Aaron Dilloway "Concealed" CS (Hanson, 2013)
I have yet to be disappointed by anything solo Dilloway. This is his usual layered, 8-track looping exploration but with a more exuberant/happy twist than, say, Modern Jester. But it's still quite similar in some ways, pieces being generally focused on two loops, one of which is at first quieter and later protrudes to the top of the mix, letting the previous subside and morph. Pretty minimal structuring. Some surprises in the bonus tracks, including a moment that sounds like a nightmare from an obscure children's movie, and another that I'd believe you if you told me it was old Mauthausen Orchestra, Murder Corporation, or something like that. The guy's a goddamned genius, that's all there is to it.
Matthias Gustafsson "Tapeworks Vol. V" CS (Hasten & Korset, 2016)
I wasn't as blown away by this as I'd expected to be, but serves me right. This is refreshingly different from what Altar Of Flies I've heard, but also similar as you might think. Tracks are not too heavily-layered, taking a drone approach that seems to rely on slow pitch-speed knob tweaking. Has more of a content austerity than a depressing vibe to it, although it's not without that distinctive Swedish moodiness. Also doesn't quite have the same mysteriousness as Altar Of Flies, but rather has a straightforward quality which is "taboo" in tape music (supposed to be so enigmatic and intellectual, you know?). Some voice work sampled from radio, I believe, which isn't done as often as it should be these days. Some of this is harsh in the sense that it's disturbing, rather than loud, which is always appealing to me, and some of the source sound and how it's manipulated/treated could cause some frustration in more analytical listeners like myself. I like that M.G. can "wow" you with complexity and difficult technique, but then go and just slow down some horn loop until the tones are damned intrusive and hard on the eardrum. Guy's on the level of Dilloway, etc. Almost too good at what he does.
Burried Machine "Bulkface" CS (Throne Heap, 2012)
I have to admit that in some cases, I wouldn't like what I hear here - nearly an hour of the same sonic palette in what's obviously an extended improvisation with maybe a bit of layering and editing. This stuff sounds like feedback, contact mic + metal, some tape saturation, and a ton of multi-head tape delay. Spacious but not exploratory mixing/contrast of sounds. Everything blunted slightly by magnetic tape. Certain parts sound as if they were recorded using a 30+ year old tape or deliberately unclean tape deck heads. Great formula, but not one that can always excuse such "jamming." In this case, though, it mostly holds up - Shin Chida seems to walk the line between monochromatic Finnish and German type "gutter filth noise" and Dilloway-Gustaffson type muted subtlety. I like this a lot, although it makes me more curious to hear other Burried Machine tapes than to look forward to repeat listens, which will occur, but not soon.
Agonal Lust "Breathing Through Blood" CS (self-released, 2017)
Probably risking my ass by mentioning this, but those who might know the name already know who's behind it, what it's all about, etc, so whatever. Really clear, well-recorded atmospheric PE with an Italo-sadist vibe and excellent distinction between sounds - droning background synth, upfront harder electronics work, heavily-effected vocals in two styles, possibly by two individuals. I try not to take artwork into account, but this stuff just looks like it sounds - perverse and elegant. Promising things coming from this project, too; even better and more diverse than what I've heard here.
MP + Driller "Tormentor" CS (Finders, 2017)
Bitewerks already reviewed this, but I wanted to add that this project gives older Deathpile a run for their money. Not that Canady's work isn't great, it is, but this is fulfilling the potential I saw in albums like "G.R." I certainly hope they do more with this project...hellish, purgatorial PE with a more dark than violent atmosphere. More sinister than sleazy. Very commanding vocals, maybe even more so than the above Agonal Lust tape, with whom this project is affiliated. Nice tape work toward the end of the track. Again, sorry for mentioning artwork, but those who appreciate the Lily Vice signature style of Lust Vessel will go fucking ga-ga for this...almost reminds me of obscure anime combined with old S&M VHS covers...
Pestdemon "Hidden Temple" (Unrest, 2009)
Glad I finally got hold of some material before he took up the Arkhe moniker. This tape I didn't like even half as much as what little Arkhe I've grabbed, but that's not a dig, this is still good shit. A somewhat bewildering mix of old-Bianchi type anhedonic structures and near-formlessness, with a technical vibe that oddly reminds of other Swedish death industrial like Trepaneringsritualen, shit, even maybe Brighter Death Now. Some moments have a bit more grit, distortion, etc, and some make you expect some hard-edged power electronics to emerge (kind of like Control), but don't give that sweet payoff, rather regressing back into their lunar cave state. I really liked this, and that speaks a lot to how damn good I find Arhke to be, because this barely holds up in comparison. Probably won't get a lot of repeat listens, but damn do I want to hear more Pestdemon and Arkhe.
