PLAYLIST with COMMENTS/REVIEWS

Balor/SS1535 · March 30, 2026, 05:44:55 PM

Quote from: k.p.g on March 30, 2026, 05:00:31 PMKristian Olsson - Genfard (Styggelse)
After purchasing and then obsessively giving the Hospital Productions tape multiple listens this weekend, I have decided to venture further into the Olsson solo works. Taking in this disc from 2017 first. A great slab of ambient dread haunts my headphone speakers now. While pieces remain largely unmoving, there is just enough variation throughout that keeps things in the zone of active listening. Good stuff. Will continue to explore the man's work further.

It's bizarre to me that this album became a meme.

k.p.g · March 30, 2026, 05:51:12 PM

Did it now? In what context? I'm glad I never caught wind of that, as I am not sure if I would've visited it so quick as I did.

k.p.g · March 30, 2026, 06:59:13 PM

John Olson - Crawling Hands (American Tapes)
File under the "reeds and strings" department of the Olzone empire. Despite a shorter runtime than most American releases, it meanders a lot longer than most. Not one of my favorite works of his, but when you've released thousands of recordings in your lifetime, will all of them being solid? Of course not!

Presage - Hair Diaries (White Centipede Noise)
I have known about this project for a little while (namely this tape), but never bothered to check it out. The affiliation with Worth can be felt here, and not just because of their past as bandmates. Mixer feedback sounds like the primary element at play, and it is fucking angry. Tracks work at a short, breakneck pace and never let up until turned off. This one sits in its own lane, separate from its peers. Awesome stuff, just GREAT harsh noise.

Whitehouse - Twice is Not Enough (Susan Lawly)
Been binging the discography of these filthy Euro's as of late. This is the only one I physically own though, having purchased the disc at a record store for a whopping $5 a few years back. Is it the best in the Whitehouse discography? Well, recent listens to the likes of Total Sex and Erector have been pushing against my initial thought of "yes, it is!" But what I will say upon relistening to this is that reaffirms what I think are the best aspects of the group; cavernous synth pulses being mixed with the sounds of William Bennett having a full-blown melt down 50 feet away from you. The percussive elements introduced here are not too overbearing, as it may come to be on later installments.

Yeah, I quite enjoy this stuff. Taking that piercing laptop crap away from me.

NightsAquarium · March 30, 2026, 09:24:32 PM

Quote from: k.p.g on March 30, 2026, 06:59:13 PMPresage - Hair Diaries (White Centipede Noise)
I have known about this project for a little while (namely this tape), but never bothered to check it out. The affiliation with Worth can be felt here, and not just because of their past as bandmates. Mixer feedback sounds like the primary element at play, and it is fucking angry. Tracks work at a short, breakneck pace and never let up until turned off. This one sits in its own lane, separate from its peers. Awesome stuff, just GREAT harsh noise.

This one is as significant and unique of a statement in contemporary harsh noise as anything by former bandmate Worth, which pretty much puts it at the top of the food chain. Shockingly violent and grotesque in its approach, downright unpleasant to listen to, but hiding as much textural and dynamic detail as anything by Crumer, Dilloway, Borges or any other "tasteful" contemporary noise artist I can think of. A CD reissue is long overdue.

Balor/SS1535 · March 30, 2026, 09:25:17 PM

Quote from: k.p.g on March 30, 2026, 05:51:12 PMDid it now? In what context? I'm glad I never caught wind of that, as I am not sure if I would've visited it so quick as I did.

I don't mean a "meme-like" reception of the album, I mean the album cover literally became a meme.

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/chillin-chillen-at-the-structure

k.p.g · March 30, 2026, 09:45:08 PM

Quote from: NightsAquarium on March 30, 2026, 09:24:32 PMbut hiding as much textural and dynamic detail as anything by Crumer, Dilloway, Borges or any other "tasteful" contemporary noise artist I can think of.

Funny, as I actually thought to myself that the lack of dynamics in this was perhaps the greatest selling point for me! It sits in its disgusting filth of mid/high-range attack and is perfectly fine with it. A second listen could open up more for me though.

Always fun to see the different interpretations of what is clearly a beloved work to some. I also wouldn't mind a reissue.

k.p.g · March 31, 2026, 03:58:11 PM

Dead Comet Alive - Universe for One (American Tapes)
Another day, another Olzone. This time, it comes in the form of a single-sided LP from the project I have been wanting to hear for a minute. First track starts off with some heavy turntable usage as a creep of sound just floods the rest of the mix; kind of silly, kind of drugged out. It's one of those rare moments in the AM murk that stands out from your usual mixer feedback and horn-mangled affairs. Second track has a lot more dread built behind it, as it sounds like some rotting creature lurks behind you in shadow.
In a somewhat recent interview (2021?), Olson said that because of the deal he had pressing vinyl, the creation of an LP like this was really no different from the creation of any other tape on American. "It was all the same mission," as a MUG would say. While that may be his point of view, I find the LPs to be an entirely different beast at this point. Maybe it comes down to the visual aesthetics (that being, a small, pasted on poster atop white LP cover), or maybe it's the fact that without the crunch of a tape dub, features of the room recordings are exploited more. Feels like each one of these is a personal vignette that is being played to you directly by John. Love it a lot. I remember a time where I just wasn't an LP man, but these have been part of my journey into learning to embrace the format again.

Various - Circusirus (Petri Supply)
Just an odd collection we have here. Not odd in the usual noise sense, where it's like "oh, Evil Moisture is pretty odd compared to Skin Crime; so silly!" No, I mean just odd. Yeast Culture, Smegma, Ultra and Strength Through Joy are offering up everything from circus music to Swans-esque no wave. It was practically unpredictable to know what would come after each side. I dare not even play the anti-record. Hah. The DIY art and presentation was also a feast for the eyes. Fantastic stuff.

Leewar · March 31, 2026, 05:15:21 PM

Various – U.K. Electronics Vol 1

Always a interesting listen, the weird and the wonderful.

HateSermon · April 03, 2026, 10:31:48 PM

Night Wolf - Satyriasis CD. Freak Animal.
Great atmosphere on this one. First track is unbelievably harsh -- signals pushed so hard at times that the sound is blown out. Love it. Bessac sounding like an absolute maniac. Rest of the CD slowly descends into a dark, moody atmosphere that's kind of cinematic in a way. Seedy whorehouse vibes where maybe the patrons are there for more than just sex...used and discarded. Very bleak release. Highly recommended.

Prolepsis - Soulsore CD-R. Self released.
Had the pleasure of seeing Prolepsis live last weekend and picked up this self released disc. 16 minutes jam packed with harsh noise bliss. Sometimes relentless scrap abuse, other times more cut-up technical style. Lots going on here in a short amount of time. Ending techno bit was a strange but nice touch. Special mention to the packaging - it's a standard jewel case but the labels are applied in an interesting way and the graphics are minimal but work well together. I respect anyone who puts a little extra time and effort when doing this shit yourself. Separates ya from the herd.

Minus1 · April 05, 2026, 03:27:46 AM

Sunn O))) - Sunn O))).

ie The brand new 80min Motherfucker, featuring sounds made by ONLY the duo, which is new, I suppose.

(Does Sunn O))) qualify in a Noise forum? I think guitar+ dronage belongs.)

Some reviews be like "no surprises", and I suppose I agree! Is that a bad thing though? I think here, on album 10, we strip it right down to What Really Matters. I don't give a fuck if this 80min sounds "samey" throughout. Cut the bells and whistles. Give me epic fucking guitar dronage and riffage, and keep it simple!

I fucking love this record. (And the piano ending.)

Minus1 · April 06, 2026, 04:43:32 AM

Sulfuric Cautery - Subsequent Torture Sessions (2019-2021) and Consummate Extirpation (2025).

65min of SC in one sitting might fuck me up!

The first (comp) is epic Goregrind, with 30x 1min+ ish (average) tracks.

The second is a bit of a left turn for the band...with longer "songs" and...gasp...lyrics...in a more cleaner sounding Death Metal type setting.

Isaac Horne really is from another planet.

Although both discs sit in different rooms of the house, I think plenty here does bleed into oneanother. I hear some riffage on the first disc. I even sensed a bit of drone here and there.

These guys do a LOT in this house! I never get a sense of "Oh, it is all the same". There's so many different drumming, vocal, guitar ideas on display, within the parameters of what SC does.

I must admit that I like the older disc a bit more than the latter though. Much more vomit! 😂

But this entire 65min was immense fun.

Minus1 · April 08, 2026, 04:06:11 AM

Edit: Full experience below.

Minus1 · April 09, 2026, 03:30:23 AM

Baculum - I Would Rather Feel Empty Than Full Of False Hopes (2CD).

CD1 - 5 tracks / 59+ min.
CD2 - 14 tracks / 60+ min.

I know dickall about Baculum. But there it was at The Cavity in Victoria BC, it is Phage Tapes, it is mastered by Grant Richardson, and it was $10. What else does one need to know? 😂

Well, only that this comp is fucking epic!

The official blurb states: "I would rather feel empty than full of false hopes is 2 discs (roughly 2 hrs) of reissue harsh noise. The first disc is 5 long form tracks of mostly metal abuse harsh noise. The second disc contains shorter tracks with a range of focus from cut ups to texture examination."

Well, yes!

I think Baculum is a one-man show. Discogs yields not much else. (Edit: In fact, he is fuckin Mr Phage?) 😂

The last 30min of disc 1 deserves special mention: 2 parts of There Was So Much Blood You Could Taste The Iron. This is seriously wonderful HNW type scrapings. I think I taste iron! Really fucking powerful, deep, breathtaking Noise. Some of the best I've ever heard. Wow. I need to research this particular release.

I'm thrilled with this treasure hunt!

CD2 is just as great, and naturally more varied. But there is still plenty of the abuse found on CD1.

What a fantastic 2CD.

(In my OCD way, I wish the discs were reversed. That's how I will play it from now on.)

Balor/SS1535 · April 09, 2026, 06:57:26 AM

Today's traffic music was Polar Nights Live by Hijokaidan. This is the only Hijokaidan CD that I own, and I feel so lucky every time that I listen to it given that I found it used for a comparative bargain at my local record store. Three tracks that are all different but cool in their own way.

Track one is Hijokaidan proper, Jojo on guitar and Junko shrieking. Solid and punishing noise, though the vocals a re a bit buried---which I honestly appreciate, as Junko's voice is not always to my liking.

Track two is Jojo playing with the guitarist Per Gisle Galåen. Atmospheric at moments, pensive even. Monumentally harsh nonetheless.

Track three is probably my least favorite. Junko is collaborating with Sten Ove Toft on electronics. This one really centers Junko's voice (I think Toft is processing them in some way), so I really need to be in the right mood!

Antihumanism · April 09, 2026, 07:07:54 AM

Quote from: Minus1 on April 09, 2026, 03:30:23 AMBaculum - I Would Rather Feel Empty Than Full Of False Hopes (2CD).

CD1 - 5 tracks / 59+ min.
CD2 - 14 tracks / 60+ min.

I know dickall about Baculum. But there it was at The Cavity in Victoria BC, it is Phage Tapes, it is mastered by Grant Richardson, and it was $10. What else does one need to know? 😂

Well, only that this comp is fucking epic!

The official blurb states: "I would rather feel empty than full of false hopes is 2 discs (roughly 2 hrs) of reissue harsh noise. The first disc is 5 long form tracks of mostly metal abuse harsh noise. The second disc contains shorter tracks with a range of focus from cut ups to texture examination."

Well, yes!

I think Baculum is a one-man show. Discogs yields not much else. (Edit: In fact, he is fuckin Mr Phage?) 😂

The last 30min of disc 1 deserves special mention: 2 parts of There Was So Much Blood You Could Taste The Iron. This is seriously wonderful HNW type scrapings. I think I taste iron! Really fucking powerful, deep, breathtaking Noise. Some of the best I've ever heard. Wow. I need to research this particular release.

I'm thrilled with this treasure hunt!

CD2 is just as great, and naturally more varied. But there is still plenty of the abuse found on CD1.

What a fantastic 2CD.

(In my OCD way, I wish the discs were reversed. That's how I will play it from now on.)

Indeed very good, got also couple tapes of him which are equally good.