PLAYLIST with COMMENTS/REVIEWS

[jadderly]

Incapacitants - Asset Without Liability
When I'm in the mood for harsh noise, I tend to gravitate to stuff like this. I wish more of their 90s material was readily available at reasonable prices.

Seth Nehil - Amnemonic Site
Picked this up cheap in a distro clear out. I remember Nehil's name from different catalogs and being thrown around here and there, but I don't think I've ever had any of his music until this one. This is excellent. Vaguely ambient-ish, sort of non-academic electro-acoustic music based on field recordings and psychical/found objects.

Hazard - Wind
Several years ago I had the earlier "Lech" and "North" CDs. While those were good, this is quite a leap beyond from what I remember from those. Good use of field recordings with tasteful processing and well arranged overall. I will need to check out more Hazard/BJ Nilsen recordings from this time frame and later.

Dissecting Table - Ultra Materials '86-'91
Now I love the early/mid 90s era of DT with albums like UPD II, Zikogu, Human Breeding, etc. but this is my first time hearing these earlier recordings. They are definitely a lot less refined than those later albums but still quite enjoyable.

Jeff Greinke - Places of Motility
This was my introduction to Greinke years ago, I remember ordering it from Manifold back when they were still around. This album is a bit uneven at times and doesn't fully gel together as well as the albums that bookend it. When it's "on", it's really good.

Steve Roach - Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces
Massive 4xCD set, drifty ambient and dark atmospheres. Well done and not too cheesy.

Megaptera - Disease
Finally got a copy of this. In general, I prefer Nystrom's newer projects and side project stuff to Megaptera, but this is quite good. A lot less reliant on corny film samples than some Megaptera I've heard, more minimal overall and also more effective.

BDN - Pain in Progress
Early BDN, hadn't heard this one in many years until I recently re-bought it. Perhaps too minimal at times compared to later work, this almost makes me think of Maurizio Bianchi, but less accomplished. Still, I like this. The bonus tracks on the CD are in a completely different style, some are more straightforward and have vocals up front.

Asmorod - Derelict
Rough industrial ambient stuff that sounds like it could've been made a decade earlier and that's no criticism. I'm not in love with the artwork or packaging, but whatever.

[Ashmonger]

Femeheim - Dominium Terrae (CD, Death Continues Records): Really decent German (I think?) Death Industrial. Only comment would be that I think it misses some more bass sounds and it comes of a bit calculated at times. Really like the 7th track, which has a deeper sound, and the 8th track with its sporadic metal clang. In general I think the best tracks are those that have more elements, some others are a bit simpler and they're good too, but it's just those extra sounds (such as vocals, metal clang...), even if sporadic, that seem to get the tracks to a higher level. Anyway, recommended album, if you like this kind of Death Industrial.

Gnawed - Feign & Cloak (Malignant Records, CD): I only have his Devolve tape (which I really like) and the track on the split with Disgust, RU-486 & Nyodene D, but that track isn't that great. Haven't heard his 1st album, heard the samples but I wasn't impressed right away. This on the other hand is really good! Seems part of the aggression has made place for ominous atmosphere. Great synths, metal sounds and processed vocals. There's one track (the one that starts with the panning sound, can't remember which one it is) that's especially great.

Anenzephalia - Instrumentalities (Singles Collection 1991 - 2008): Anenzephalia is good of course, though there's one thing that struck me while listening to this compilation: some tracks seem a bit too long for their own good...

Sick Seed - Technological Singularity (CD, Untergeschoss/Filth & Violence): Compared to the Helsingin Synagogat 7", I like this a lot more. First track sounds a bit goofy at times, maybe, but 2nd & 3rd track are absolute Industrial greatness. Cool layout as well.

Ride For Revenge/Below (tape, Bestial Burst): Not too familiar with Ride For Revenge, I only have The Renegade Temple which I like and have in the meantime checked out Wisdom of the Few (which I really like, but seems like I'm late to the game, needs a repress maybe?) and Enter the Gauntlet which seems harder to get into (check both through bandcamp). On this split they present a lengthy track which has parts I'm into and some parts with which I have a bit of a hard time getting into. Below is weird Black Metal too, nice atmosphere, but it seems like there's guitar, vocals and other sounds, but no apparent drums/drum machine?

[Zeno Marx]

Pantaleimon - Change My World 2003 - folk - CD-single with 3 live tracks from Trees Hold Time - the live tracks are really nice.
Can Am Des Puig - The Book of AM Pts 1 & 2 1978 - psychedelic folk - I think I like Part 2, the previously unreleased album, over Part 1; the vocals are more in tune, and the effects are more psychedelic; definitely more tracks on Pt2 - "Love's Strength" - good album overall.
Ure Thrall - The Great Zoviet French Kiss Off 2008 - ambient - decent album from him, but nothing exceptional.
Voice of Eye and Thomas Dimuzio - The Unveiling of Darkness 2012 - ambient - flawless transitions - dense, rich harmonics - beautiful editing (if it isn't all improvised) - illuminating tones - standard, perfect Voice of Eye - their signature, elephant-like bellows are present; what I love about those is how they sound like manipulated trumpets/brass instruments with huge wind, though they are likely from handmade string instruments - "Themisto" has some wonderful tribal percussion.
V/A A Selection of Drones Past 1993-2000 2006 - ambient - Vance Orchestra, Spear, Osso Exotico, Dronaement, Die Feinen Trinkers Bei Pinkels Daheim, and Reynols are nice tracks.
Tho-So-Aa - Epoch Pt.1 1996 - ambient - tracks I & III are Inade-like and space/lunar landscapish - track II wasn't a great idea on repeat - track IV is of a quality, religious sample, but tonality is just a tad off for it to reach enlightenment, which seems like the goal; the crudity, or lack of rich harmonics, works against it reaching full potential; near the end of the track, sounds like felt mallets on cymbals evolving into space that are nice touches - track V continues there, but is far less successful.
Vidna Obmana - Crossing the Trail 1997 - ethno-ambient - I have a really difficult time listening to this guy - has a digital, plastic-like feel to his sound, and all the rhythms and structures are limp - even more new agey than Steve Roach, who I do like.

[jadderly]

Vidna Obmana - Crossing the Trail 1997 - ethno-ambient - I have a really difficult time listening to this guy - has a digital, plastic-like feel to his sound, and all the rhythms and structures are limp - even more new agey than Steve Roach, who I do like.

Have you tried "Spore"? I'm no expert on him, but I liked that one. It's even a bit noisy in places.

[Zeno Marx]

Vidna Obmana - Crossing the Trail 1997 - ethno-ambient - I have a really difficult time listening to this guy - has a digital, plastic-like feel to his sound, and all the rhythms and structures are limp - even more new agey than Steve Roach, who I do like.

Have you tried "Spore"? I'm no expert on him, but I liked that one. It's even a bit noisy in places.

Thanks for the recommendation.  I gave "Creep (Isolation Trip)" a listen.  I like what he is doing there with the other elements, but again, his choice in digital percussion sound is awful.  Clicky.  Clacky.  No depth.  It's really distracting.

[Mikerdeath]

Are there any good early live recordings of Napalm Death? Or live videos with good sound?

I have a rather large amount of these collected over the years, if you are interested, PM me and I will share them with you.

[jadderly]

Vidna Obmana - Crossing the Trail 1997 - ethno-ambient - I have a really difficult time listening to this guy - has a digital, plastic-like feel to his sound, and all the rhythms and structures are limp - even more new agey than Steve Roach, who I do like.

Have you tried "Spore"? I'm no expert on him, but I liked that one. It's even a bit noisy in places.

Thanks for the recommendation.  I gave "Creep (Isolation Trip)" a listen.  I like what he is doing there with the other elements, but again, his choice in digital percussion sound is awful.  Clicky.  Clacky.  No depth.  It's really distracting.

He does seem to use a lot of digital sources, I wouldn't be surprised if that entire disc was composed with software. In general, if you are looking for organic-ish ambient, I don't think he would be the best artist in that realm. His discography is huge though. Have you tried his early collaborations with PBK? At one point PBK was giving away mp3s of those for free but I think they are on Bandcamp now for a low price.

I do know that the "Trilogy" series of albums from the early 90s are very acclaimed, but I think they have some digital elements on them as well. I have these on deck to listen to but haven't played them yet.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

JFK "Teenage Fantasy 1987-88" 2xLP
Hospital / Harbinger
This is way better than "La-Bas 1987-88" from JFK. In what ways? I think there is more abstraction and more leaning toward noise. Of course we have the drum machine beats and most of "electronics" is merely feedback and droning of bass & guitar, but still seems less of "industrial-rock" than the other? Good!

BLODVITE "Dekonstruktioner" LP
Järtecknet
Nice LP. Rough loops, fierce tapes. Slowly moving industrial noise atmosphere. Perhaps as LP, it's just good LP, while on tape format one would rate it instantly among the greats?! Just little too routine of what Blodvite does to jump in your face by unusual level of excellency.

LR "Brother" 12"
Wendy
One-sider, but quite long one. And good one! Loke does his style of vocals, drones, feedbacks etc, but feels perhaps even more composed than some other works? Occasionally not very far from Damien Dubrovnik, but hardly identical. Very good record what one only hopes that would have b-side filled too. Would stand out as excellent LP.

DAVE PHILLIPS / CORNELIA HASSE-HONEGGER "Mutations" LP
Tochnit Aleph
When I first listened this, it didn't seem as good as some other Phillips stuff, but returning back to this LP proves otherwise. Most of the basic elements of his work is present here, but it does have some new angle why LP seems essential to include among collection. Experimental sounds, animal voices, field recordings. Various locations. Lengthy texts about radioactivity, mutated insects nearby chernobyl etc. Very good.

LAIBACH "Neu Konservativ" pic LP
Cold Spring
Well deserved vinyl edition of live gig that has been previously issued on CD by Cold Spring. 1985 live in Hamburg, including many of the classic tracks with nice live sound.

KRAFTWERK "Soest 1970" LP
SAT Records
UK Bootleg label putting out LP formerly known as Karussel der Jugend. 1970 full live gig of kraut/improv jams from Kraftwerk before band found their more electronic sound. Never been big fan, nor listener of them, but noisiness and eerie drone works of some tracks fit to my tastes. Kraut jams are fine too. Probably a must for fanatics, for the rest...?

SPK "Machine Age Sessions" LP
SAT Records
Another bootleg LP. First side has good sounding Peel Session from 1983, but problem is, of course that it is notorious "metal dance" style. So technically good, but musically very very hard for me to get too excited. B-side has another BBC session, but not with John Peel. Sound is pretty close to utter rubbish. Not sure what kind of copy of the copy of the copy of radio transmission or mp3 has been used as master. And not rugged in good way either. I still included it among my SPK collection, but can't give strong recommendations...

V/A "THE COPPER ROOF HOUSES" LP
Posh Isolation
I'm not fully convinced about Lust For Youth material on this, but otherwise pure gold. Of course it's quite expected as this was originally tape, and Posh Isolation has only re-issued selected and very best of their tapes. Damien Duprovnik, Blodvite, The Copper Roof Houses are besides LFY and all deliver!

NEPTUNE TOWERS "Transmissions from empire Algol" LP
I believe Peaceville did official LP's not so long ago? But these came year before. Blurry scans from CD versions make the cover artwork pretty dull, but can't complain that much. Afterall, I always had impression that this project gained attention only because it is Fenriz, and probably haven't listened CD for 15+ years. Getting LP was good excuse to revisit it and damn?! If one is into sloppy and amateurish electronic music this may hit the spot. Kraut / electronic muzak leanings far more than anything about "metal" or "industrial". Clumsiness and technical flaws only make it more interesting than some works of old masters.

[Zeno Marx]

Steve Roach & Vidna Obmana - Ascension Of Shadows-Meditations for the Millennium 1998 - ethno-ambient - 3CD - 1st & 3rd CDs are 70+ minute, single tracks; Roach seems to be the prime mover in those tracks; standard, good Roach material; 3rd CD has some beautiful windsweeping elements; relaxing, engaging work by Roach - 2nd CD is three lengthy tracks, with the middle track being the best of them; 1st & 3rd tracks have strong Vidna Obmana handling with terrible digital percussion and anything-but relaxing tones.

Terrorizer - Before the Downfall set 2014.

Grateful Dead - Fillmore West-San Francisco-Ca 1969-02-27 - new 16track, Healy transfer - it'll set your stereo and mind afire - superior to the official box set release - SHN ID# 132573 for those interested.

[Vermin Marvin]

Full Blown A.I.D.S - 6 song EP single-sided 12" Limited Appeal
Full Blown A.I.D.S - Leech 12" EP Limited Appeal

Great midtempo sludgecore with dirty sound from Seth Putnam fame.

[andy vomit]

CON-DOM / THE GREY WOLVES - Waging War Against You CD
i never got the original LP box, so (most of) these tracks were new to me...  fucking brilliant work from both parties.  nothing more to say, really, except THANK YOU to unrest for reissuing this material.

SEKTOR 304 - Live Reaction CD
the very definition of industrial music.  heavy scrap metal percussion (with live drums as well), great voice work courtesy of martin bladh..  it's a slightly different beast than their studio work, but it's quite good..  intense sound and performance with lots of breathing room.  highly recommended.  

SICK SEED - Technological Singularity mCD
kind of a new direction for pekka & co., eh?  the first track threw me off a bit, but it grew on me.  the addition of a bassist was a good choice.  it'll need a few more spins to really sink in, but i dig this, and i look forward to SS's next output..

CONCRETE MASCARA - Blossoms of Shame CD
piercing high end feedback and junk noise with some of the best vocals in recent memory.   

[bitewerksMTB]

OCHU "tvärsnitt" LP- great LP with a lot of great sounds. Could use a little less of the stewpot banging but that's a minor gripe. The heavy bass sounds are impressive.

CONCRETE MASCARA - Blossoms of Shame CD- the second track is the winner. Not sure about the minimal tracks, certainly didn't expect them. And I agree with Andy Vomit on the vocals.

[Dr Alex]

Lustmord - The Word As Power cd
Absolutely amazing album. He did a great job with voices from various guests.

Inade - Audio Mythology One ‎ cd
Inade always had unique dark ambient sound. Along Bad Sector and Yen Pox, Inade become one of my favorite projects of dark ambient. Superb collection of various songs but it's works as an regular full-length. Closing track is a personal fave.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

RLW "Sechs Abstande" LP
Blossoming Noise
Handful of people have said RLW's solo stuff has been quite hit & miss. Could perhaps agree. But this LP I like. It's much less cut up electro-acoustic sort of stuff, more longer pieces of experimental sound. Often lo-fi and suffocating atmospheres. 2008.

CLIMAX DENIAL "In the absence of self-denial" LP
Urashima
Could be easily the best from him? Not sure if it's just thanks to LP format that takes off little bit of the glitch of contemporary PE sound, but also musically I'm pretty confident to conclude its his best work to day! A-side works well, b-side starts with weak track, but goes towards more unusual vocalization, which helps band to jump away from safe zone. To area where certainly some will hate it, but certainly will also nod in agreement that such variation is good for album. Clean sound and effect fueled vocals are still a bit too "2000's", but direction is right!

VOICE OF EYE "Anothology one: 1989-91" 2xLP
VOD
This would be my favorite form for VOD reissues. Not overtly ambitious box-sets, but just little more than LP. So, double LP, offering about CD length of material. It is of course "just" a sampler. Choise cuts from old tapes from this era, offering no original album arch, but re-visioned compilation. But enough for me, in case of Voice Of Eye. Experimental soundscapes filled with industruments, self made instruments, electronics, female vocals. Sometimes very musical, most of time time excellent multi-layered and textured "ambient". Calm, slow paced, but never too simple.

SUDDEN INFANT "20 years of sudden infant" LP
Harbinger Sound
2009 compilation LP of 13 cuts from career of Sudden Infant. Nowhere near as interesting as Sudden Infant 4xLP anthology is. Nonexistent artwork and no information. But well, you got almost plain white sleeve with tracklist stamped on back of sleeve. Not all pure gold on audio either, but work out as SI generally does!

VIVENZA "Fondements Bruitistes 1 and 2" LP's
Rotorelief
Fucking killer. I do have Fondements Bruitistes original 7" as well as the Fondements Bruitistes CD reissue on Drag & Drop. But these two LP's (sold separately) offer weird addition. Why? Well, according to tracklist, b-side of 7" doesn't appear here in same length as it was on original 7". And comparing tracklists with CD, reveals there is significantly different tracklist. 1st LP gathers more noisy stuff. All very traditional Vivenza style. 2nd part appears to tone down a bit. I'd say whether you own the old ones, these are still utterly essential to grab!

[eyestrain]

U/I·R - Dolda Topografiska Undertoner: Vol. 1 (Engelsberg) (Naturens Undertoner): Tried as I may for some time, I never managed to cop one of the mere 27 copies that were made available of this tape. [Edit: Thank you Soulseek!] It had to make me wonder, "is it maybe just not very special?" And I suppose that's a tough thing to say with certainty. Are you listening to the details? Or just absorbing the general mood of the tape? The General Mood: slowly building, but never collapsing sound akin to snippets of Ättestupaand Krökta Rum. Two 15-minute sides you could lazily ascribe to the dark ambient pantheon with an "organic" flair. The Details: refined and articulate sound collage made from a variety of seemingly standard instruments like keys, acoustic/electric guitar and bass (I may be mistaken), unobtrusive tinny clanks and manipulated field recordings that leave any hint of origin obscured. Some of the tape-based sounds that serve as the backbone seem aquatic, but what is refreshing about them is that the sounds are peaking and troughing and mangled that keep it from being that redundant "artsy", "academic" water trickle that you hear way too much. The minor bit of oscillation you hear on the B-side is so nearly nonexistent I can't help but think of Niellerade Fallibilisthorstar's "natural" method of making industrial music. All in all, a really jarring tape - that would serve as a perfect accompaniment to many scenes from von Trier's "The Antichrist" - that hopefully gets greater distribution one day. The Hibiskofon mailer that showed up yesterday mentioned a future tape from U/I·R down the line. Fingers crossed!