Today was cleaning up room. Was checking some cardboard box with whatever CD's that for reason or another have not been filed to alphabetic order in shelves. To I see Dieter Muh "black square" CD from 1997. It must have been decade since I listened this. So, put it on player. And yes. It is still very good. This is couple years before they visited Finland for live gigs. Experimental industrial sounds and very well made ambient textures. It was pleasure seeing them live, and all releases since (with exception of couple which I never heard) has been very good. Even if you wouldn't want to lump creative works together in some pretty vague group of bands, if you've been listening some UK groups as Zoviet France, Contrastate, etc.. to miss Dieter Müh would be shame. They share the adventurous sound. Creation of proper albums (and even succeeding in short length. Remember amazing 7" on Harbinger!). And always, it has the feeling of live craftmanship. You don't have some computerized looping and dull pasted on atmosphere, but the flow of sound is pure bliss. Extensive reverb drenched sounds, deep dark roaring ambient noises float smoothly and naturally.
You can find 2nd hand copies online for very cheap prices. It one of those bands who have great discography and none of releases cost high prices. For price of new tape, you can get this 2nd hand. Probably new copies for less than standard CD. Don't waste opportunity.
I happened to have just picked up the 7" on Harbinger Sound this past weekend at the Victoria Noise Fest (CDN$3) and was instantly enamored with the a-side. I think it easily stands alongside some of the more 'ambient' p.e. acts such as Anenzephalia, Ex.Order, or even the more atmospheric side of Genocide Organ. A deep & heavy, slowly pulsating drone burying some sort of vocal samples. The b-side, however, is different--noisier and perhaps what could just be described as 'more experimental' or maybe industrial. Their sound is definitely one that is harder to pin down.. they're not really p.e. and don't seem to deal in expected p.e. themes, but again their tracks seem to evoke similar atmospheres to me. And while I haven't listened to it in a while, I remember their (long) track on the Kaos ex Machina comp. is also excellent and varied. Definitely an underrated act!
What did people think of the collaborative album with Mnem on Cipher? It's an album I listen to every now and then to try and get what it is I keep missing. It's well made, well recorded, all of that, but never quite gets to me emotionally.
I think it is not very successful. It's good and decent to listen to, but missing the best things of both bands. Missing memorable things that capture your attention. And those "how this is done" type of moments what I often get when I listed exceptionally well made DM works.
One of those groups that demands full attention to appreciate - listening on low volume gives very dull experience. Also I think the key to their low-key appearance is probably due to the fact that they doesn't have any specific theme or agenda worked out - not in titles or artwork anyway - that appearently scares people away these days... Not all material is pure gold but what interest me most is their sense of creating dynamics (involving rhythms) and very strange atmospheres.
Should be interesting to hear new works as the group now is a one-man band. David Uden left the group last year, leaving Steve to continue on his own. I'm sure the matter will be touched upon in the forthcoming issue of Night Science.
Will get back with comments on releases.
Quote from: Andrew McIntosh on May 28, 2010, 05:28:13 AM
What did people think of the collaborative album with Mnem on Cipher? It's an album I listen to every now and then to try and get what it is I keep missing. It's well made, well recorded, all of that, but never quite gets to me emotionally.
I really enjoyed this release. In fact, I probably listen to it more than any of their separate releases I own.
Great group.
But still wondering where that mix of the Strom.ec "hermoston arkkitehti" went (by DM). I guess some compilation with magazine maybe...
Thank You - I am honoured.
There will soon be another compilation appearance on the CD "Bacterium" that Australian label Adeptsound is releasing. July, I think. It is a section from live Dieter Muh performance in March this year. There are other releases due in the next 12 months, including a split 7" with UK artist Luke Younger (Helm), but I never like to say too much just in case it never happens.
Also a follow up CD to the IBF 12"EP that Harbinger Sound put out last year is in the making. Hanson should be putting this one out.
I still have the master for the STROM e.c. remix. It was to be on a 12" on Neuroscan but it never came through. Shame. If a label is interested.......Or perhaps I put it for download on MySpace?
I too am looking forward to the new "Night Science" magazine/CD.
Cari Saluti.
Steve.
Still having warm memories from the gig in Mäntsälä, Finland, ten years ago with STROM.ec, Grunt, Temple of Tiermes, Putrefier and Dieter Müh. One the best events I've witnessed! Never got hold of the live recordings though, I wonder if they're still available somewhere.
J.
This event was issued as 2xCDR on Kaos Kontrol. Sold out long ago, but I guess not very rare?
Have to mention that I bought decent stocks of almost all DM releases from the band member. Now also in stock the pretty "rare" THE CALL LP (ltd 250!!). Most DM titles also possible to wholesale/trade with labels/distributors, so get in touch!