Merzbow Top Hits

[Minus1]

Masami Akita - The Prosperity of Vice, The Misfortune of Virtue 1996

When Akita and when Merzbow?  I wonder what dictates that.  Anyone know?  This album strikes me as something that could have been on Sound of Pig.  Harsh in moments, but stylistically experimental and with worldly tones.  Lots of field recordings?  Typically wonderful loops.  He really is a master of a the loop, isn't he?  I've really been keying into that aspect of him lately.  A new level of appreciation for his skill for loops.  This album does run into some stumbling blocks for me though.  The 50's music sample and the horse are two samples that break my concentration and enjoyment of this.  Reading through a thread at the Steve Hoffman forums, this could be a good introduction to him for those who don't like skin-blistering noise.  Outside perspective is interesting.

I'm afraid to click onto that Hoffman link. Won't they drone on about EQ levels and mastering issues? 😂 "Clipping" and all that?

Ok, that's not fair. (Actually, yes it is.) 😂 I lasted about 15min there. Me with my 20+ year old $50 (in 2005 dollars) portable CD player.

But I digress: I've spent a lot of time with The Prosperity of Vice, The Misfortune of Virtue today. (Re-release.) It might be the only "short tracks" Merz I've heard. And god-damn, this one is a real revelation for me. Akita has so many hidden / unseen angles, and I fucking have 100+ CDs of his. The man is Bachian. An ocean of Noise. Yet, still, his Noise can take surprising and beautiful turns.

(I can't distinguish between Merz/Masami. That begs a question in my mind: Did he ever make sound NOT as Merzbow?)

This CD is coming to me!

[FreakAnimalFinland]

Finally opened and listened to MERZBOW / WIESE "akashaplexia" 4xCD. Whole thing plays nicely at one sitting. It is that good. Could be among the best of new Merzbow, but logically at least partial thanks to Wiese! Playful, colorful, highly active, yet it does fall under real deal noise, despite there isn't constant loud HARSHNESS. Studiolive? Perhaps. Credits list studio where it was recorded, all four discs, 14th December 2024. I could only assume they played live long session that was mixed later. It does display talent to churn out about three hours of noise in single day and being actually good stuff! Something listener will sit though at once and think: could be more of this!

[Minus1]

Slowdown is the master of Merzbow archive releases but not the only label doing it. A few years ago the Australian label Room40 entered the "Merzbow archival market" as well. As far as I know they have 4 archival releases out and they are all from 1994-1998. One of them I have not heard but the three others are:
- Noise Mass: Alternative mixes for tracks from Hole plus unreleased. Fantastic harsh noise
- Flare Blues: Alternative mixes from Flare Gun 12" and White Blues 7", great stuff, plus this is probably the only Merzbow archival release on vinyl!
- Scandal: Starts with a very unusual piece for Merzbow, it sounds like a 12min unedited field recording in a workshop. Not noisy in anyway, just sparse everyday sounds. After this things get noisier but never reach the Venereology/Pulse Demon frenzy. Feels like material that is still rooted in the '80s but wanting to get harsher. I am not a fan of the first 12 minutes but it is worth it for all the rest.

Yeah. Thanks for this.

I've been sampling Scandal a lot today. I'm thinking that the first 12min is a warmup - eases you in. Because...that is a good idea. 😂

I really like this one. As you allude, I don't think he was going for the Akasha Gulva feel on these pieces.

This 69min "collection" is really working for me. I think Room 40 has done a superb job here. Brilliant choices / flow.

Fuckit. I'm going for it. 😂

Yeah...a proper sitdown with this one as I type. I've never heard Merz quite like this. The first two tracks (19min) truly are...er...scandalous. Another Side Of Masami Akita...before he goes electric! (As he does following.)

And really, what follows is unusual / weird Merz. I commend Room 40 for compiling this outta-left-field Merz.

To my ears this is like a late-night / early morning Merzdisc. As mentioned, it never gets to Akasha Gulva type Noise. It doesn't try to. It is what it is - a fascinating, subdued, understated collection.

So if you think "Do I really need another Merzalbum?" Why, yes you do! Get this! Get scandalized!

(I think I have around 150 Merzdiscs, and I'm thrilled to have this!)

[Minus1]

Masami Akita - The Prosperity of Vice, The Misfortune of Virtue 1996

When Akita and when Merzbow?  I wonder what dictates that.  Anyone know?  This album strikes me as something that could have been on Sound of Pig.  Harsh in moments, but stylistically experimental and with worldly tones.  Lots of field recordings?  Typically wonderful loops.  He really is a master of a the loop, isn't he?  I've really been keying into that aspect of him lately.  A new level of appreciation for his skill for loops.  This album does run into some stumbling blocks for me though.  The 50's music sample and the horse are two samples that break my concentration and enjoyment of this.  Reading through a thread at the Steve Hoffman forums, this could be a good introduction to him for those who don't like skin-blistering noise.  Outside perspective is interesting.

I'm afraid to click onto that Hoffman link. Won't they drone on about EQ levels and mastering issues? 😂 "Clipping" and all that?

Ok, that's not fair. (Actually, yes it is.) 😂 I lasted about 15min there. Me with my 20+ year old $50 (in 2005 dollars) portable CD player.

But I digress: I've spent a lot of time with The Prosperity of Vice, The Misfortune of Virtue today. (Re-release.) It might be the only "short tracks" Merz I've heard. And god-damn, this one is a real revelation for me. Akita has so many hidden / unseen angles, and I fucking have 100+ CDs of his. The man is Bachian. An ocean of Noise. Yet, still, his Noise can take surprising and beautiful turns.

(I can't distinguish between Merz/Masami. That begs a question in my mind: Did he ever make sound NOT as Merzbow?)

This CD is coming to me!

And hear it is! I really like that Room 40 seems to be digging up some buried / forgotten / overlooked / unusual Merz.

***Oh! This was actually initially released under Masami Akita! Sorry...that is stated above and I read too quickly.***

So yes - that begs the question - why? (And why re-release as Merzbow? Isn't that cheating?) 😂

But...anyway...I'm loving this. And I thought Scandal was different!

(I must have zoned: I remember Elvis, very briefly, but not horses!?) 😂

A kaleidoscope of sounds that flows seamlessly. It all "fits" for me. Fucking brilliant!