Prurient – Black Table with the Two Griffins Attacking (Hospital Productions, 2025)
The whole album seems to be conceptually centralized around Jeffrey Dahmer's particular shrine of kinky magic and black spirituality. As mysterious as it is presented, one could simply disregard it as blatant Noise exploitation of true crime – something so far from the truth that it confirms the genre's general elitist output that
those who get it, get it; and those who don't, well. It's interesting to notice how Dominick's approach is so unique that it strays further way than what would yield a cliché repetition of PE's gimmicks. Even when tackling the overly explored territory of someone like the aforementioned serial killer, the presentation of his crimes is not one of mere sadistic voyeurism, but the scrutinization of aspects viewed from a very specific angle of approach, masterfully aestheticized throughout dark ambient passages slithering beneath spoken word documentations, and structured in a pretty much educated manner. Again, not the typical thing.
Pretty obvious to say, once again, how wrong are those who dismiss modern Noise as a vacant space for close-minded purists to wander around, reproducing the same artistic patterns of SJ's WSotG-era with very little variation. Musically, this album is pretty relaxing.
Without Fear opens with a blackened noise cascade that sets up the mood for the whole record to come – yet, with subtle and quieter passages of music which build upon the madness, conceiving an atmospheric, Prurient-ish aura that is to mark its presence as the songs pass by. Overall, this never gets boring; not on the spoken words, nor the music. Itself is reminiscent of
Rainbow Mirror, an album which, in my humble opinion, far surpasses the overly praised
FNF. However, the approach here is more minimalistic and soundtrack-like; which aims less at being an entertaining piece with lots of information than supplying the document with background music. Less abrasive and harsh than earlier Prurient, more ambient and monolithic.
The screeching feedback surges back on
Inside the Ballpoint Pen, but our expectations are drowned out by the repetition of the same melodic motif on the track before. This track is so intense that, listening to it the second time I had to smoke a fag in between, just so to fully handle it. The contrast between this one and the tracks before make the ululating wall of noise sound even rougher.
Artistic integrity comes hand in hand with vision – one that is clearly enough displayed on this release. The description of such reads
noise against free will. Makes me think of the monumental urges and compulsions which have led to the Dahmer's murders, and such music really does justice not only on expression this position but furthermore amounting to a pleasant (if I dare say) listen. I gotta say BTwtTGA revitalizes my faith in music and life, and Noise as a territory ever able to spawn creative outlets that are surprising and finely crafted.
Ka-bar – Unicorn (self-released)
Morbid electronics inspired by Taint, with gruesome sound collages, menacing vocals, and gorgeous low-frequency textures. The cassette starts off with eerie industrial vibes, alongside crashing sounds that fluctuate in the sound into an enormous cacophony of black and white noise. As the track progresses, things get really interesting, with maniacal reverbed vocals justly placed above the music. Just like the album above, this one is aswell based upon the killings of "someone", but I don't know who. Generally formulaic, albeit quite original and inventive.
The concept here is
unicorn as a secret password for children to identify potential abusers from trustworthy people, one that listeners of Sotos's
Proxy will recognize as being present in one of the samples. The sonic template of this release seems to fluctuate around the audio crescendos feedbacks and vocal effects built upon low-frequency droning marks. Quite ferocious and unrelenting, while still maintaining its raw simplicity unscathed.
Acipenseridae – Knochenmühle und Federmahl (vomit chambers production, 2025)
Two tracks largely comprised of walls of noise created by massive pedal work and omnipresent textures. Very little variation, still not as monolithic as a Vomir release would sound like. I can even imagine, even mistaken, the button work on the pedals here, shifting frequencies and drive as they haphazardly collide with one another within cascades of sound. Track #2 is "brighter" than the first one, with waves of higher frequencies once surging in an out, accompanied by some random chicken "cock-a-cocks". Wh's
Daddo comes to mind while listening to this. The ep even comes with a chicken feather embedded inside of it!
Acipenseridae – Fish.Bait.Beauty (vomit chambers production, 2025)
This Project seems to revolve around animals. Very simple, yet effective. Maybe better than the release above described, but that would be on account of it being a full-length, thus allowing more exploration of sounds. It starts off as you'd expect: crunchy, crackling low-frequency noises slowly morphing into ear-puncturing white noise well structured. Acid sounds and raw manifestos of sonic nihilism. Pure bliss.
