PLAYLIST with COMMENTS/REVIEWS

[k.p.g]

Anal Sadist - American Refuse (Tribe Tapes)
Harsh noise from a name unknown to me previously.  I guess there was some Hates/California scene association.  Very good stuff!  Fits right into the Tribe Tapes lineup of things, despite being so harsh.  Beneath the piercing highs and industrial crushing is a hypnotic power to it.  Despite being a compilation, there is an apparent flow that was put into the tracklisting, and it plays out well for a one sitting listening experience.  I am not seeing too much love for it online, so I would recommend on this post that you check it out if you have not yet done so.

Illusion of Safety - RVE (Tribe Tapes, reissue)
Now this is a name I know but have not explored too deeply into.  This lineup of Illusion of Safety features Jim O'Rourke on it, whose noisier output I have been finding myself enjoying more of in recent years.  Similar to Anal Sadist, there is a hypnotic power to this one.  Simple looping and sampling trudges on and on until another part seamlessly blends in.  It gets harsh, it gets quiet, it gets weird.  Despite sounding like it has a diverse array of sounds, they are all spaced out to make the final product remain minimal in presentation.  Good move, I think this works in the album's favor.  And the way it ends especially... ugh... magical!!!!

[Krigsverk]

DN.AIDEATH – SNAKE PIT (CD, Tesco)

The second release from this Indonesian project. Quite a special sound on this one, not the classic "Heavy electronics" even though it probably falls into that category. Lots of distorted synths, muffled voices and sounds buried in the mix. Some tracks might be a bit anonymous and forgettable, but the good ones are in the majority. Strong album. Also be sure to check out the debut tape on de/tainment, all good stuff.

[Krigsverk]

Merzbow - Sporangium (CD, OEC)

2025 recording in three lengthy tracks that starts off with some drone-synth kind of vibe, after a while Masami starts his trademark noisemaking and layers it on top. Second track is nothing out of the ordinary, but the third track is awful. Digital processed "cute melodies" in the background over some digital FX-processed noise. I can´t shake the feeling that some parts of this is not made by Merzbow, but rather made by AI. It just might be that the dreadful AI doodle that makes up the artwork makes me think this, but there is something about the digital processing of the sounds that sounds "not Merzbow" or human. All in all, disappointed.


So back to the classics; spent the week revisiting two of the best albums ever made in great re-issues:

SPK - Information overload unit (CD, OEC)

Total classic. Released in 1981 this is almost a perfect album, however I always thought that the first three tracks are a bit boring. But all is forgiven when Berufsverbot kicks in. Great reissue with booklet containing some info about how it was recorded. Mandatory.

SPK - Leichenschrei (CD, OEC)

And here it is - the defining moment of industrial music IMHO. All the ingredients are here for what later became a genre. Flawless album that still today sends shivers down my spine. It has aged like a fine wine. Even more mandatory.

[k.p.g]

Bob Marinelli - The Combine (Fusty)
Described by my roommate as "the sound of Bob Marinelli trying to combat a Windows 95 virus."  It's a pretty apt description!  It sounds pretty similar to the sets I have seen him do before, and it kicks ass.  Did not tire of this release at any point, which can be pretty rare when it is a C60 of stuff this harsh.

Smell & Quim - The Jissom Killers (Old Captain, reissue)
One of a few CDs picked up this weekend on a trip to New England.  It is a reissue of this release and Jesus Christ in one set.  I had been thinking of grabbing this one for a while now, as I find that the more "serious" Smell & Quim releases function not just as great releases in their discography, but just great noise records to turn anyone onto noise in general.  Anyone who is turned off by their more overtly humorous records can get behind the sound of a record like this or the PURE disc (even if the latter has a silly title).  With that in mind, I found this to be good for a late night drive.  It is creepy as all hell.  It makes sense it was made for Tesco.  Only complaint is that the master is a tad bit quiet, especially for a CD reissue.  We had to crank that sucker in the car to even hear anything. 

The Grey Wolves - Punishment (Tesco, reissue)
A racier title in the group's catalogue proves to still have some solid sound to back it up!  If the goal of Grey Wolves is to get a conversation going, then this one certainly did the trick.  I doubt I need to explain which samples sparked what reactions.  Despite all that though, it was another enjoyable listen.  I have not delved too deeply into the group's catalogue, but between this and early 80's tapes I have been recommended, my interest is piqued.  Only complaint was that my friend bought this disc and I didn't.

Unuseable Signal - Universe in Terrors (American Tapes)
Another great American Tapes title that shows one John Olson going off the beaten path of his usual "chirping feedback" style.  Fans of Atrax Morgue and M.B. would love this one.  It is a dark synth dirge that takes its time to develop over its 19-minute runtime.  Horns do come into play, but only to act as a higher-pitched layer of sound.  No noodling to be had here.  This disc actually received the most play time of any record this weekend, accumulating somewhere between 4-5 listens in 2 days.  Lovely.

[Krigsverk]

Einleitungszeit - Die Menschzerstörung (CD, Phage)

Peak 90´s industrial. Rythmic, distorted, ugly... like early Test Dept had a child with Maschinenzimmer 412, but more aggressive. "Nichts" is a real highlight. Can´t get enough of shit like this.

[k.p.g]

Skin Crime - Lot No. 249 (Self Abuse)
Going through the collection again for potential things to sell.  This tape will not leave.  It is a great representation of what makes modern Skin Crime so great.  Ghoulish sounds churn in the mix before coalescing into one large whirlwind of fiery hell.

Spine Scavenger - Shameful Progress of the Human Face (Hanson)
This tape is much darker than I previously remembered.  I know this is Dilloway's synth project but I always felt that the synth crawls were a little more on the whimsical/weird side.  This one feels like it could have been put out on Slaughter Productions though.  I wonder how much of a fan Aaron is.

Spine Scavenger - Face Mask (Hanson)
Now this one feels a little more in line with what I associate the Michigan/Dilloway sound with.  Love the art on this one too.  It's like hearing a fungus grow out in real time.

[k.p.g]

Wolf Eyes - Black Aroma (American Tapes)
Forgot to mention this one in my earlier listening post but it just came back to memory today.  I am really a fan of the stereo ping-pong going on with this one.  Seems like this is a live set that is looping through the Dilloway tape machine.  Maybe it's run through the Olson/Nate gutted electronics?  Either way, it's great.  Anyone who doesn't find the group to really be noisy ought to check out some of these shorter run works from the 2000s.  It turns the live set into an entirely different beast, feeling more like I got the spins after one too many shots.  Oof, hope I don't fall down!

[Cranial Blast]

Skin Crime - Lot No. 249 (Self Abuse)
Going through the collection again for potential things to sell.  This tape will not leave.  It is a great representation of what makes modern Skin Crime so great.  Ghoulish sounds churn in the mix before coalescing into one large whirlwind of fiery hell.

Spine Scavenger - Shameful Progress of the Human Face (Hanson)
This tape is much darker than I previously remembered.  I know this is Dilloway's synth project but I always felt that the synth crawls were a little more on the whimsical/weird side.  This one feels like it could have been put out on Slaughter Productions though.  I wonder how much of a fan Aaron is.

Spine Scavenger - Face Mask (Hanson)
Now this one feels a little more in line with what I associate the Michigan/Dilloway sound with.  Love the art on this one too.  It's like hearing a fungus grow out in real time.

You'll probably want to continue holding onto that Skin Crime Lot. No 249 tape, that's a great tape! The other Skin Crime tapes released around that same time are also really good! Conqueror Worm one is one my favorites.

[k.p.g]

You'll probably want to continue holding onto that Skin Crime Lot. No 249 tape, that's a great tape! The other Skin Crime tapes released around that same time are also really good! Conqueror Worm one is one my favorites.

That's the plan!  Don't have Conqueror's Worm yet, but I am keeping my eye out for it.  Only one from that time period I am letting go of is Stories and Studies of Strange Things.  Fine tape, but probably the weakest of this new incarnation from the project.
 

[Cranial Blast]

You'll probably want to continue holding onto that Skin Crime Lot. No 249 tape, that's a great tape! The other Skin Crime tapes released around that same time are also really good! Conqueror Worm one is one my favorites.

That's the plan!  Don't have Conqueror's Worm yet, but I am keeping my eye out for it.  Only one from that time period I am letting go of is Stories and Studies of Strange Things.  Fine tape, but probably the weakest of this new incarnation from the project.
 

Yep 100% agree. It's a good tape, but not the best of those. I love the artwork a lot for Stories And Studies Of Strange Things tape though. The one that I believe is based around the cult horror flick The Prowler is really cool too!

[Cranial Blast]

You'll probably want to continue holding onto that Skin Crime Lot. No 249 tape, that's a great tape! The other Skin Crime tapes released around that same time are also really good! Conqueror Worm one is one my favorites.

That's the plan!  Don't have Conqueror's Worm yet, but I am keeping my eye out for it.  Only one from that time period I am letting go of is Stories and Studies of Strange Things.  Fine tape, but probably the weakest of this new incarnation from the project.
 

Yep 100% agree. It's a good tape, but not the best of those. I love the artwork a lot for Stories And Studies Of Strange Things tape though. The one tape with pitch fork killer art, I believe is based around the cult horror flick The Prowler is also really cool artwork as well.

[BatteredStatesofEuphoria]

Agreed with the general sentiment of how good Lot No. 249 is. I'd put it as the best "new" Skin Crime release (talking post Skin Crime LP, which is hardly new anymore) along with the LP itself. The way it builds atmospheres and then explodes is so well crafted and done, really evoking the imagery of a mummy coming alive struggling for breath, and then breaking out of its coffin and rampaging everywhere.

A Soul Eaten By Darkness is really superb as well. I was lucky enough to snag a copy, but it really deserves a bigger edition.

I can understand why Stories... may not get as much love. Its definitely a lot "softer" than anything else they've done. In fact, I don't know if I'd even call it "noise" as such, especially side A. Certainly not harsh noise. That kind of trade mark Skin Crime screech that makes appearances on all their releases is absent for once. But again, the way it sets and holds an atmosphere, perfectly evoking the artwork (or whatever else you want) is something I never get tired of with that tape, especially that kind of moist, watery churn on the A side again.

[Krigsverk]

Peoples Person (CD, Usagi)

In short; Bass heavy harsh noise from Sweden. I was not expecting anything going into this one really, but this one blew me away. There is something special about that overblown bass crunch that is present a lot, also very much action and movement in the sounds. At times there seems to be some loops playing in the chaos - the track "Wrapped in plastic" is a good display of just that, but the harsh noise mayhem is what dominates this disc. This will be spinning a lot this autumn!

[Cranial Blast]

Jason Crumer - Thin Ice

I recently obtained a copy of this album on CD from the gentleman over at Tribe Tapes and I got to say this is one of my favorite Jason Crumer releases. It's equally as much of an ambient album, as a noise album. I quite enjoyed the more minimal use of synth being utilized on this one. One track that really stood out and felt quite powerful was the Echo Halls Of Power. I think those into dark ambient and or dungeon synth might even come to appreciate this one. It appears some copies of the CD included a cigarette inside of the jewel tray spine. I wonder if anyone who got a copy with a cigarette, popped open the jewel case and lit up the cigarette upon listening to this gem! Haha. Great album all the way through!

[k.p.g]

Panicker - Untitled (self-released)
A listen before bed; I dug this out of a bag where I had a copy of Conan the Barbarian stored in.  This is some fine tape abuse.  The A-Side sounds like an orchestra of ripping furniture.  I think the ripping furniture orchestra is a pretty common tactic for tape noisers, but I will never tire of it.  It is just organic aggression at its finest.  I guess it's pretty akin to dropping the big shaker box attack right after the ambient synth fades.  It works!

B-Side is a little more oscillation and murk.  Sounds remind me of MSBR at times.  Good stuff continues.

Packaging also is great, with artwork being printed on very sturdy paper.  Just pulled out one of the pieces and found that it actually folds out into a larger piece of art.  Cool stuff.

Overall, this tape is simply a good introductory piece to the project.  I am sure Panicker has better stuff to come, but for now, this tape is more than sufficient enough to keep the listener invested.  Great stuff.