Its been long time that I have browsed my shelves and thought... I need to listen Putrefier "Simulated Vapours" LP, but then listened something else. Now, that it is finally playing, I am actually impressed!
I recall that when this came out (recorded late 1998, released 1999), I was actually more fan of the old style of Putrefier. Anyone who is not familiar what is his old style, can still get the Industrial Recollections CD's from various distros world wide. Unique blend of experimentation and power.
Before this LP, style had of course changed long ago. Much more into harsh noise direction. I recall thinking that it is not as atmospheric as his "power electronics" works or that there is not the final brutality of what some harsh noise artists were doing.
However, it was never bad album not at all. And now that time passes, the qualities of this album are revealed in far more concrete form. Like think how many guaranteed harsh noise headfucks were great for couple rotations, but in long run - pretty much "the same"? Instead of some particular item, you could pick just something else. Or that noise would be aggro, punchy and brutal... but... not really innovative or texturally intereting? You know, as die hard noise fan, I can be satisfied with dosage of metal junk bashing... but also, I do have ear for nuance.
Putrefier triumphs on that. Amount of detail, modulation, recycling of signals, combinations of sounds, slowly moving on.. never being cut up noise, never being HWN, never being really fast or slow either. Just... something else? What exactly? To me its like what harsh noise in the 90's was at its best: despite falling somewhat into harsh noise category, everybody had their own thing going on. One thing I was not big fan in 90's, but nowadays am, is dynamics. Guys who are not maximum volume all the time, can have ability to be loud and noisy... and then just get even more noisier. This album certainly benefits from loud volume and the compositional aspects and dynamic variation reveals itself... then one can understand its power compared to "clip level only" contemporary noise.
What comes to live performances, I saw many and liked Putrefier live. I did see some failing shows as well. Technical issues (Boston) or lack of power in amplification (Leeds). Although the latter one was perhaps unintentionally funny enough to make it memorable! But also, really good shows.
There is also very very good works under his own name. I was not totally blown away by most recent collaboration. I tend to feel then "ah, people and their modulars..." -vibes with certain kind of stuff, hah.. But there are recordings and gigs that prove that while one can conclude he did amazing works in late 80's... he did also in late 90's and late 00's and I can't see reason why not now - if something new emerges!
Favorities, recommendations?
