So finally I'm also getting back on track with my head starting to function like it should and so on. It was for me perhaps the best industrial/noise event that I've visited. I don't remember any gig where all acts were on such a high level and where there would be almost no time to go to piss because you had to watch everything from the beginning to the end. Yet another thing is, as we talked with some people, the overall atmosphere, vibe, energy of such events - communicating, sharing your sounds, thoughts, discoveries or just drinking and walking around. After boiling in your own juice for a long time, you slowly start to loose a point - why I should go to studio now and record something, why play something and not just drink beer and listen to some tapes and then such events are like a refreshing cocktail to feed and light up the passion and lust for noise, sounds, recording, collecting them and so on. So thank you for organizers. For great venue, sound system, care of everything and letting the democracy of London tremble under the boots of oh so hateful and dangerous noisers.
Friday
So towards the end of friday evening I started thinking that it will be extremely difficult to write about the gig because when you see some boring acts, you can go like "this was good and then that guy came and it was so bad, and boring and go for a long rant". And now it's not possible to do that. Am Not was a great intro to the evening. Sort of old schoolish industrial, a little political messages here and there, good vocal delivery, good sounds to sink into. I am sort of fanboy of Umpio and for me he seems like one of those highly underappreciated projects in nowaday's scene. I have yet to find the answer why. He played truly professional set, building up the sounds of junk, then going to sudden pauses, then resuming it and constructing a weird and interesting abstract sculpture of intense noise. Unclean was different, leaning towards minimalism so at first it was quite a big contrast after Umpio that I had to get to, but after a few minutes I've got to it and adapted my brains and ears to this sort of sounds. It was a truly well done set. Bizarre Uproar was so different from what I remember. But if the band/project changes the sound and appearance so much and that new program that you hear is so good, I guess there is no limits for developing, even for legendary acts. The continuous exploration of fetishes brings great results. And I will not be original here - Iron Fist of the Sun was my favourite from friday. just a very very small step above all else. Atmospheric, loud and simply very professional.
So after that it was a funny way home and a deep sleep after all these Strongbows (damn that cider is perfect).
Saturday
I was quite surprised how the Saturday's set was divided into two parts, but it was truly for the best and that break after 3 acts was very much needed. Though it's a pity that there were not that many people who came there at first. After watching a few minutes of SSRI I went to sit back and just listen to sounds. Pekka seemed like some sort of mountain behind that small table with small pedals, small knobs, small cables. Not aggressive, but oppressive and bleak (in a good way). At first Mollusk King sounded somehow strange. Most likely my mind was still empty after the SSRI so I couldn't just get reoriented so quickly to more structured stuff. Loads of junks, synths and good vocal works - as if from industrial music manual. Shift ended up the afternoon party as one of the highlights for the whole saturday and for the whole event. great visuals of maggots, hippies and hell's angels and the feeling of uneasiness. Together with BU from Friday this was the best looking act on stage - great masks, bombers and this was fucking loud, brutal, intense and not comfortable at all.
The second part was started by Halthan. Cannot comment much since I went for some meditation alone with beer, but I liked what I've heard. Perhaps the background sound could be better? but it was sort of old schoolish alcohol sunken no future power electronics. Secret Act went ok. Then also watched about perhaps half of Human Larvae because of packing and so on. If I'd have to put these projects in groups by their approach and so on, I'd put Human Larvae together with Molusk King and Am Not. Though Human Larvae was most intense of all the three. Truly great show. STAB Electronics was my absolute favorite of the fest. It's been just the "in your face power electronics" that one could wish for. Interesting message, intense and absolutely great sound, perfect vocal delivery. Truly one of the best power electronics acts currently in scene? At least for me personally. While sitting in that room with puzzle and weird sculptures, and talking with people I've heard something weird happening and came to Sick Seed playing already. I was just repeating to myself "wow" all the time - the set was some strange sounds, leaning towards pop and in that strangeness it became one of those three favourites on Saturday. Who said that it was too long? I wanted them to play all night while I could have my beers, contemplating on this weirdness! Excellent!
Another deep 3 hour sleep and another day in London that ended in me getting lost somewhere in Tottenham and wandering around, looking for the place where I had all my bags left until 8 AM. It was an impressive journey through ghettos that I wouldn't like to repeat soon.
Thank you for this perfect weekend. See you soon
