PLAYLIST with COMMENTS/REVIEWS

[FreakAnimalFinland]

FAUSTRECHT "For the love of oi" LP, Rebel Records. Fuck. I though band would be good from beginning till end, but now this type of "lets do oi album about being skinhead and oi. Songs of oi music, being skinhead. being working class. etc etc. Basically every songs is about same stuff. Musically not as good as before. Lyrically not as good as before.

KILL BABY KILL "...burn in hell" 7", new 3 song ep from band that hasn't been alive for some years. Always good stuff, but most of all, always THE same. It makes one wonder how much more is needed...

NESSUNA RESA / Dr. MARTINS split 7", both bands have one songs each side = 4 songs in total. Weird choice. Much less memorable tunes than other Nessuna Resa I have heard. Best track is Dr. Martins b-side track. Italian oi.

BLITZKRIEG BABY "Kids' World" tape
Belaten
It's quite rare case to get tape release and come into conclusion that it's symphonic industrial what appears to be strongly influenced by Laibach?! In 2014! Simple bounding rhythms, monotone vocals narrating clear english language lyrics, choirs, cinematic/symphonic feel. Few tracks cross over to noisier side of things, but to me this is like Terminator 2 soundtrack meets Laibach and perhaps unfortunately worst moments, first track on b-side almost crosses border to rap. Yeah, I know its just drum beat and talking, but... 
Very hi-tech and computer effect sounding things. I'd prefer more "hand made" feel, but for the style like this, I guess it's bound to be computer mixed stuff. Lyrics border ridiculous, yet at the same time this is the grandiose and bold move to have guts to make such things these days when ironic comments are bound to override any enthusiasm, hah..

FUMIO KOSAKAI "The Warm Garden" tape
Ancient Records 02
last year 1st tape of Kosakai was reissued on LP. I think it was kind of good cultural preservation project to save some mid 80's recordings of now famous noisemaker... but if you compare that material, and the 2nd tape from 1990-1991, this second tape is MUCH much better than first. Perhaps one could say that you actually hear the transition to CCCC kind of works. A-side with theremin, metal plate, casio keyboards. Psychedelic drone works. Not noise. but good. B-side starts with scraping violin sound and progresses into slowly waving drone-ambient. Just good stuff. I hope this would be re-issued. It should have been, instead of 1st one, if you ask me.

[ConcreteMascara]

Concrete Mascara is tape + BIG black envelope (A4 size) with stuff. I bought my copy from Filth & Violence. Haven't yet listened it, though, but it's been on pile of "to be listened soon" for some weeks... Maybe today! I had not heard it being out, but was browsing shelves as F&V headquarters and was amazed to see this one. I don't know if Wrath as some exclusive deals. Especially first two video releases were so small, but should try to ask him about possibility of carrying tape releases on FA too...

the Concrete Mascara tape "The Pursuit of Hedonism..." was a joint venture between Si and myself co-released on his new Black Psychosis imprint and my Vanity Recordings imprint, both separate from WRATH. I can't speak for Si/Black Psychosis but Vanity Recordings will be doing more releases this year.

[ConcreteMascara]

in anticipation of getting a copy of Altamont Rising:

Shift - Bulk CD - totally crushing. monolithic. i love the buried vocals. my introduction to Shift some years ago. a good album to meditate to.

Shift - Morose cassette - a bit more variety than Bulk, and more upfront vocals.

Shift / Sick Seed - Split LP - top-notch work by both artists. no filler. easily my favorite Shift material. TOTAL NIHILISM

and in light of recent metal shows in Philly
Ilsa - Intoxicantations LP
Seven Sisters of Sleep - Opium Morals LP
Coffins - March of Despair CD
Hooded Menace - Never Cross the Dead 2xLP

[Half Aborted]

FUMIO KOSAKAI "The Warm Garden" tape
Ancient Records 02
last year 1st tape of Kosakai was reissued on LP. I think it was kind of good cultural preservation project to save some mid 80's recordings of now famous noisemaker... but if you compare that material, and the 2nd tape from 1990-1991, this second tape is MUCH much better than first. Perhaps one could say that you actually hear the transition to CCCC kind of works. A-side with theremin, metal plate, casio keyboards. Psychedelic drone works. Not noise. but good. B-side starts with scraping violin sound and progresses into slowly waving drone-ambient. Just good stuff. I hope this would be re-issued. It should have been, instead of 1st one, if you ask me.

We (that is myself of Crater Lake and Phil Todd of Memoirs Of An Aesthete) do have plans to reissue that one too, hopefully in the not too distant future. Earth Calling was re-issued first so as to be in chronological order.

[Dr Alex]

Nicole 12 ‎– Substitute cd
Nicole 12 ‎– Playground / Lolita Love cd

Great releases but it's pity that's impossible to read lyrics...

[Hakaristi]

Cheers for the info on Whiteswan fellas, will keep an eye out. Got that Concrete Mascara tape set and it's a good'n!

Gotta join in on the circle jerk for Altamont Rising; it's crushing, hateful stuff. Definitely best Shift yet!

Streetmeat - Rebirth: Recent release from this Texan PE unit, less painful high pitched tones and more low-end throbbing synth. Intriguing theme but can't say it's really discernible from the sounds themselves. Still, good stuff.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

MSBR "Structured Suicide" tape
MSBR 03
Third MSBR release if I'm not mistaken. First LP and one lathe cut 7" came before this. This belongs in my books along very best of MSBR. Despite two short tracks on b-side are quite useless, massive title track on A-side (c-6o tape) and long track on b-side that takes half of the side is totally classic recordings. Structured suicide operates on two levels. High pitched electronic noise and deep more calm rumbling and bassy ambience. Both layers are being modulated constantly and although material is never quite as noisy as Hijokaidan, Merzbow, Pain Jerk and such, it IS noise, and it is very well done. I do like this more than "Structure Suicide+" CDR. It is also good and perhaps worth having as it's not reissue of tape, but complete remake based on using this tape as source material. Great packaging in oil moistured newspaper. Had some issues to get this tape playing properly, but now that I have needed to adjust the "pad" of several tapes to get them play well, learned how to get it done, sound of this 20+ years old chrome tape is certainly brilliant.

ROPE SOCIETY "One word definition" tape
Cipher
Australian duo, I recall? Their noise works are harsh and crisp, but not too personal. I like much more b-side where they hit power electronic mode, with vocals, little more structure etc. I'd hope more PE groups these days would do something else than synths and pedal distortion, though. Something more personal for sound sources. Something more than just distorted rumble. It's decent quite short tape, but I'm sure there is possibilities to improve greatly.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

SEAGULL OVERSEAS "while you plan it" tape
Terror
Another Terror release what seems kind of weird for label. Maybe it is just wrong to assume label would be all violent and nasty noise / pe!? Here you have long tape with variety of songs from kraut-ish electronic sound to bleak dark ambient to slow tempo synth music with etheral female vocals on the top. Pretty well made stuff all in all.   

ABORTED SHYLOCK "Swastikult" tape
Auschluss
There's some magickal quality in sound of Hitler's speeches, that whatever music/sound one adds it, becomes always better. At least I can't think of much music what would have become worse by inclusion of charismatic frantic yelling! AS exploits them too. Swastika decorations all over the cover, unless there is too many totenkopfs that can't fit more graphics. I expect music to be somewhat inferior where "extreme" subject matter compensates the weaknesses on musical level, but no. It is actually very nice release. 60 minutes tape with one track per side, but both tracks flow from atmosphere to another very nicely. Sometimes sounds of war and gloomy dark ambinet pieces. Occasionally full on harsh noise blasting, and many things in middle. Not a bad tape to purchase! 

[Noiseape]

-DISTRESS / ODPADKI CIVILIZACIJE: split LP (nice old Yugo hardcore assault)
-PATARENI: 30 godina melodija... LP (prever old Patareni/Buka over their new polka punk stuff)
-THE MANSION CONGREGATION HYMNS: vol1 EP (nice occult rock shit)
-YELLOWMAN: nobody move, nobody get hurt LP (Classic Yellowman stuff)
-CSMD / BASTARD NOISE: split CDR (master CDR for upcoming split LP, ultra happy with the new CSMD stuff)
-BRUNO NICOLAI: the case of the bloody iris (soundtrack) 10"
-BRUNO NICOLAI: your vice is a locked room (soundtrack) EP
-ROBERTO DONATI: eaten alive (soundtrack) LP
-BRUNO NICOLAI: all the colours of the dark (soundtrack) LP (all these soundtracks are fucn great!!)
-ARMY OF THE PHARAOHS: in death reborn 2xLP
-FINAL EXIT / SETE STAR SEPT: split 7"FLEXI (great split of noise)
-CHAKAL: abominable anno domani LP (finaly got my tentacles on these Brazilian metal classics)
-SEXTRASH: sexual carnage LP
-HEXX: under the spell LP (forgotten treasure of metal)

[octis]

The God Machine - The Blind Man

Well .. What can i say that grandpa didn't ?..

[cr]

Triptykon: Melana Chasmata
Creation Through Destruction: Belt-Zone Circulation ‎
Skeldos: Įspaudai
Two new and very different releases from Terror.
V.A.: Hatred is Nothing Without Action
Excellent complilation
Alfarmania: Skuld
Pogrom: Degančios Suros
For me, still the best of 2013!

[FreakAnimalFinland]

CONCRETE MASCARA "The Pursuit of Hedonism in A Police State" tape
Vanity Recordings/Black Psychosis
Best CM stuff here? I think so! Power electronics is the name of the game, vocals appears like shout in moment of pain, each 5 tracks are different from each other. It has this live recording feel, that often sounds are "broken" by other sounds. Competing which of the loudest sounds get the slice of audio signal. Packaging of the release is possibly among most professional I have seen for long time for a tape release. Abundance of inserts, mini-posters, cards, booklets, envelopes, printed transparencies etc. Made with utmost care for detail. However, as much as I admire the undisputed talent of artist here, I feel most of artwork gives this a bit comic-book feel. The sound itself seems like rotten document of our times. Graphics give impression of distant fantasy? I guess up to taste. I have very mixed feelings. I don't like this combined with noise, but where's graphic novel from SiClark? That's something to wait! Certainly skill to compete with top artists of today... Nevertheless, 100% recommended anyways!

[Scat-O-Logy]

where's graphic novel from SiClark?

Not sure about graphic novels but at least Simon has some great animations on his YT channel. Check Mr. Sunshine for example, made me chuckle... :D

[Mikerdeath]

CONCRETE MASCARA "The Pursuit of Hedonism in A Police State"

After a few listens I really love this tape for the entire concept and sound approach. Intro sample is crucial.
Loved SI Clark's contributions to the artwork and the length they went to get the package just perfect is impressive as well.

My only gripe is It left me wanting more material for the B side, no issue however.

Hail.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

SONNE HAGAL "Läuthner 2a" 7"
Luftschulz
After I had listened that new Der Blutharsch split 7", not only DB was pretty lame, but that other band was like lazy Neurosis type of band. Nothing experimental, nothing industrial or related. Just mid paced aggro vocal whatever...  Though, I rather cleanse my ears with some pure neo folk then! And that's what Sonne Hagal delivers. Nothing more, nothing less. It's predictable, easylistening, harmless,....  Basically something I'd say I both can admire in some occasions, and can hate in other. I do miss the slightest traces of personality and difference. I miss the apocalyptic post-industrial connection and charismatic performers doing songs. I do listen Sonne Hagal rather than Of the Wand And The Moon for example.

Been already 4 years since last listened Sonne Hagal. Now was spinning "Jordansfrost" LP on Luftschulz (Tesco Distribution labels). So basically I could just repeat what I said above. Good stuff to listen to. I like the accordion, flute, violin, etc In this album a lot of people are helping out. Members from Of the wand and the moon, Ernte, Lux Inferna, Darkwood, Waldteufel and many others. Very professional, very nice. I just hope vocalist would be singing out-loud occasionally. This humming in whisperlike strength gets old. Certainly there must be topic in lyrics what require full on powerful delivery? Ok. I'll be returning to Sonne Hagal in some years...

JOY OF LIFE / APOPTOSE "Warrior Creed" LP
Tesco
Not really fully understood yet is Apoptose "popular" and if it is, what is its audience? Snare & bass drum percussion done by live musicians works out fine. Gloomy digital synth soundscapes.. well, in the style of epic soundtrack music works for straight-to-dvd cheapos, maybe. It's ok stuff to listen to. Less live-like samples things and Joy Of Life stuff here becomes slightly too much for me.

JUSTICE YELDHAM AND THE DYNAMIC RIBBON DEVICE "Birthdays" LP
Turgid Animal
huh. What a sucky LP. Using concert-grade piano contact mics, he amplifies a sheet of glass and plays it with his mouth and face, processing it with pedals attached to his belt, usually barefooted. Really? Lame goofy electronic noise here. No crunch, no brutalizing power, but this thin electronic sound neither comes out as particularly innovative. For guys who get excited of barefoot element, I guess it may be exciting when you see it. But from LP release, when its all about sound, it just fails to be more than quite crappy oral noises and lazer-like electronic effects.