah! I missed that it was the "complete tapes"!
Both mixes of 6v6b6n sound very different too, from my memory of listening through the box.
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on February 23, 2025, 07:59:48 PMQuote from: Minus1 on February 23, 2025, 04:59:08 PMQuote from: Balor/SS1535 on February 23, 2025, 06:57:54 AMQuote from: Minus1 on February 23, 2025, 05:33:54 AMThis box purports to be "the complete cassette works of 666 volt battery noise." So, what is "incomplete" about it?
As far as I can tell, the box does not contain the Pure CD or the Birth Control ep---though I might just be missing something obvious?
Ah! Perhaps (with the help of discogs) those 2 items were never released on tape!?
(I didn't Buy Now yet. I'm trying to understand the 2 different mixes of 6v6b6n.)
Ah! I missed that it was the "complete tapes"!
Both mixes of 6v6b6n sound very different too, from my memory of listening through the box.
Thanks.
(Well, I pressed Buy Now. This place is dangerous.)
Quote from: Minus1 on February 23, 2025, 05:33:54 AMWhy is this not "mandatory" if this Artist is important to you (and if $$$ is not a barrier)? 😂
In times of constant stream of interesting releases, and recent reissues of artists that most are not familiar with, one might have to choose where to invest. If pondering between this and e.g. David Gilden box, I would go for the latter.
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on February 23, 2025, 06:57:54 AMhis essential non-presence on the current-day Internet
death tends to keep people off social media
the box was uploaded to youtube for those wanting to preview
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC87HXinzHOfntC4fG7trCnw
Death. Lol.
Quote from: Manhog_84 on February 24, 2025, 07:12:13 PMQuote from: Minus1 on February 23, 2025, 05:33:54 AMWhy is this not "mandatory" if this Artist is important to you (and if $$$ is not a barrier)? 😂
In times of constant stream of interesting releases, and recent reissues of artists that most are not familiar with, one might have to choose where to invest. If pondering between this and e.g. David Gilden box, I would go for the latter.
Ok. I thought you were talking "not mandatory" in terms of fan / artistic points of view, vice economics.
Quote from: FiEND on February 24, 2025, 08:18:00 PMQuote from: Balor/SS1535 on February 23, 2025, 06:57:54 AMhis essential non-presence on the current-day Internet
death tends to keep people off social media
the box was uploaded to youtube for those wanting to preview
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC87HXinzHOfntC4fG7trCnw
Well yes, but I was more referring to the lack of discussion about his work.
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on February 25, 2025, 02:39:46 AMQuote from: FiEND on February 24, 2025, 08:18:00 PMQuote from: Balor/SS1535 on February 23, 2025, 06:57:54 AMhis essential non-presence on the current-day Internet
death tends to keep people off social media
the box was uploaded to youtube for those wanting to preview
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC87HXinzHOfntC4fG7trCnw
Well yes, but I was more referring to the lack of discussion about his work.
That's where we (and this thread) come in!
Warning: When this box arrives at my home, I will drone on and on in this very thread as I devour each (very generous! - average 68min? - I fucking love CDs that are packed to the tits!) CD. As I stated above, this guy is completely new to
me.
Quote from: Minus1 on February 25, 2025, 03:15:38 AMQuote from: Balor/SS1535 on February 25, 2025, 02:39:46 AMQuote from: FiEND on February 24, 2025, 08:18:00 PMQuote from: Balor/SS1535 on February 23, 2025, 06:57:54 AMhis essential non-presence on the current-day Internet
death tends to keep people off social media
the box was uploaded to youtube for those wanting to preview
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC87HXinzHOfntC4fG7trCnw
Well yes, but I was more referring to the lack of discussion about his work.
That's where we (and this thread) come in!
Warning: When this box arrives at my home, I will drone on and on in this very thread as I devour each (very generous! - average 68min? - I fucking love CDs that are packed to the tits!) CD. As I stated above, this guy is completely new to
me.
Exactly! And yes!
I like Exercises in Negative Energy. It's abrasive but flows well enough that it's easy to listen to.
Well, as I type, CD2 blasts forth.
I'm terrible with any kind of technical review. I just try to convey my general reactions.
And my current reaction is: Fuuuuuck! This is deep, powerful shit!! 😂
CD1 last night acted as a sort of warmup for this. Maybe I was in the wrong mood. Maybe the volume wasn't right.
Once I get further along I will be able to make slightly more coherent statements. But I'm already thrilled with this box. My fav Noise leaves me breathless and shaking. Many Noisicians try and fail to make good Noise. But some have a magic touch, a sixth sense of how things should flow, layer and progress.
This guy gets it!!
Well, I finished my initial run-through of this boxset. Bottom line: I love two-thirds of the CDs, and the other third (specifically CDs 6,7,8) will...erm...take some time. I admire Brownstead for switching things up on those CDs. There's a lot of variety, ups/downs, twists/turns there. I may end up adoring it all.
CD9 was a blast. A "return to form" if you will. I love how it all ends with "It says Noise on the program, not music." Surreal. (But why just an excerpt of this live VHS?) Some crowd reactions have me wondering if he showed up at a C+W bar. 😂