Just went through Urashima's K2 CD box, "Burst after burst - Early recordings 1990-1996". Perhaps slightly misleading title, when early recordings of K2 starts already from early 80's! Some of those works been covered elsewhere, like 5x tape box on Statutory Tape (RRR).
This box is good reminder how versatile is the K2 sound even in the 90's. I think many do associate K2 sound into "burst after burst" metal cut up style of Metaldysplasia and The Rust, but this box is good correction to remind his sound wasn't just that in the 90's.
disc 1 Materia Informis is basically his old era recordings from 1995, but mixed in 1990. Droning effected amplifier noise and fast metal object clatter that has more feel of industrial noise than the 90's brutal harshness. Metal objects are nearly acoustic and they have quite unusual polyrhythmic percussive style. Played fast enough that it feels almost musical, as opposed to random crashes. It is mixed neatly, where amp noise is first the loudest element and metal racket is slightly below it, and little by little amp noise gets buried deeper. Second track follows the similar feel, but adds more distortion, more echo, starts instantly more aggressive and noisier.
disc 2 Autopsy Soundtrakks
disc 3 "Souls are controlled by molecules" is re-created version of 1993 tape Autopsy Soundtrakks.
There both are surprisingly ambient / drone / industrial type of releases. There is quite electric vibe, but also due the age, it has the handmade feel to it. One has more rhythm, other dark and abstract.
disc 4 De Novo from 1994 is metal junk scraping, banging and smashing, but pretty much without distortion. Almost acoustic sound, which is far from his effect fueled 80's sound, but also far from distortion orgy that started in next years.
disc 5 Rusty Tongue this is the 1996 "desert-mixed", re-created versions of Metal Dysplasia CD tracks. It is kind of clear why these albums I keep mentioning are so highly valued. The sounds of metal are so neat. It is always very much K2. When you hear his metal, it is not like someone else's stuff, but there is something so distinctive in sound itself, but also in the cutting & assembling this noise bursts with micro-breaks. It is without doubt good to hear this!
disc 6 Destruktion For Model Citizens is great 1996 harsh blast, where electronics and junk cut ups meet perfectly. It was originally Iron Kulture 7" special edition addition. Self Abuse did maybe 50 of this 7" as set with the tape. It feel like he may have not over-done this. I mean, of course his absolute classics like The Rust or Metaldysplasia are not over-done, but nevertheless this feels like more relaxed, a bit less cut, but still harsh and fierce harsh noise always on the move.
Wooden box and cardboard sleeves for each CD. That's my only complain here. While front of box has nothing to do with old design, also the discs barely has it. Front covers look like pulled from discogs with info on back of each cover with generic Times font. There is no present the KINKY MUSIK INSTITUTE feel, like the typography what was so unique in the tapes.
