PLAYLIST with COMMENTS/REVIEWS

[HateSermon]

Tons of stuff lately

Hal Hutchinson "Brutal Mechanics" cassette
Super unpleasant mic feedback layered over the junk metal sounds that HH is known for. All frequencies pushed to the extreme and all sounds melt together. Listening to this on headphones and you can make out subtle shifts of what's going on underneath the harsh blanket of high pitch squeal. Artwork unmistakingly made by Keith Brewer. This actually looks more like a Mania release than anything else. Good shit!

The Black Maghreb "HOW" 7"
I think this was reviewed elsewhere on this forum but I can't seem to find it. Anyway, my two cents:
I'm not so sure about this one. Overall I feel there's too much going on and think this could have been more successful if the sounds were more organized or some stuff omitted. The material here reminds me more of intro tracks to war metal bands like Konflict rather than standalone songs. I also don't think the 7" format did them any favors, either. Would have been more successful if each track had more time to breathe. Either way this project has my attention and I'll still check out whatever comes next.

Abscheu "Creed" cd
Opposite of above! HEAVY fucking hard hitting PE with razor sharp sound. I found myself hitting the play button again once it was over... has a lot of replay value. I don't normally go for the more polished sounding stuff but god damn. One of the highlight releases of the year.

Caligula031 "The Leatherman" tape + zine
Love me a good tale of the old leather bar days and this one delivers. Another release I've listened to back to back a few times. Good amount of layered synthesizers and sounds that often create an overall dizzying feel and I like the different styles of processed vocals sprinkled throughout. Some catchy parts to this too. The zine features an essay on the artist's experience as a straight guy hanging out at leather bars and his curiosity for something harder than the now watered down S&M scene.

[Nolan]

Pig Heart Transplant - For Mass Consumption
Short and nice tracks, some of them too short for their own good and would love to hear more developed ideas, but nonetheless the album is great. No filler. Great vocals!
Too bad he project ended after this one. Why?

It's not ended, but Jon hasn't worked on new material for a while.

[HateSermon]

Soldnergeist "You Want Him / Hyper Climax" 7". Self Abuse.

A really enjoyable 7"! Side A has fast paced beat driven bassy synth with some subtle loops happening underneath. Vocal style on this is top notch. Pitch shifted and slowed down "You want him" repeated over and over... almost seems like you're on the hunt for someone or something. Side B "Hyper Climax" is a masterfully crafted build up of layers starting with a loop of female orgasm and sawing buzz. The track continues to get louder and more suspenseful as more sounds are introduced and eventually reaches climax with an unexpected tonal shift and less prominent feedback. Highly recommended release and there are cheap copies available via discogs.

Red Glory "Metaphysically Misplaced" cassette. Danvers State Recordings.

I only recently found out about this side project of The Vomit Arsonist via his recent WCN interview. Post mortem done properly. Slow moving landscapes of repetitive minimal synth and an overall dreadful, COLD atmosphere. Bleak. My only complaint is that it's too short! Need more of this shit. Hopefully something new is in the works, which I think he mentions towards the end of the interview.

Blodethos "Demo" cassette. Wotanic Pride.

The first release from the new label Wotanic Pride. Really rustic sounding ambient / neofolk style music with some catchy tunes. Overall a pretty melancholic sound here. It's refreshing to hear a new neofolk-ish band that isn't a total Death In June worship project... as much as I like DIJ, how many times do we reinvent the [sun]wheel? Seems like this cassette is harder to get because of extremely limited copies. The label is already on the 3rd run (coming soon) of these and I'm not sure why they just didn't dub more to begin with? It's surely a release that deserves a wider circulation. Presentation on this release is nice... good layout and print quality. Looking forward to the next one.

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

Cyess Afxzs – No Bull One Left Behind (Krim Kram)

Lots of Cyess Afxzs coming out this year and new material is always welcome. We had the excellent Richter album on WCN earlier this year which is heavy on the piercing controlled feedback the project utilizes so well. There is also a new collab with Scathing just released this weekend on SATATUHATTA.

Now we have No Bull One Left Behind released on Krim Kram. The artist's 3rd album at this point. A noticeable element right off the bat is the very controlled and musical use of feedback. The frequencies are often shaped or contorted to weave themes and sometimes even what could be considered melodies. There is a lot of tension and suspense in the pieces throughout the release. Not everything is full-blown in the red and bursting at the brim, those moments are rare. Dynamics are highly utilized and those dynamics are one of the very noticeable characteristics that help shape this album. Actually, most of the tracks are very meticulous and calculated. The sounds seem very deliberate and composed.

It's impressive that McCune has mentioned most of his work at this point is composed and that he can even recreate the work a live environment. Very different from the usual when it comes to noise. In the recent WCN interview, McCune mentions coming full circle with noise and to advance it forward, he thinks music elements should be reintroduced into the fold. That is very much found in this release. The structure and shaping of the tracks feel very musical in a way, and there are some more traditional melodies introduced at certain points, however, probably not how you would think.

A thought-provoking and different approach to noise that I find exciting and which is executed very well here. Certainly need to spin this more and spend more time to unlock all of the details.  

Now to re-spin Richter and order the new Scathing collab.

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

Capturing The Wind a Japanese Noise Compilation (Dada Drumming)

What a goddamn lineup. Government Alpha, Endo, scum, ASTRO, Thirdorgan, MO*TE, Spore Spawn, K2, Kazuma Kubota, and many more. Obviously, a geographically-centered compilation capturing the latest from noise veterans and legends at this point. Curation is excellent and the inclusion of some contributors who are a little more obscure, at least to me, makes the compilation even more exciting. Each artist provides a quick 3-minute and highly focused track.

Everyone provided their absolute best and the results are honestly a little astonishing. The pace of each track moves fast and somehow the 14 artists and 48 minutes go by extremely quickly. The sequencing is great and each track flows so well into one another.  There is definitely a commonality of cut-up and expertly edited sounds on high display here.

What surprised me were the tracks that brought a little bit of a slowdown to the mix among the incredibly fast-moving sounds. Track 5 from Kazuya Ishigami brings the first shift in tempo in the best possible way. Things start to float and he makes you pay attention to a more high-detailed and slower style. There are some great edits and sounds he brings in that correlate with the high-speed editing of the previuos tracks, but it's focused and somehow in line with what's come before. Definitely a highlight among the already strong tracks so far. Spore Spawn achieves very similar results with slowing the tempo down on track 11 while still providing an absolutely stunning and highly detailed submission.

A personal note that I've never been much into compilations, but really changed my opinion of that in recent years. This is a great example of why people should pay attention to comps. Great array of artists and sounds you wouldn't be exposed to otherwise. The tracks by Kazuya Ishigama and Hiroyuki Chaba surprised me and I'm going to be researching what I've missed from these artists now.

Highlights: ASTRO, damn this track is good. Endo, scum, Kazuya Ishigama, Thirdogan, Spore Spawn, K2, Kazuma Kubota. Too many!

An incredible compilation that everyone should own, every track is excellent and one of the fastest and most consistent 48 minutes released this year. Don't miss out, seriously!

[cr]

I know it's a fucking cliché, but goddamn, I really hate the summer heat so much!
Time to play some Thomas Köner - Nunatak • Teimo • Permafrost and also Daikan and Novaya Zemlya.

What do you like to listen to on such days? Dog days are still yet to come, so maybe I also rewatch the movie.
But it just gets worse...

[FreakAnimalFinland]

Corral Shut / Residual / Tyhjä Pää / Haudat "4-way split" CD
Satatuhatta
Couple spins of this and that happening after couple Dead Body Love CD's, I am slightly leaning into suggesting "that type of harsh noise" appears here too. The metal packaging /art hints that there is metal junk element - which is true, but also feels like everybody are more into live-action? Less layered, less edited feel, more like very clear and specific harsh sounds being used that ties everybody on the comp together in ways that if you wouldn't know what it is, it theoretically could be one artist as opposed to compilation. At this point, none of artists will surprise you greatly, as they have displayed skills and good taste with their former materials.
https://satatuhatta.bandcamp.com/album/4-way-split

IDLER "Oat" 3"CD
Satatuhatta
Great 20 minute disc with the broken electronics harsh cassette noises. There is no shortage of broken harsh noise these days, but this is good stuff and won't be overdose at this point..
https://satatuhatta.bandcamp.com/album/oaf

Cyess Afxzs & Scathing "Sunken Dimensions" CD
Satatuhatta
This one, absolutely recommended if you feel noise album should be like... proper album. Not just one session of something. Despite it doesn't sound exactly like it, it makes me think of more playful 90's Merzbow stuff. Stuff that is noise, but ain't just all harsh, but somewhere in lineage of Dadarottenvator, Mercuriated, Rainbow Electronics and so on. Always lots of things going on, always lots of thing coming, and listening album few times will not consume it. Just makes you want to re-play more, as there is a lot to be listened.
https://satatuhatta.bandcamp.com/album/sunken-dimension

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

Government Alpha - Obscure Pulsation c45 (Modern Decadence)

Is there anyone better than Mr. Yoshida? Next year would mark the 30-year anniversary of the project based on the 1994 release Doze, which I think is the first publicly available release.

Modern Decadence is one of those labels which all the artists seem to show up for, every release I've grabbed from the label is good. That's absolutely the case here for this tape which is a solid mix of harsh and psychedelic sounds. There is a variety and focus on some digital or modular synth work, but I'm not sure which if not both. Somehow doesn't bother me in his hands at all, unlike other artists that utilize the same tools less effectively. He crafts these sounds very well and if other artists utilized them in the same way, I don't think there would be as much of a debate about their use. Very enjoyable tape.

Also enjoyed his recent interview in the latest issue of the Untitled zine. Discussion about his artwork, motivation to constantly improve, and more. He also talked about the Alphaville LP being one of his proudest moments and I need to dig that back out and give it another spin because it's been a while and it's absolutely a killer release.

Scathing - Reeking Hordes Of Rubble c20 (Fanalstatt)

A different release from Scathing. Not overtly focused on absolute pummeling and fast cut-up harsh noise. This release exhibits a more careful and nuanced approach. Some found sound and carefully manipulated sources. Was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected approach of this tape which highlights that the artist is multi-faceted and extremely skilled in his editing capabilities with various styles. Kenny continues his rampage of excellent releases but some new twists and surprises!

[FreakAnimalFinland]

HEX MINORA "Under Pornographic sun" tape
Pylon
Maybe mid 90's is so far away, but nevertheless, it is almost surprising how you never hear anyone talk about Hex Minora. Thinking how much there must be interest towards "female noise", one would think Hex Minora stuff would be sought after? Not really... One CD collected dust in my store for so many years, I sent it for free to customer who may appreciate it, hah..
Hex Minora is like experimental "heavy electronics". There is small musical element to it - meaning that songs are composed and have specific form. No melody, no beats, just experimental sounds, synth tones, noisy samples, some weirdness too. Not brutally HARSH, but very often more in realms of experimental noisy electronic-drone sound than "power electronics" or such.
Tape packaged in VHS box, with couple insert. One has piece of interview, which in pretty damn funny, haha... I guess it tells nicely about the dilemma how "scene" may want and drools over "female artists", while the actual female artists would just prefer to be artists.
If I'd have chance to interview Hex Minora, I would try to reject the gender questions, but I certainly would want to address some themes of the release. Uhmm.. "Sperm Chocking".. can you elaborate a bit?
Pylon -label did also some other totally overlooked UK power electronics releases, while most remember it from one Con-Dom sermon 7"!

[FreakAnimalFinland]

V/A "Ne - Anthology" 2xCDR
Banner prod
Indeed "Ne" 2xCDR was "merely" kind of best stuff (?) of four different "Ne" -series compilation tapes on Banned Prod. Total length of 3 tapes plust one double tape certainly longer than what went into this double CD. However, it is excellent anthology for anyone who can't access the early 90's original tapes. The Merzbow track alone, 11 minute master-skill blast sounds as if he'd be using partially same source materials like Noisembryo and Artificial Invagination. Noisembryo is probably more famous, but it is funny how it starts with re-cut-up clip known from Artificial Invagination. While typing this, actually skipped to Vasilisk track, so Merzbow will be listened one more time while drinking some coffee.
Compilations like this are so inspiring, even Merzbow alone, when you can compare situation to someone listening new "subgenre noise" comp and thinking "I'll want to start make noise like this", and likelyhood of wanting to sound like X can result they'll sound like X. Grabbing this type of comp, and even Merzbow alone, and thinking I'm going to try make sound like this. Good luck! great thing being that while trying to sound like it, most likely won't, but will end up into something different good...
You can check discogs for details, it is kind of who-is-who of Japanese noise from early 90's, when most guys didn't do utterly HARSH stuff, but more like weird noise.

NOISEUSE / MSBR / GOVERNMENT ALPHA CDR.
Teito
Small edition pro-cdr on Teito is half ok, half great. Noiseuse/MSBR collab totally slays and is really good harsh stuff. MSBR/GA is good, but relies in much more generic synth sounds.

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

Golden Purifier – Ganz Andere c32 (Fanalstatt)

New Golden Purifier is a treat. The project started with two acclaimed tapes in 2022, making many year-end lists. This is the first release of 2023 and released by the German label Fanalstatt. The project is often categorized as folky and occult dark ambient which I think is a somewhat fitting description. 

Out of the two tapes last year, I think I actually preferred II even though Walpurgisopfer is also quite good. The B side of Walpurgisopfer hits some very impressive heights for me but II is more consistent in my opinion.

Ganz Andere consists of haunted soundscapes, ritualistic shadows, and pseudo-rhythmic loops with an ebb and flow which are disorienting. There is a dusty and ancient feel which really brings the occult to mind. The musty atmosphere makes me think the master tape reels have been left in a crypt to naturally decay and putrefy over time.

Quality of this release overall is appreciated. Really nice artwork displayed on heavy and textured A5 paper. Also, the label really took quality in their hands to say the first dubbing was not up to their standard so they had it redone. Love seeing that level of attention to releases.

ZK - Discordia c40 (Absurd Exposition)

This tape is almost the complete opposite of the one above. Choked out frequencies. Maximalist thrashing strangled and shaped by the lack of peak limiters. Sounds fight to the surface and struggle to survive. Dense but the constant dropouts and broken sounds really give it character. Can't recommend it enough.

[coalmouth___]

Opulent Adversary - Close Your Hearts to Pity

HEX MINORA "Under Pornographic sun" tape

long time lurker, first time poster: if i like these, what else will i like?

[Theodore]

Opulent Adversary - Close Your Hearts to Pity

HEX MINORA "Under Pornographic sun" tape

long time lurker, first time poster: if i like these, what else will i like?

Maybe ? https://www.discogs.com/artist/207862-ANTIchildLEAGUE

[Bloated Slutbag]

IDLER "Oat" 3"CD
Satatuhatta
Great 20 minute disc with the broken electronics harsh cassette noises. There is no shortage of broken harsh noise these days, but this is good stuff and won't be overdose at this point..
https://satatuhatta.bandcamp.com/album/oaf

Agreed, on both points! As to the why of it, the latter it—that we're arguably nowhere near reaching a saturation point in the proliferation of more or less "broken" electronics—the subject's been kicking around my head for a little while now. No safe conclusions but the safest musing I might muster starts with the more or less modifier, above, where starts and stops are at best hard to parse. Or put another way, I'd hesitate to situate anything within or without (the oeuvre of broken electronics) but would have less trouble musing or moseying along a path of how more or less broken the electronics of the moment might strike the earholes.

[Commander15]

The Day Of The Antler - Veri Tuli Kuolema CS

Is it heavy electronics, as the "Tammela Highland Heavy Elektroniks"-sticker that came with the ziplock pack suggests, or is it industrial-noise? Nevertheless it is really good, solid slab of industrial- and noise-informed synth action! Moody, brooding feel hangs heavy over the tape, ominous pulses and synth noises remind me more of weather phenomenons than actual music. But no way it is ambient of any sort as it stands firmly on industrial ground. Some effected vocals, some concrete metal(?) sounds and it ends with an suprisingly musical and extremely fitting track, that does remind me of an old krautrock records with its oriental melody theme and rhythmic sequence.

Highly recommended!