There is topic called "canon of power electronics" (found here: http://www.special-interests.net/forum/index.php?topic=13.0 )
As sort of humorous response for it, someone started quite derailed "canon of noise" in old noisefanatics forum. It went on for handful of messages before drying completely. Why not give it a new try, but focus a bit on terms.
:CANON OF NOISE ALBUMS:
There was one other forum of other music, where people would be building list of bands & their albums, to create kind of canon of the music style. Not to be taken as biblical truth, but more like: In relation to literature, this term is half-seriously applied to those works generally accepted as the great ones. List in chronological order, as simple guide of the biggest influential milestones of the genre.
Not to be taking too seriously. More as fun to see the development & route of where genre started and were it has gone.
Any suggestion welcomed and list will be updated.
NOTE: To narrow down a vast genre that can be labeled as "noise", aim is to look for ALBUMS OF NOISE. Not singles, not random live tapes, not small edition rehearsal jams, etc. Noise recordings that qualify as proper album release.
Please, no suggestions based on who is your friend and who is cool & great dude. Please, try to consider what is simply good release, what is truly canonized in history of noise as we know it now. Many releases, no matter how great they are, have hardly place there. Also many artists who have churned out release after release for decade, may have status and following, yet have not presented tryly remarkable ALBUM that stands out.
Noise, in this context is meant the established genre of noise. I see no reason to start digging pre-history of contemporary art music or jazz or.. whatever. You know the drill.
What kind of releases should be included?
One or more qualifications:
1) Relevant overall, influencing whole genre and importance as some sort of landmark.
2) Releases with high status based merely on success, and therefore their obvious influence in getting into ears of big number of people.
3) Releases with exceptionally good/original/unusual contribution, to musical or cultural climate of noise, even if they may not be at their time or at the moment high "commercial" success.
4) Releases with high local relevance. Local not meaning "you and your buddies", but for example domestic scene of your country.
5) Damn good album that stands out from good artists discography.
.. more?
Purpose of the list?
To observe & investigate the development of the genre, it's highlights, exceptional releases. Basically landmarks of genre from 198? onwards. To observe something like this, can't be merely list of top-3 or evern top-10 noise releases and biggest bands. Every release doesn't have to be equivalent of harshness of Incapacitants in musical style, but still has to be noisy enough. There is needed to be releases that show where genre went after the first and biggest impacts. And also releases, what are not necessarily milestones of genre as whole, but some fraction of it.
Every good release isn't needed to be listed. Otherwise it'll be just endless huge catalog. If we are talking about "canon", it should be the greats of the genre, with the slightly loose grip (see the numbered basic guidelines above).
When making suggestions, some explanation why, IS required. Not all releases of every good band must be listed. We don't need to suggest 100 Merzbow releases, even if they'd be all good. But the absolute best of the albums of his.
How to measure what releases are influential is matter of discussion what follows here. Suggestions and debate is welcomed. Whole list is subject to change, if good enough "proof" is given. Don't be shy... Even if suggestion would not be included in list, at least we got to talk about good noise out there!
!!!! Due being pretty damn busy right now, lets put out very very work-in-progress topic already online... !!!!
1982
THE NEW BLOCKADERS "Changez Les Blockeurs " LP
Undisputed influence for great variety of later days noise heroes. From Hanatarash to Incapacitants and hordes of contemporary noise metal junk crushers.
1985
HIJOKAIDAN "King of Noise" LP
Even if Hijokaidan did many albums before, I'll choose this LP with the humble title!
1986
MERZBOW "Bats Tou Tai with memorial gadgets" 2xLP
While Merzbow must have made his name with several releases before, 1000 copies double LP monster on American label perhaps sealed the fate of upcoming popularity of japnoise. Phenomenal album, yet still not in the level of utmost HARSH punishment where he got few years later.
THE HATERS "In The Shade Of Fire" LP
His first phenomenal noise album that got re-issued with louder sound CD in 2009.
1987
MERZBOW "Ecobondage" LP
Merzbow works that show exceptional skills of composition but also always increasing edge of noisiness.
GUM "vinyl" LP
Australian turntable harsh noise, and while I don't hear very often people of noise scene talk about it, over 1000 LP's was pressed and eventually material re-issued in great "Vinyl anthology" 2xCD by 23five.
1989
INCAPACITANTS "Repo" LP
While many noise bands at the time could be linked to "sound collages", "improv", "industrial", etc. Incapacitants could be quite honestly referred as very first pioneers in the pure harsh noise brutality what genre is known later.
1991
INCAPACITANTS "Feedback of NMS" CD
While Repo still appear as "work in progress", I'd be pretty sure this release shows band in form it is known ever since. Undeniable force in all levels of painful noise and sheer energy.
HIJOKAIDAN "Windom" CD
If looking for albums, Windom stands out from some of the other works simply by having more idea of creating album than merely having huge long block of improvised noise (a'la Romance, Modern,..)
THE NEW BLOCKADERS "Simphonie In X Major" LP
While the debute LP is noisy, it's less so, than this. Cascading masses of metal junk that still makes sense in many ways.
1993
MASONNA "Mademoiselle Anne Sanglante Ou Notre Nymphomanie Auréolé" CD
With some smaller edition releases, I would believe this CD on Alchemy marked the rising exposure of Masonna all around the world. Lot of care in editing and putting together good noise album.
CCCC "Amplified Crystal" LP
While tapes and live recordings remain strong, the studio album of psychedelic noise heroes is something that's still being talked after decades. Even if being band relying on improvisation, there is a album feel to this.
AUBE "Floodgate" CD
Few c. 100 copies noise tapes were phenomenal, yet to unleash the full length noise CD of Aube must have marked much wider attention towards the band and also his label.
1994
MERZBOW "Noisembryo " CD
There would be many Merzbow CD's to mention. Why this? I would guess for many european the Swedish label putting out one of the killer CD's of his most detail heavy and energy loaded period made possible to purchase something other than jap imports.
1995
INCAPACITANTS "As Loud As Possible" CD
Together with Ministry of Foolishness this CD reflects the heavier sound of band as well as sealed the western attention perhaps better than expensive japanese import discs. Still today regarded as timeless masterwork in bands catalogue.
MACRONYMPHA "Pittsburg Pensylvania" LP
While one could debate wither this is THE BEST of Macronympha (I would rate something like Amplified Humans or Baroque higher anytime), it certainly should qualify due exposure of presenting the brute force of american harsh noise among wider audience. Re-issued and re-worked releases appeared later and it is still worshipped influence by many higher profile noise artists and labels.
PAIN JERK "trashware" CD 1995
While packaging and belonging to "series" might have played disadvantage for album, unlike small edition japanese tapes, this would circulate widely around the world, presenting the extreme new force in dynamic and high-fidelity Japanese noise, what most people perhaps even associate as "jap noise" at purest?
1996
MERZBOW "Pulsedemon" CD
Without doubt one of the best selling and most widely celebrated noise album. I recall already more than decade ago talking with someone at Relapse saying album had then sold.. was it 3500 copies. I think repressings has been made since. Anytime you talk with people who joined in harsh noise scene in late 90's, one commong remark is Release label's extensive promotion and this particular album.
K2 "The Rust" CD
Masterworks of cut up metal junk noise. In my opinion, the best recording of K2 in this style. Metal Dysplasia is not far behind, but a little. Early K2 is more industrial.
MSBR "Collapseland" CD
Out of many MSBR items, if we talk of ALBUMS, that contain both intense noise, yet undeniable album worthy "composition", this is it for MSBR. Again, european label putting out nicely package large run album that could be noticed by masses of people, but it is also by far the strongest MSBR release.
1998
SKIN CRIME "Audio Pathology" CD
After bunch of tapes since 1994, where Burn, Whorebutcher stand out, 1998 Audio Pathology remains appreciated by people around that time and high priced collectors item still now. Well textured and composed harsh noise works.
1999
KAZUMOTO ENDO "While You Were Out" CD
Utmost precision of composition, setting standards in editing, timing and unleashing force what can't be really blamed to be "merzbow wannabe", but clearly of own identity.
GOVERNMENT ALPHA "Spodaric Spectra" CD and "Alphaville" LP
Several years worth of always intensified tape & CDR releases culminated into two masterpieces in 1999. One 1000 copies CD by USA label and one 500 copies LP in Sweden. Together with handful of tapes that came before these, I'd rate these among the loudest and best G.A. recordings.
2002
SICKNESS "I Have Become The Disease That Made Me" CD
Album what kicked Sickness up to the international harsh noise fame. Gaining worship and following, even influencing people of his technical excellency.
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KAZUMOTO ENDO "While You Were Out" CD 1999
Utmost precision of composition, setting standards in editing, timing and unleashing force what can't be really blamed to be "merzbow wannabe", but clearly of own identity.
PAIN JERK "trashware" CD 1995
While packaging and belonging to "series" might have played disadvantage for album, unlike small edition japanese tapes, this would circulate widely around the world, presenting the extreme new force in dynamic and high-fidelity Japanese noise, what most people perhaps even associate as "jap noise" at purest?
SICKNESS "I Have Become The Disease That Made Me" CD 2002
Album what kicked Sickness up to the international harsh noise fame. Gaining worship and following, even influencing people of his technical excellency.
how about....
SKIN CRIME - Audio Pathology (Armed & Loaded, 1998)
MACRONYMPHA - Intensive Care (Self Abuse, 1998)
GOVERNMENT ALPHA - Sporatic Spectra (Groundfault, 1999)
K2 - Sexencyclopedia - 4x-CD (Kinky Music Institute, 2001)
VERY interesting! Heard some of these albums, own 2, heard of a few, but most will be new ground for me.
Gonna keep tabs on this thread!
hm, i see what you're saying about SEXENCYCLOPEDIA, maybe i listed it because it is my personal fav. K2 material... perhaps "THE RUST" (KMI, 1996) would be more appropriate?
Did someone save the list from the other board? It had stuff like Aube - Floodgate, P16.D4 - Kuhe in 1/2 Trauer, Hum of the Druid (Mountainous? which would be my inclination), Hands To, LeftHandedDecision - Instinct & Emotion (seemed like a pivotal point in both noise and American noise), and a smart cross-section of everything.
Quote from: Zeno Marx on August 03, 2013, 03:37:15 AM
Did someone save the list from the other board? It had stuff like Aube - Floodgate, P16.D4 - Kuhe in 1/2 Trauer, Hum of the Druid (Mountainous? which would be my inclination), Hands To, LeftHandedDecision - Instinct & Emotion (seemed like a pivotal point in both noise and American noise), and a smart cross-section of everything.
Well, this is not perhaps as good as the complete thread with discussion, but the list itself (or just a part?) is here (http://rateyourmusic.com/list/Kolibiri/canon_of_noise_/).
Updated list a bit...
Not very surprising, but when taking look on the list, still quite amusing how something quickly written on list was just the same as selections on that "canon of noise" listing linked above.
From K2, I consider THE RUST most essential. Triple CD box was ltd 300, kind of miscallenous recordings and live pieces thrown in set rather than "album" what is the topic now...
The Rita certainly - but what release? "Bodies Bear Traces Of Carnal Violence" appears to me kind of culmination point of that brutality of mid 2000's, with 1000x pressing ensuring quite large impact...
Hanatarash 1 & 2... got them, and they have indeed both influence even merely as mythical noise pieces. Same for "Senzuri Champion". That I don't even have (as original LP), but still one couldn't deny that those albums have been canonized in history of noise. Much more so than lets say.. NORD LP. Which is great 1981 release what could be said to be noisy enough, and other two albums of band has been quite recently bootlegged on look-a-like LP, indicating there is certain amount of demand... yet none of albums appear to be the nearly divine trophies like the ones mentioned... Release doesn't need to meet ALL the qualifications mentioned in opening message.
Prurient - The History of AIDS LP -one of the milestones of Prurient's discography. His first proper album if I remember correctly. I think it's been very influential for the newest wave of harsh noise and power electronics heads from all over.
It's always good to refresh a list of classic noise!
My two cents for now:
Dead Body Love - Lo-Fi Power Carnage (tape and later reissue on cd)
mainly for its legacy, since it's not my favourite Dead Body Love release
Perhaps Jason Crumer's Ottoman Black? Outstanding level of composition, with clear musical skill at work. A large run of 500 copies on a very high profile label (Hospital Productions) and perhaps even influential (despite being quite recent) on many later works, as the bookending of brutal high fidelity noise with delicate ambient build ups seem to have become more common since.
Quote from: FreakAnimalFinland on August 05, 2013, 09:01:38 PMFrom K2, I consider THE RUST most essential.
I'd second this. I'm not much of a fan of K2, but I keep coming back to The Rust.
My votes for The Rita are Anna Christie and/or Sea Wolf Leviathan.
I have a bit of work/searching to do!
I have the two Gov't Alpha, one of the Incapacitants and one of the Merzbows.
Goodbye, pocketbook!
I would say best of The Rita is Sea Wolf Leviathan (2004). Other rarely mentioned gems (I think): Sex Death (2006) by Sewer Election and Beauty of Nature (2006) by Testicle Hazard.
Didn't the old list have Borbetomagus?
There might have been something... but then question is that what really stands as their best? I rate Alchemy Records live CD quite high and have pile of other stuff, but not sure what exactly would be stand out album for them?
I'd give the nod to Barbed Wire Maggots. The 3rd eponymously titled disc may be my overall listening favorite, but that may be simply because it was the first of theirs I heard, and I may be waxing whimsically. BWM seems to define their sound, IMHO.
Quote from: FreakAnimalFinland on August 20, 2013, 06:52:41 PM
There might have been something... but then question is that what really stands as their best?
For a long time for me it was Snuff Jazz. Simply one of the most brutal pieces of sound commited to a recording medium.
With the release of Experience The Magic, there was suddenly a contender. The Experience is at least as brutal, but lacks perhaps some of the dynamic fury of the Snuff. I've gone back and forth several times to no safe conclusion, thank you sir I'll take both.
Then came Live In Tokyo and I'd have to call that the preeminent - possibly due to the very full-bodied, bottom-heavy, mastering(?) work. Having only experienced Borbeto live once - in Tokyo! - I can't speak with any authority on what they might normally sound like live.
Not sure if it was jetlag or what but the flavors on LIT are so different from practially everything else they've done... if it weren't for the signature unrelenting brutality you might think you were listening to another band.
EDIT I remember encountering Mikawa at an Incapacitants gig wearing a Snuff Jazz t-shirt. I just had to complement the man on his impeccable choice of worship and asked him where he got the shirt. Told me he made it himself. If that doesn't just snuff all...
I second Crumer's "Ottoman Black"
Also seconding "Total Slitting Of Throats"
Really the only so-called HNW album anyone needs. Totally overbearing listen that challenges even noise mavens to make it through, but is also trance inducing and rather an easy listen. I know those two thinks make absolutely no sense together as a description, but it's true and I think deep down that's what HNW practitioners have attempted since. It's not the first of it's kind, but it's damn near the best.
To add:
Ahlzagailzehguh - Memory And Hearing (Hospital Productions, 2011)
Perfect album that is widely available and absolutely requires multiple listens just to fully grasp all that is going on. Sets a standard for what one really can do if they actually take time, effort and actually care about what they are trying to accomplish. Very new, but it will be definitely memorable none the less.
Flatline Construct - Meatstack (Harshnoise, 2003)
Good mix of analogue, digital noise and combined.
Killer Bug – Your Wife Is Mine E.P (Self Abuse Records, 1995)
What all HN 7"s wish they could amount to. Perfection in length.
Viodre – UUEE Serve Me High (Cathartic Process, 2002)
If there ever was a gap between 90s and 2000s HN, Viodre is the bridge. This album sums up his work best i think and is a little more accessible.
I love these kind of lists, and I feel this one has alot of space left. I'm no authority or expert on the subject though. I'm not sure how well Entre Vifs "Heavy Duty" fits the bill, but isn't their sound to be found in many later noise artists?
Monde Bruits - Selected Noise Works 94-95
In my opinion a perfect japanese noise album. One track, one hour of straight DOD electronics. 'Pure' harsh noise like a stripped-down Incapacitants, a basic kind of sonic experience. There aren't really any strikingly "original" moments and it stays pretty well within certain boundaries, but in doing presents a sort of archetype or epitome of the style.
and
LHD - Lock Up 7"
John Wiese and Phil Blankenship together, total unrelenting harsh noise. Again, no frills, no clever use of samples or anything like that. I prefer the longer works, like the compilation 'Even Still,' but this one (like the aforementioned Killer Bug 7") is sort of a perfect little self-contained unit.
For LHD I'd vote Curtains, total balls to the wall harshness, perfect at about 20 minutes; may just be personal preference here, though. Regardless: LHD!
A recent release that would fit is Tourette's Jardin du Sommeil; proficient, innovative, absolute masterpiece, sizeable edition and .
I understand the choices for Repo and Feedback and ALAP, still imo Quietus is the stand-out release in this era.
Also, though Windom does deserve to be listed, Romance and especially Modern also do, too.
I recall we talked with friend about subject, but now can't remember if topic was ever formed about bands that are great and important for the noise genre, but more based on overall contribution, not on particular classic album. I think LHD is one of those. Or Cherry Point. What really is their album that stands out particularly memorable or groundbreaking or.... ? BUT, nobody couldn't deny their work as whole wouldn't be one landmark? Same could be said about works of Ramirez too. His importance for harsh noise is simply a fact, but when thinking what exactly is the best of his works out of zillion releases that are often quite a like? Even the best of his, aren't standing out as unique masterworks. But his output in general does.
In such, one should be too disappointed to see favorite band not being in list of iconic noise albums, when they perhaps belong to the noise monoliths (hehe..) who gained exceptional position through vast and long noise work.
I have limited knowledge of noise around the turn of the millennium, and from that ignorant perspective, it seemed like Lefthandeddecision - Instinct & Emotion was a pivotal moment in US noise, if not noise in general. (I said this on the other boards in the past.)
Have to check that out for reminder what it was.
I'm going to kick this older topic, because I think it's an interesting one and still worth discussing despite Power Electronics seems to be in favor here.
Feels like some Emil Beaulieau record ought to be in here somewhere? No denying how influential both his solo work/collabs and RRRecords are in terms of enduring aesthetics, approaches and sounds.
Seems like Americas Greatest Noise probably fits the bill best here; pretty widely available, lock/hand carved grooves, deliberately incorrect labels giving an anti record/confusing art object style alongside some straight up, solid tracks. Overall perfectly demonstrative of the RRR/Emil style despite being released on Harbinger Sound. Moonlight In Vermont is probably the more consistent record overall and has enjoyed 3 different versions over different labels so could well stand alongside it.
edit: on this note, surely any/all of the State specific RRR comps could go into the list in terms of local significance? I don't even own any myself so somebody else would have to corroborate...
Regarding The Rita, I believe Thousands of Dead Gods should probably make this list too in that it marks a point where the project begins to make more blatantly conceptual albums in such a way that continues today? An hour of unmoving noise wall sourced from shark cage diving videos and explicitly stated as such. Also, I'm absolutely certain that I never heard the term Harsh Noise Wall until people began discussing this record...I could be completely wrong about all of this but that's what my memory is telling me.
Some suggestions:
Vomir - Proanomie (At War With False Noise, 2008)
Alongside with The Rita and the compilation Total Slitting Of Throats, Vomir is the face of HNW and I feel this is is his first release that got widespread attention being on a bigger label with more promotion but also a defines his style and HNW in general.
Lasse Marhaug – Science Fiction Room Service (Jazzassin Records, 1996)
First big noise release from a Norway based artist ? Not his biggest release with the most attention (that would be 'The Shape Of Rock To Come' with 2000 copies, got mainstream attention) or the most noisy album of him, but a defining work I would say. Somewhere between harsh noise and manipulated freejazz.
Kevin Drumm – Sheer Hellish Miasma (Editions Mego, 2002)
Got quite a lot attention in more mainstream media and several represses, and also a very good album. Quite droney, but also lots of harsh parts and with an own distinct sound.
Sword Heaven - Entrance (Load, 2007)
Percussive destruction, pretty unique and got quite some attention. However pretty much tied to noise rock and possible more 'musical' than most albums mentioned, but I feel it's rather part of noise than just 'more abrasive noise rock'.
Would also vouch for LeftHandedDecision - Instinct & Emotion, like Zeno Marx mentioned.
Quote from: monotome on April 03, 2016, 03:57:13 PM
Lasse Marhaug – Science Fiction Room Service (Jazzassin Records, 1996)
First big noise release from a Norway based artist ? Not his biggest release with the most attention (that would be 'The Shape Of Rock To Come' with 2000 copies, got mainstream attention) or the most noisy album of him, but a defining work I would say. Somewhere between harsh noise and manipulated freejazz.
I was going to suggest this one as well. A noteworthy record from the point of view of nordic noise. This kind of noise at that time from that place. Of course also a great record just on its own.
yeah Vomir should be absolutely added too !
It would be interesting to see this list updated?
The list is pretty japanoise dominated and justly so but I'd figure there were some artist whos contributions should be quite obviously acknowledged to the canon of noise albums.
I'm thinking artists such as the Rita, some of Richard Ramirez's projects for the U.S. static noise or Jaakko vanhala and Umpio for the Finnish take on harsh noise.
The rise of HNW in the last years has also been significant to the extent that we already know that releases such as "thousands of dead gods" is considered a classic (although by no means my favourite the Rita album, I prefer the ballet themed albums but there you go).
I don't know, I just look at the list and I feel this side of the noise still needs represenation?
Also second the previous suggestions of including Borbetomagus - Snuff Jazz due to the intensity of the album, taking the noise elements of free jazz to the extremes.
Enemy by Skin Graft. Best album in the genre.