PLAYLIST with COMMENTS/REVIEWS

[SSRI]

Bastard Noise & Bizarre Uproar: Galactic Penitentiary CD

Very good disc and pretty much what you'd expect if you put these two together. Metal sounds and heavier electronics are presumably BU and spacier stuff from BN. If I understood the credits correctly, both have submitted raw sounds to a pro sound engineer who has put the whole together, under the supervision of Wood I'm sure. There are lyrics in both Finnish and English that put the decline of humanity on display. Markkula's vocals are more subdued, but Wood goes hysteric-woman-meets-King-Diamond, especially on the second track. Just brilliant. There are two long tracks and both are very well constructed with seamless flow. There are some bird chirping synth sounds that usually give me rash on the brain, but here they are mixed well enough with other sounds so they don't get annoying. The only thing I would've liked different was the lengthy space trip ending of the second track. It was good as such, but I hoped for an end with a bang. Maybe it was the galactic penitentiary fading away into the void.

Good-looking letterpressed 7" size cardboard covers and a large insert with familiar Bastard Noise style layout.

I'm glad that even in these times of culture wars (whether real or superficial/imagined) Markkula and Wood keep collaborating.

A bit of interpretation still. BU worships downfall of humanity while BN is blatant misanthropy. Both valid approaches of course. Therefore: BU = love and BN = hate.

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

Cyess Afxzs - Was That Always There? (Input Error)

A fairly unique entry into the Cyess Afxzs catalogue. Stuart pushes his sound further into new territories.

For those that remember the WCN interview, Stuart discusses that to do something new with noise, he has a preference to insert musicality or more traditional musical elements. He's done this very successfully in the past, in my opinion, and maybe most notably with recent collabs with Scathing or the Sundial Sessions album among others.

Was That Always There? is another musical noise endeavor in that it utilizes more traditional instrumentation, perhaps more bluntly than on most other releases. Joining Stuart on the album is a drummer. This addition could be perceived as a return to Cyess Afxzs' earlier roots as it initially started out as a duo with a drummer.

The drumming is very much an improvisational drumming approach ala Hijokaidan of the last decade or a jazz fusion drummer even. Not in the abstract Eddie Prevost style ala AMM or similar. Stuart utilizes electronics, but I think I also hear guitar, wind or brass instruments, and piano or keyboard.

The album very much feels like a live "noise band" scenario with electronics and layering of sounds accompanying the drums and vice versa. However, it sounds more composed than just jamming and doesn't sound anything like Borbetomagus or Wasteland Jazz Unit, etc. A couple of spins, and I'm intrigued, but I will admit sometimes the drums are so upfront, they can be a little distracting and a little too upfront in my opinion. Maybe it's because I'm still listening and framing this as a noise release, when it's different than a traditional noise album. I have the same issues with the drumming on some Hijokaidan albums as well.

I'm a big fan of Cyess Afxzs and the unique approach to noise that Stuart takes. I will say that I don't think everyone will like this album, however, I can say it's a unique listen, and I have not heard many albums that sound like this in the noise realm.

I appreciate that Stuart is out there exploring and trying to push the traditions of what we consider noise, and each album is uniquely Cyess Afxzs.

[lagrgal]

Reptilian Sexual Predator - Tangipahoa Parish Live CDr (Vulvania Editions, 2013)

An absolutely astounding work from my favorite P.E. band and the last release of theirs for me to finish the discography. Powerful all the way, although with moments of contrast and falls to silence that quickly get interrupted by a wave of hot synthy avalanche of might. Donald Duck vocals of Mr. Gates and Banshee vocals of Mrs. Gates stay undefeated, a great selection of tracks, samples by which one can memorize the diary of Anne Frank in its entirety, sludgy bass and screeching high sounds that blend in exquisitely, as well as some ambient moments that are showcased best in their Death Camp U.S.A. or Anticommunion�/�Nexus. Definitely a contender for the title of their best release.

Audax Italiano - Vivere Contro CDr (Sin Organisation, 2001)

This appears to be the only release of this project, and while it's pretty close to my expectations this could benefit a lot from some vocals or different mixing. Even just sampling speeches / TV commentary / movies etc would make it much more immersive and atmospheric. Without any of the mentioned it's just two-three synth tracks laid together which is not bad at all, but definitely feels like the album's lacking something. Other than that, well composed and together with the presentation stands out from the "typical" P.E. topics.

Peiste - Live Two Thousand And Nine Tape (Violent Revolution International, 2009)

Love this. Quite versatile, very ethereal, very experimental, but side A's a bit quiet on my copy. Reminiscent of 80's industrial, while still utilizing elements rather uncommon in that era (i.e. acoustic strings, field recordings and very soft ambient pads/drones). Intrigued for more of this project.

[k.p.g]

Alfarmania/Proiekt Hat - Distant Space Confined (Hospital Productions)
A long and winding collaborative effort that exists in a very kraut-centric direction with its synth work.  There is a shining black metal moment that wraps you in on Side B.  Slowly you start to listen to it evaporate into the atmosphere of this dirge.  Think the more recent Kristian Olsson to come out on Hospital is more my speed, but this one still made for an entertaining listen.

Aube/The Haters - Splinter Clear Cut/Joyous Smash (Freak Animal)
Solid showing from both parties here!  This is probably my favorite solo Aube material that I have heard to date.  Tracks slowly building to these pulsating rhythms that knock you over the head just long enough to make you miss 'em when they're pulled away from you.  The Haters portion is pretty self-explanatory; lots of glass being smashed in high definition.  When it's on tape, such a sound feels like it could be happening in your kitchen, super domestic.  On a recording like this though, it's fucking HEAVY.  Feels like you are being smashed with a million vases in the middle of a busy parkway lane.  Wow.

Jeph Jerman - Keep the Drum: Concussion Solos (New Forces, reissue)
It is as percussive (concussive) as the title suggests!  Sounds like he's playing this kit above a mountain.  Maybe he is.  I noticed as the day went on, my listenings went from spacier sounds to this; a record that is as earthy as you can get.  I think it's this drab, cold weather getting to me. 
But back to the actual record itself - I like what Jerman went for here.  I imagine nothing here that is used would resemble a "conventional" drum of sorts, and yet it all sounds like various percussive toys I have see over the years of watching different drummers do their thing.  It's crude, but not overbearing in its harshness.  Excellent material.  File under "domestic noise"

[k.p.g]

Alfarmania/Proiekt Hat - Distant Space Confined (Hospital Productions)
A long and winding collaborative effort that exists in a very kraut-centric direction with its synth work.  There is a shining black metal moment that wraps you in on Side B.  Slowly you start to listen to it evaporate into the atmosphere of this dirge.  Think the more recent Kristian Olsson to come out on Hospital is more my speed, but this one still made for an entertaining listen.

Aube/The Haters - Splinter Clear Cut/Joyous Smash (Freak Animal)
Solid showing from both parties here!  This is probably my favorite solo Aube material that I have heard to date.  Tracks slowly building to these pulsating rhythms that knock you over the head just long enough to make you miss 'em when they're pulled away from you.  The Haters portion is pretty self-explanatory; lots of glass being smashed in high definition.  When it's on tape, such a sound feels like it could be happening in your kitchen, super domestic.  On a recording like this though, it's fucking HEAVY.  Feels like you are being smashed with a million vases in the middle of a busy parkway lane.  Wow.

Jeph Jerman - Keep the Drum (Concussion Solos) (New Forces, reissue)
It is as percussive (concussive) as the title suggests!  Sounds like he's playing this kit above a mountain.  Maybe he is.  I noticed as the day went on, my listenings went from spacier sounds to this; a record that is as earthy as you can get.  I think it's this drab, cold weather getting to me. 
But back to the actual record itself - I like what Jerman went for here.  I imagine nothing here that is used would resemble a "conventional" drum of sorts, and yet it all sounds like various percussive toys I have see over the years of watching different drummers do their thing.  It's crude, but not overbearing in its harshness.  This "small sounds" concept the artist speaks of works out very well here, as miniscule source makes for BIG SOUNDS.  Excellent material.  File under "domestic noise"

[RBN JHN]

RMSS - Engram CD (Freak Animal)

I enjoyed this CD quite a bit. Definitely has some interesting textures and industrial atmosphere. At times sounding a bit dark ambient even. Conjures up feelings of being in a black and white dream where everything feels abandoned and desolate. At least that was the feelings I got from it. The album has a nice subtle quality about it to, that feels very still. I'd recommend this one to those whom appreciate HÖH, but think this could appeal to those perhaps into any kind of noise. Definitely will be checking more out by RMSS!

Thanx for the recommendation! Immediately added it to my order and not regretting it for a moment. Came in today and it's on repeat.

[Cranial Blast]

RMSS - Engram CD (Freak Animal)

I enjoyed this CD quite a bit. Definitely has some interesting textures and industrial atmosphere. At times sounding a bit dark ambient even. Conjures up feelings of being in a black and white dream where everything feels abandoned and desolate. At least that was the feelings I got from it. The album has a nice subtle quality about it to, that feels very still. I'd recommend this one to those whom appreciate HÖH, but think this could appeal to those perhaps into any kind of noise. Definitely will be checking more out by RMSS!

Thanx for the recommendation! Immediately added it to my order and not regretting it for a moment. Came in today and it's on repeat.

No problem at all. I've listened to it a couple times too. Definitely a really great release and will be looking into other RMSS releases as well.

[SSRI]

RMSS - Engram CD (Freak Animal)

I enjoyed this CD quite a bit. Definitely has some interesting textures and industrial atmosphere. At times sounding a bit dark ambient even. Conjures up feelings of being in a black and white dream where everything feels abandoned and desolate. At least that was the feelings I got from it. The album has a nice subtle quality about it to, that feels very still. I'd recommend this one to those whom appreciate HÖH, but think this could appeal to those perhaps into any kind of noise. Definitely will be checking more out by RMSS!

Thanx for the recommendation! Immediately added it to my order and not regretting it for a moment. Came in today and it's on repeat.

No problem at all. I've listened to it a couple times too. Definitely a really great release and will be looking into other RMSS releases as well.

His Lihasmuisti CD on Satatuhatta is equally good I think. The track on the latest Terässinfonia compilation was fun. It felt like a full length CD compressed into five minutes.

[RBN JHN]

Thanks for the tip. Will put it on my next order. Got the new Terassinfonia 8 yesterday but have to play it yet. Looking forward to hear it.

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

Various – The End For Simulation Of Pro-Creation (Institute Of Paraphilia Studies)

Originally released on tape in 2007. Reissued in 2018 on CD. The artwork is one of the most blunt covers, even by IOPS standards.

Four projects represented. Each project get's two tracks. All various angles of the depravity of Mikko Aspa.

Grunt: The tracks are "15 Min Insipration" and "Toilet Fuck." Both are fierce. The notes say that these tracks are feedback + VFX & vocals only. People who like early Grunt and stripped down Power Electronics will love this. Really bare bones, yet emphatic and visceral PE. Excellent material.

Silence of Vacuum: I wasn't familiar with this project at all before listening to this comp. Not PE, at least in tradition. A study of noise textures. If the name is to be taken literally, it actually sounds like a vacuum sucking the air out of a rubber suit. Can it be that simple? Maybe! However, the second track in particular explores the nuances and textures in an interesting way.

Dorchester Library: From the somewhat subtle and gradual shifting tones of Silence of Vacuum, we are thrown into the violent bursts of harsh noise that is Dorchester Library. Fast-paced and ripping. It took me a moment to realize, but there are drums buried under a veil of harsh electronics. Mikko may have taken a Creamface, or other spastic drum session, and added harsh electronics on top! Think Hijokaidan King of Noise with metal or grindcore drums.

Clinic of Torture: We return to a more traditional PE or industrial realm. An immense amount of reverb for metal destruction and samples, and some kind of oscillation or synth abuse. Whatever is being done here feels dirty and unclean.

A really excellent comp of projects. I can't help but think of the K2 Kinky comp reissued on New Forces where every band or project is the same person expressing themselves across multiple avenues. We need more one-person comps. It's really fucking good!

[Cranial Blast]

Clinic Of Torture - Memento Of Punishment CD (IOPS)

A very interesting live performance on this one and perhaps now my favorite Clinic Of Torture release yet. The album starts off with the longest track and most interesting composition over the album. First track intros with this distorted synth that builds this really stark atmosphere, that is almost hard to put into words, but sounds excellent and really captures the mood! It properly lays the ground work for what lies ahead, which is some nice junk metal under reverb, giving the sounds such a close up, gives lots of great depths and range across the track. The other tracks on the album give a nice torment to the ears with lots of loud piercing shrills and buzzing sounds. It's perfectly balanced in the sense that it feels like audio torment. All of the sounds culminate nicely in the mix, giving good climax for the performance as a whole. The last track really builds in a fury of tearing distortion and more feedback shrills, definitely a nice closing track in contrast to where it all started from the beginning. This is easily one of my favorite releases this year and the packaging is prepared nicely, just like some of the other previous IOPS releases like Steel Corset, Anatomical Venus, ect. I'm not sure exactly where this live performance was captured, but whomever was there to capture this moment in time, I'd consider them very lucky!

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

Grunt – Kiveen Ikuistettu (Freak Animal)

Absolutely gorgeous packaging on this new release. The CD is housed in a 52 page hardcover book with the photography work of Mr. Aspa. One of the most professional and beautiful noise packages in recent memory.

The CD itself documents two live gigs. 6 tracks recorded live in Kaarina, Finland 3.5.2025 and a single long track recorded live in Lahti, Finland on 14.12.2024.

The sounds on the first gig are varied across the ~23 minute set. The opening track sounds similar to the latest Karike CD. Very raw and very minimal metal scraping. It's very organic sounding and electronics are only added sparingly to evoke atmosphere. The remaining songs venture into more traditional PE territory with industrial loops, vocals, and what I assume is a synth.

The PE focused tracks at times remind me of material close to Petturien Rooli or World Draped In A Camouflage. This is very much a set of pre-determined songs and not improvisational in nature. The tracks flow and segue into one another nicely and feels like a very composed and well intentioned mini-album or EP.  It's interesting to hear such well developed songs executed in a live setting. Seems like the crowd enjoyed it as well due to the enthusistic cheers at the end!

The second gig starts off in a somewhat similar nature to the first gig with organic metal scraping and jostling. This time there is some mal-adjusted feedback simmering like rattle snake ready to strike. However! There is quite the level of dynamics to this one. I won't overtly detail what it sounds like as it's somewhat different. I really enjoyed how this one develops. I like that Grunt as a project has been stretching out and exploring various styles in the last few years.

Rautakymi – Ei Tästä Maailmasta (Freak Animal)

Debut CD by this contemporary Finnish artist. Tribe Tapes had re-issued the Pinta tape earlier this year, so I'm somewhat familiar with the previous work. Pinta is one of only two tapes from the artist before this album.

This continues the very raw straight to 4-track noise approach. It has a warmth and slight murkiness from recording straigh to tape. It's not easy to tell what each source is which adds to the enigmatic nature of the sounds for me.

I hear a lot of metal scrapping tape loops manipulated in a variety of manners. There are also a lot of filter sweeps and/or phaser effects of some sort. Backward tape loop sounds and very murky crumbling textures.

I wouldn't say it's straight harsh noise, it's definitely a little experimental while playing in the harsh noise sandbox. I think I need to relisten to Pinta, because I remember that being more straight ahead.

I was curious about the titles so I asked Google to translate. The album title "Ei Tästä Maailmasta" in English roughly translates to "Out of this world" which is a very fitting title. The sounds do actually feel somewhat alien, or maybe paranormal? There is also some sort of theme of science and knoweldge if you look up the other titles and a fitting sample on the latter half of the album.

Very unique sounds and I'm still wrapping my head around it. Will be giving it more spins in the upcoming week.

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

Vile Vulgar - Private Art (Institute Of Paraphilia Studies)

Anonymous project on the IOPS label. Similar to the old adage, "all women on the internet are men until proven otherwise," I assume all IOPS projects are Mikko until proven otherwise.

The sounds on here are very cavernous and decrepit PE/industrial sans vocals. It's heavy on atmosphere. Metal scraping, barrel bashing, and synths. I remember reading someone guessed this was an anonymous Keith Brewer release.

It's a very good guess, as there is a lot of metal and synth work throughout that's comparable to the last couple of Mania tapes like All Aftermath or Hardly Lethal. Speaking of Hardly Lethal, the inner artwork on Vile Vulgar is suspiciously similar to the color palette and style of the artwork on that release...

For some reason though, this one feels like Mikko to me, however, I could easily be wrong. Contextual clues point to Keith. Either way, if you are a fan of Mania or Grunt, this one fits nicely in between the sounds of the two projects, and you won't be disappointed.

[HateSermon]

Vile Vulgar - Private Art (Institute Of Paraphilia Studies)

Anonymous project on the IOPS label. Similar to the old adage, "all women on the internet are men until proven otherwise," I assume all IOPS projects are Mikko until proven otherwise.

The sounds on here are very cavernous and decrepit PE/industrial sans vocals. It's heavy on atmosphere. Metal scraping, barrel bashing, and synths. I remember reading someone guessed this was an anonymous Keith Brewer release.

It's a very good guess, as there is a lot of metal and synth work throughout that's comparable to the last couple of Mania tapes like All Aftermath or Hardly Lethal. Speaking of Hardly Lethal, the inner artwork on Vile Vulgar is suspiciously similar to the color palette and style of the artwork on that release...

For some reason though, this one feels like Mikko to me, however, I could easily be wrong. Contextual clues point to Keith. Either way, if you are a fan of Mania or Grunt, this one fits nicely in between the sounds of the two projects, and you won't be disappointed.

Excellent tape. For me, all signs point to Keith and I've left it at that. But... maybe there were others involved? At the end of the day, I'd rather it remain a mystery. Glad this tape is kept in print. 

[k.p.g]

Dorchester Library: From the somewhat subtle and gradual shifting tones of Silence of Vacuum, we are thrown into the violent bursts of harsh noise that is Dorchester Library. Fast-paced and ripping. It took me a moment to realize, but there are drums buried under a veil of harsh electronics. Mikko may have taken a Creamface, or other spastic drum session, and added harsh electronics on top! Think Hijokaidan King of Noise with metal or grindcore drums.

I remember hearing this project for the first time at a New York apartment as the sun was rising, having gotten no sleep.  Pretty stark contrast from what I knew of Mikko's other work.  Project has always remained pretty mythical to me since, even if I did ask the person who put it on to turn it off so I could finally sleep.