Merzbow Top Hits

[Balor/SS1535]

An interesting new interview with an emphasis on gear-use (and some comments on his use of AI): https://articles.roland.com/a-few-minutes-with-merzbow/

Really nice interview. Maybe his take on AI used for cover artworks, and especially on its environmental impact, seems a little bit naive but still it's interesting to read a different perspective instead of the usual rant so common these days.

People get really hysterical about his use of AI over on Reddit, it seems (no surprise there).  I agree that his explanation here is more than a little naive, but I do think that AI fits Merzbow fairly well---like a contemporary return to the early trash aesthetic.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

New edition of Merzphysics is really great in sense that I never had the former box. Youth Inc. version from 2012, was with less artwork, but the artwork was more in style of 90's era, where the sound originates from. I think therefore it would have been suitable to use art that is closer to the atmosphere that music is connected to. That's why I am critical of new AI artwork generated for this one. Of course, it is just cardboard sleeves with AI birds on them, so its not huge problem of course. I listened first three discs today, and totally rules! I guess tomorrow will continue the box. So far any of these could have been ok to be album of its own and be great. However, 10 discs box, or 10 separate albums? Hard to say what would have made more sense.

[Krigsverk]

Yes, I agree totally... this is Merzbow in his prime. I still have three discs to hear, but this has sofar been an excellent listen. The artwork is horrible, but I am not looking at it when enjoying the noise so all is forgotten.