What is essential Harsh Noise?

[NocturnalLibrary]

Also posted this on the Scream & Writhe forum but since the first suggestions were Freak Animal already I feel this might be appropriate to share here too. Note, also after recommendations are here I would like to continue this topic through reviews, thoughts etc., not to make it another topic that ends abruptly.

At a recent Noise evening with various mostly Dutch artists I realised my love for Harsh Noise again not only because of its cathartic effect which helps me cope with rebuilding myself and healing from 5 years being controlled on what to do and even what to like but also because I feel it really well.

With The Nocturnal Library mail order and archive I'd like to therefore share a continuing collection of Harsh Noise releases both old and new to inspire others and share great works. Therefore my question to you is what is essential Harsh Noise to you? And it can be a wide interpretation as there of course Power Electronics but also from the other side Tape Music kinda artists who have that edge.

Feel free to send me recommendations of artists, releases, labels and I'll make a selection.

[impulse manslaughter]

This topic is a good start if you want to explore the classics;
https://special-interests.net/forum/index.php?topic=3724.msg31670#msg31670

[NocturnalLibrary]

This topic is a good start if you want to explore the classics;
https://special-interests.net/forum/index.php?topic=3724.msg31670#msg31670

Yes, that's a great topic, thanks for reminding me. I'll dig in more, order more releases and build a nice collection of releases in my archive as well as mail order. Thank you

[Theodore]

Am not sure if you are asking about current essential or now classic essential. I guess the former since you mentioned mail-order, but if the latter, and if you havent checked it already :

https://rateyourmusic.com/list/mkrasna/one_hundred_essential_noise_releases_as_recommended_by_joe_roemer__macronympha_/

Also if you can find : One Hundred Essential Noise Releases as Recommended by Tommy Carlsson (Treriksröset) , in Shocktilt #2 zine. Someone had compiled a Discogs list for it, but it's not there anymore.

[NocturnalLibrary]

Am not sure if you are asking about current essential or now classic essential. I guess the former since you mentioned mail-order, but if the latter, and if you havent checked it already :

https://rateyourmusic.com/list/mkrasna/one_hundred_essential_noise_releases_as_recommended_by_joe_roemer__macronympha_/

Also if you can find : One Hundred Essential Noise Releases as Recommended by Tommy Carlsson (Treriksröset) , in Shocktilt #2 zine. Someone had compiled a Discogs list for it, but it's not there anymore.

In a way I meant both classic essential and current Harsh Noise because as for the mail order this could include essential artists as well as new reissues of classics too. The list(s) as well as that last one I'll try to find look interesting. Plenty to check out still.

[Zeno Marx]

I think I'd concentrate on artists more than releases. Hum of the Druid, Stimbox, Knurl, Tourette, Nebris, Green Tea, Kjostad...  People who do consistently great work.

[NocturnalLibrary]

I think I'd concentrate on artists more than releases. Hum of the Druid, Stimbox, Knurl, Tourette, Nebris, Green Tea, Kjostad...  People who do consistently great work.

Yes, that's also pretty much the idea. I'll receive a few boxes from Tesco Organisation and Freak Animal this week and based on the artists I like the most of those releases will continue collecting and stocking releases.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

I think I'd concentrate on artists more than releases. Hum of the Druid, Stimbox, Knurl, Tourette, Nebris, Green Tea, Kjostad...  People who do consistently great work.

Yes indeed, I think this could be even topic of its own. Like... would PULSE DEMON be such a classic album, if it was just that album, and it would not be part of the larger body of work? I feel that this album as stand alone album if nice, but it is not phenomenal by any means. When you think it as sort of purified synth noise album within discography of Merzbow, is suddenly has different meaning.

There is pretty much none of noise artists where one album would be way more essential than having handful of albums. Most often handful of albums reveal the strength and put single albums into perspective.

[NocturnalLibrary]

I think I'd concentrate on artists more than releases. Hum of the Druid, Stimbox, Knurl, Tourette, Nebris, Green Tea, Kjostad...  People who do consistently great work.

Yes indeed, I think this could be even topic of its own. Like... would PULSE DEMON be such a classic album, if it was just that album, and it would not be part of the larger body of work? I feel that this album as stand alone album if nice, but it is not phenomenal by any means. When you think it as sort of purified synth noise album within discography of Merzbow, is suddenly has different meaning.

There is pretty much none of noise artists where one album would be way more essential than having handful of albums. Most often handful of albums reveal the strength and put single albums into perspective.

Yes I agree and I very much aim to dive into specific artist's but also label discographies more if I find them especially to my liking and worthwhile. I don't intend to make any kind of "1000 essential Harsh Noise records" list but rather more a continuous selection of artists and labels I find worthwhile.

[Cranial Blast]

Macronympha's earliest to mid 90s titles seem to always come to mind, especially albums like Notes From The Underground, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Whorechestra, ect. Those are perfect or near perfect harsh noise albums in my opinion. Mid 90s especially seemed to be a stellar year for Macronympha, a lot great titles! They generally come to mind as "essential" harsh noise.

[wilst-de]

For me it's ENTRE VIFS and early LE SYNDICAT.