PLAYLIST with COMMENTS/REVIEWS

[Apes Clog Snag]

First noise of 2025.
Merzbow-Solonoise (2xCD).
OLD EUROPA CAFÉ.

Classic early merzbow.
Collages of micro objects amplified.
One of my favourite of first era of merz.

One of the best Merz moments on the first Solonoise around 40 to 46 minutes when that machine loop and vocal loop start blending.

[k.p.g]

PBK/Hands To/AMK - System-Music-End (PURE)
Finally going through one of the PURE discs from my last RRR trip.  This is a satisfying and odd range of sounds presented throughout this disc from 3 formidable freaks (and their freaky friends).  I am glad this did not end up just being a split like I thought it was.  I have no idea who is manipulating who throughout each track.  Perhaps this is a compilation of various collaborations throughout the years.  Do I hear saxophone in the mix?  Right on!

Scarlet Diva & Slacking - Humiliation Ritual (Summer Interlude Records)
I received this in a recent trade with Jim Slacking, and was curious to see how this one would turn out.  I knew that in its early days, Scarlet Diva was a very strict noise wall project.  I never kept up, so I am not sure what it is like now.  This collaboration presents a much wider range of sounds though, as I hear shrieking tape mangling, low end crunch and even some pop music sampling (?) in the mix.  At just 20 minutes, this was a nice soundtrack to cook breakfast to.

[groesk]

First noise of 2025.
Merzbow-Solonoise (2xCD).
OLD EUROPA CAFÉ.

Classic early merzbow.
Collages of micro objects amplified.
One of my favourite of first era of merz.

Most of it reminds me if a band like Half Japanese did noise. But I did really like the latter half of Solonoise B, sounds more interesting as beats and more are used to break up the loop. The loop change at 21 minutes is also cool.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

PBK/Hands To/AMK - System-Music-End (PURE)
Finally going through one of the PURE discs from my last RRR trip.  This is a satisfying and odd range of sounds presented throughout this disc from 3 formidable freaks (and their freaky friends).  I am glad this did not end up just being a split like I thought it was.  I have no idea who is manipulating who throughout each track.  Perhaps this is a compilation of various collaborations throughout the years.  Do I hear saxophone in the mix?  Right on!

Not everybody I know have liked this, but I like it A LOT. I am sure there is review somewhere on this forum about it. When it originally came out, I suppose I wasn't as excited. Its like with a lot of Pure discs. In mid 90's, biggest thrill was to get all those Japanese big names doing their newest great recordings to Pure series. Getting some of those lo-fi broken noise releases or a bit experimental ones didn't have such instant impact, yet those releases grew over the years. Now, disc like this one, I would easily listen instead of Masonna. And I'm Masonna fan, hah. Good thing is, that despite  most of the hottest titles are sold out, a lot of these less worshipped, but really really good CD's are still available. I should have box from RRR waiting to arrive in week, re-stocking all the pressed pure CD's once again.

[k.p.g]

Getting some of those lo-fi broken noise releases or a bit experimental ones didn't have such instant impact, yet those releases grew over the years. Now, disc like this one, I would easily listen instead of Masonna. And I'm Masonna fan, hah.

On my first RRR visit 6 years ago, I know I walked out of there with the Masonna one you are talking about.  Don't think I would have made the same choice today if given the same opportunity.  Those under the radar releases really have some special quality to them that some bigger names/titles lack; that being replay value. 

[k.p.g]

Ligature - Disappearing Act (Ascetic House)

In order to prepare for a move in March, I am starting to pair down my record collection extensively.  When you reach the noise section of this task, it always becomes infinitely harder.  "I have 8 tapes by this artist, and I remember enjoying them all in the one listen I gave to them.  What do I do?"  You sit down and listen, I guess.
This tape will be staying with me, as I find it to be among the best of the Ligature discography (the other being his tape on Monorail Trespassing).  This has a very ... New York ... feeling to it that you can hear from other artists in his peer group like Shredded Nerve and Kyle Flanagan; eerie synths, whacked out tape looping, "city life" field recordings and just the right amount of harsh rage.  Judging on sight alone, I am willing to wager this is a C10 or C11.  Pairs pretty perfectly with the aforementioned Monorail tape, which clocks in at a C20.  Some artists wish they had 30 minutes worth of sound as good as this.
Rumors I have heard indicate that Chris Hansell has quietly exited out of recording noise at this point.  If so, I get it; dude has a busy life between a pizza restaurant and his other musical endeavors in hardcore.  It is better to acknowledge when you should step away than attempt to continue making half-hearted material.  It makes tapes like these just have an extra layer of power to them.

Max Julian Eastman - An Event in 4.75 Time (Chocolate Monk)

I am always game for the Eastman brand of tape muck weirdness.  This one delivers on that end.  The drums he uses here are choice.  Add in found sound from god knows where.  There was only a bit of CDr glitching to be had, but as long as it doesn't stop the disc completely, I can manage with it.  It is to be expected with the format.  This is a pretty good disc, has me excited for whatever proper full length comes from Max next.

Aaron Dilloway - Opened Door (Chondritic Sound)

This is a pretty creepy tape to have rolling before 10:30AM.  I have not listened to Dilloway in quite some time.  His impact on my love of noise is immeasurable to the point where it feels akin to throwing on Nirvana sometimes.  I have heard what I have a million times, I think I know all the tricks and sounds.  I know it is good, so the urge to revisit rarely comes.
Similar to Nirvana though, every time I throw something by Aaron on, I hear new things that were not made apparent in my first listen.  My love for the man's work comes flooding in at an astonishing rate.  As I finish typing this now, I am eyeing my tape wrack for which Dilloway will be put into the deck next... hmmm... Been a while since I heard Foul...

[k.p.g]

Papaphilia - 4 Animals Dream of a Shadow (Nice Music)

Continuing cleanup of the living spaces, and I get to a box of music I acquired pre-COVID, specifically from my study abroad period in Sydney, Australia.  For the life of me, I could not remember what this tape even sounded like.  Pop it in, and am pleasantly met with some minimal, psychedelic industrial.  I really enjoy this.  Australia tends to have some great and weird things going on.  I think the region deserves more attention as a whole.

Biscuit Eastman - The Old Guard (Tribe Tapes)

Say, this dog is a certified RIPPER!!!  What could have easily been a gimmicky noise wall tape became a very endearing and touching slab of crude, lo-fi noise.  I love it.

[mag-maa]

PBK/Hands To/AMK - System-Music-End (PURE)
Finally going through one of the PURE discs from my last RRR trip.  This is a satisfying and odd range...

Not everybody I know have liked this, but I like it A LOT....

Had to check this one (thank you internet). And yes, it really sounds great! A lot of strange noisy sounds. If I would make music, I would probably like to do something like that ;D
I remember listening some Hands To CD in a past (probably ordered it from FA), and wasn't very amazed about how it sounded, but surely I tried several times... until finally sold it. Not necessarily bad, but very monotonic noisy distorted "drone" (imagine a field recording of wind and traffic noise driven through some distortion pedal). Not sure if it would sound better nowadays.