Black State

Balor/SS1535 · January 19, 2020, 08:55:00 PM

I have been listening to the power electronics band Black State for some time now, and recently received a copy of their Hlose lp. From what I could find online, it seems that they are from the UK, but apart from that I have not been able to learn anything more about them. I assume that they would like to remain anonymous, but I have no knowledge that would confirm or deny this suspicion. Does anyone have any information about the band? Do they have any other side projects? Are there any interviews with them in zines/online?

IVX · January 20, 2020, 12:43:38 AM

I really like this project a lot and also could never find a shred of info anywhere.

brutalist_tapes · January 20, 2020, 03:06:16 PM

i met the guy, he is indeed from the UK. i think he is tied to the whole all dead tapes/stoic strength/northern english scene... but i think man wants to stay anonymous, due to controversial nature of his work... and i guess living in ultra-pc hellscape UK? anyways, great project! first couple of tapes was so-so, but hlose is really really good. looking forward for more!

Balor/SS1535 · January 20, 2020, 07:08:41 PM

Quote from: brutalist_tapes on January 20, 2020, 03:06:16 PM
i met the guy, he is indeed from the UK. i think he is tied to the whole all dead tapes/stoic strength/northern english scene... but i think man wants to stay anonymous, due to controversial nature of his work... and i guess living in ultra-pc hellscape UK? anyways, great project! first couple of tapes was so-so, but hlose is really really good. looking forward for more!

Thanks, at least I know some facts now! Hopefully he will put out some new material soon.

I never really listened to the early Black State tapes (only "We Hate Them"), but have thought a lot about getting the compilation cds. I liked the "Offensive Weapon" 7 inch too.

burdizzo · January 21, 2020, 02:37:35 AM

Bought the "Valkyrie/ See You All In Hell" compilation, as well as one of the tapes. Enjoyed them both, esp. the recurring sample on the CD "...no notion of the Jewish danger. Our worst Jews work only behind the scenes. We think with joy of the day when we shall be able to say 'England For The English, Out With The Jews. Heil Hitler'"! Hah! Said, no doubt, by the British fascist lady, Rotha Lintorn-Orman who adorns the cover. This is swallowed by rough churning and base noise. Blunt and effective!

Balor/SS1535 · January 26, 2020, 04:01:38 AM

Quote from: burdizzo on January 21, 2020, 02:37:35 AM
Bought the "Valkyrie/ See You All In Hell" compilation, as well as one of the tapes. Enjoyed them both, esp. the recurring sample on the CD "...no notion of the Jewish danger. Our worst Jews work only behind the scenes. We think with joy of the day when we shall be able to say 'England For The English, Out With The Jews. Heil Hitler'"! Hah! Said, no doubt, by the British fascist lady, Rotha Lintorn-Orman who adorns the cover. This is swallowed by rough churning and base noise. Blunt and effective!

I really need to listen to more of their early work. From what it sound like, they became far more subtle/mysterious with the samples they used on Hlose. I wonder whether they will return to the blunt samples on future releases.

swastikalotus · May 08, 2022, 08:20:09 PM

Does anyone have an idea where the photographs in the Hlose CD/LP originate from? I can decipher that there's photographed two women of, uhm, lower ethnic descent, but that doesn't give away much. They appear to be screenshots from a smartphone.

Balor/SS1535 · May 08, 2022, 09:36:22 PM

My assumption has always been that the artist just took the photos himself of some unsuspecting ladies!

FreakAnimalFinland · May 09, 2022, 09:25:07 AM

Hlose was vastly better than the tapes / tape re-issues. Of course if you like the album, earlier stuff will most likely be satisfying, but for those who have not heard project yet, I think the album is where to start!
Very much "for the fans of Filth & Violence" and if you do not like that approach, then one can stay away.

HateSermon · June 15, 2022, 05:19:00 AM

Agreed with Mikko... Hlose is waaay better than the earlier tapes, which is what I had initially heard from the project. So those earlier comp cds don't get much play from me. Have yet to hear the 7".

Balor/SS1535 · June 16, 2022, 04:25:20 AM

Quote from: HateSermon on June 15, 2022, 05:19:00 AM
What's the deal with the Sex and Heroin DVD-R that Wrath put out? Anyone see it?

What do you mean? I have the file and have skimmed through it, but everything seemed thematically appropriate.

yddish_hebrew · October 26, 2022, 07:40:32 PM

Quote from: swastikalotus on May 08, 2022, 08:20:09 PM
Does anyone have an idea where the photographs in the Hlose CD/LP originate from? I can decipher that there's photographed two women of, uhm, lower ethnic descent, but that doesn't give away much. They appear to be screenshots from a smartphone.

any town UK

Cranial Blast · December 05, 2023, 11:10:58 PM

I do too,

Quote from: IVX on January 20, 2020, 12:43:38 AMI really like this project a lot and also could never find a shred of info anywhere.
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Quote from: IVX on January 20, 2020, 12:43:38 AMI really like this project a lot and also could never find a shred of info anywhere.

So do I, Hlose is near flawless. I don't know whether the project is still active or not, but certainly hope new material will come out in the future if the project is indeed still active that is.