The best boxes!?

[BatteredStatesofEuphoria]

I can't find Skin Crime anywhere.

Yeah, unfortunately, its become quite the rare find nowadays unless you're sitting by your computer at all hours constantly refreshing your Discogs wantlist....

However, while it is digital, it is at least fully streamable on Bandcamp to get some idea of it: https://hospitalproductions.bandcamp.com/album/case-studies-in-early-taxidermy-techniques?from=search&search_item_id=2695410427&search_item_type=a&search_match_part=%3F&search_page_id=3326100733&search_page_no=0&search_rank=1&logged_out_menubar=true

You might have more luck with the Tales from the Crypt double cassette set. The material is from the same period, but the release was more recent than the big box.

And, its just 30 min, but this is still easy to pickup: https://newforces.bigcartel.com/product/skin-crime-skin-crime-cd

I had never even heard of Gilden until this thread. Thank you! (I think?)

I don't think you'll be disappointed. Its always great to discover new things, if maybe not so great for the wallet. Just leave enough money in the wallet for a few meals at least. :P 

[moozz]

I've mentioned it in another thread but all this Merzbow talk makes me wanna say it here too: some of the Slowdown Records 6xCD Merzbow boxes are great. I especially like Metallic that has archival material from 1993-1995. That era to me is like the golden years of Merzbow. The 6xCD before that one is Tapestry Of Noise which collects archival material from 1989-1991. Absolutely nothing wrong with that period either! That box has an alternative mix for Cloud Cock 00 Grand and source tapes(?) and/or alternative mixes(?) for Crash For Hi-Fi. Plus 4 other discs.

If you love all Merzbow no matter if the cringiest early experimental stuff or the laziest laptop stuff you can always get the box that contains 10 of these 6xCD boxes. After that if you're still craving for more there is also the box of 6 of the 6xCD archival boxes that concentrates on material recorded from 2006 onwards. After those if you are STILL dying for more I think you should get your head checked.

I have been tempted to get the 60cd one, but it looks like there is some overlap with the original Merzbox?  Good to hear which of the smaller sets are worth picking up though, as I (someone who should get his head checked) am always in the market for more Merzbow...

Not sure if there really is much overlap with Merzbox. Sure, Merzbox contains Cloud Cock 00 Grand as well but wasn't that the same mix as on the original CD?

If you're looking for MY recommendations of those Slowdown 6xCD archival boxes I'd say also the Green & Orange box is worth getting as it covers 1996-1998 which was still great for Merzbow. It has, for example, two CDs of alternative Tauromachine stuff.

Unless you go all-in with the 60 CD box and/or the 35 CD box, I'd say check which period each 6xCD box covers and get it if you like Merzbow albums from those years.

[k.p.g]

Definitely make some time for the rest. After 4 is where the real classic material really kicks in. Not that the first 4 disc are bad at all, either. Its great to hear how the sound developed from the early scattershot experiments on Prenatal and crude tape manipulation and filth (in a good way) of Desecration, then see all that refined in Eyestrain and Genetal Modification, until it fully blooms into that "classic" SC 90s sound from Urge on.

It definitely is one that will be getting its time in the player when moving chaos passes.  I feel like I move backwards with this group sometimes, as my introduction was the comeback LP on Hospital.  My initial impression of this band mastering the art of "dead sound" has resonated with me so much that it took a couple listens of material like Audio Pathology to click.  Still, first 4 discs here have been nice to get into for the fact that even such a mighty group like Skin Crime had its "testing" phases.  Excited for the "classic" era.

[Balor/SS1535]

I've mentioned it in another thread but all this Merzbow talk makes me wanna say it here too: some of the Slowdown Records 6xCD Merzbow boxes are great. I especially like Metallic that has archival material from 1993-1995. That era to me is like the golden years of Merzbow. The 6xCD before that one is Tapestry Of Noise which collects archival material from 1989-1991. Absolutely nothing wrong with that period either! That box has an alternative mix for Cloud Cock 00 Grand and source tapes(?) and/or alternative mixes(?) for Crash For Hi-Fi. Plus 4 other discs.

If you love all Merzbow no matter if the cringiest early experimental stuff or the laziest laptop stuff you can always get the box that contains 10 of these 6xCD boxes. After that if you're still craving for more there is also the box of 6 of the 6xCD archival boxes that concentrates on material recorded from 2006 onwards. After those if you are STILL dying for more I think you should get your head checked.

I have been tempted to get the 60cd one, but it looks like there is some overlap with the original Merzbox?  Good to hear which of the smaller sets are worth picking up though, as I (someone who should get his head checked) am always in the market for more Merzbow...

Not sure if there really is much overlap with Merzbox. Sure, Merzbox contains Cloud Cock 00 Grand as well but wasn't that the same mix as on the original CD?

If you're looking for MY recommendations of those Slowdown 6xCD archival boxes I'd say also the Green & Orange box is worth getting as it covers 1996-1998 which was still great for Merzbow. It has, for example, two CDs of alternative Tauromachine stuff.

Unless you go all-in with the 60 CD box and/or the 35 CD box, I'd say check which period each 6xCD box covers and get it if you like Merzbow albums from those years.

ha---sounds like a good plan!  I hadn't looked at the Green & Orange one, so I'll keep an eye out for it.

I only asked about overlap because I feel like they also did some sort of box of the Collection series?  Given that I already have the Urashima box of those and the comp CDs in the Merzbox, I could probably do without tripling up on them.

Actually, thinking back over these two version of the Collection albums, I feel like they were mastered to sound very different?  I recall the Merzbox ones sounding much harsher.  I'll need to listen again...

[Minus1]

I can't find Skin Crime anywhere.

Yeah, unfortunately, its become quite the rare find nowadays unless you're sitting by your computer at all hours constantly refreshing your Discogs wantlist....

However, while it is digital, it is at least fully streamable on Bandcamp to get some idea of it: https://hospitalproductions.bandcamp.com/album/case-studies-in-early-taxidermy-techniques?from=search&search_item_id=2695410427&search_item_type=a&search_match_part=%3F&search_page_id=3326100733&search_page_no=0&search_rank=1&logged_out_menubar=true

You might have more luck with the Tales from the Crypt double cassette set. The material is from the same period, but the release was more recent than the big box.

And, its just 30 min, but this is still easy to pickup: https://newforces.bigcartel.com/product/skin-crime-skin-crime-cd

I had never even heard of Gilden until this thread. Thank you! (I think?)

I don't think you'll be disappointed. Its always great to discover new things, if maybe not so great for the wallet. Just leave enough money in the wallet for a few meals at least. :P 

Thank you for your insights and recommendations. I really appreciate it.

I'm a kid in a candy store here!!

[PTM Jim]

I actually have a question about the material that I'm curious about. Disc 16 is labeled Magico Ritual, while Disc 17 is labeled Unknown Outtakes. But 16 clearly has several (7 in all, I think?) pieces on it, even though its only 1 track on the CD, whereas 17 is one long, continuous track. I assume the titles may have come from how whatever masters you obtained were labeled? Given the plural wording "Unknown Outtakes," which implies more than one, I wonder, is it possible 16 and 17 were mislabled and were actually switched?

Magico-ritual was a side of a tape that was paired with BLJ - Anti. Not available anywhere else to my knowledge. I split it up into what I believe were just untitled tracks. (was definitely a dub for someone).
The Unknown Outtakes was, just that a tape that said "outtakes" and was just one side. I didn't have a clear glimpse where tracks began and ended though, so I left it as one piece. Think of just listening to it as you would if it were a tape side.

[Bloated Slutbag]

Talkin Merz and box. These 6cd Slowdown boxes (stated date of recording) are pure gold:

Loop & Collage (84-87)
Strings & Percussion (86-88)
Tapestry of Noise (89-91)
Metallic (93-95)
Green & Orange (96-98)

While these consist almost entirely of alternative takes and mixes of the releases proper (exception being Loop & Collage which includes Crocidura Dsi Nezumi and Enclosure), I'd say in terms of overall sound flavor & texture there is unsurprisingly a great deal of overlap*. Merz kind of is a study in overlap, or self-plunderment. Merzbowelment. What's in a name you say. Merzbow unequivocally, and with due apologies to FdW, sounds likes Merzbow.

* with the releases proper and the Merzbox and the other Merzboxes**
** the 10cd Youth Inc sets, Merzphysics and Merzmorphosis, are possible exceptions, as far as repping more raw and untreated materials as I've commented on in the dedicated merzthread.

[Andrew McIntosh]

Has anyone released a box set of Merzbow box sets yet?

[Minus1]

Has anyone released a box set of Merzbow box sets yet?

I think Merzbow did.

(Edit: I'm half joking! His 60CD is 10x 6CD box sets!)

[BatteredStatesofEuphoria]

[Minus1]

What did The Merzbox say to the latest Taylor Swift CD?

Actually, I have no idea. I just wanted to be the first to say "Taylor Swift" here.

But seriously though: Confession time again: I have absolutely no Richard Ramirez!!!

I know, right?

What about these 5CD-6CD boxes called Vol 1-2? I tried elsewhere on the forum but my search skills are lacking.

Thanks in advance.

[k.p.g]

What about these 5CD-6CD boxes called Vol 1-2? I tried elsewhere on the forum but my search skills are lacking.

Those ones have compiled the classic 90s material from him.  I do not personally own either one, but know some of the material on there is absolutely great.  Would seem as though both are available still from the label.

[Minus1]

What about these 5CD-6CD boxes called Vol 1-2? I tried elsewhere on the forum but my search skills are lacking.

Those ones have compiled the classic 90s material from him.  I do not personally own either one, but know some of the material on there is absolutely great.  Would seem as though both are available still from the label.

Yes, thank you. The more study I do, the closer I get to getting these 2 boxes. They might be perfect for me - ie someone who never kept up with all the RR activity, but wants a "Coles Notes".

[Goat93]

Has anyone released a box set of Merzbow box sets yet?

Yes:

https://www.discogs.com/release/25004707-Merzbow-35CD-BOX

https://www.discogs.com/release/20342752-Merzbow-10x660CDBox

[k.p.g]

someone who never kept up with all the RR activity, but wants a "Coles Notes".

Then these boxes are perfect for you.