PLAYLIST with COMMENTS/REVIEWS

[k.p.g]

Lieutenant Colonel Cooter - Substandard Operating Procedures (Covert Operations of Terroristic Intelligence Reconnaissance Special Forces)
Power Electronics for the age of terror and misinformation!  A couple of listens in the past left me not entirely enthused by this material, but something just clicked in this round.  The A-Side falls more into the area of "audio collage" than noise for the most part, as news clips that are spliced and panned dominate the mixer far more than any other sound source for a majority of the runtime.  Ends up in a noisy burst, but that is only after a crude cover of Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Getting Back Together" ends (talk about terror, huh?).  B-Side has more creeping noise and synth work from the jump, but is still playing the backing track to some George W. Bush press conference clips. 
Pretty great release all around.  I would recommend this for anyone who is into the conceptual end of PE and isn't afraid of the "new breed."

Nurse with Wound - Salt Marie Celeste (United Dairies)
Probably not an uncommon position to say that the more ambient / drone-laden material of this group is by far its most interesting stuff.  This particular piece has always stood out to me as the crowning achievement of the group though (and this is coming from a guy who has one of those huge Soliloquy for Lilith boxsets before he's ever even owned a copy of this).  My history with this piece runs sort of deep.  I first listened to the version that appeared on the Current 93 split, Music for the Horse Hospital, whilst coming down from a particularly negative acid trip in my bathtub.  That version is much less engaging, moving with just the same non-changing, enveloping drone for about an hour.  Nonetheless, I understood the general horror that resided in this piece and it's been embedded in my soul ever since.
The version that appears here adds more variety to the sound, as various creaks and chatters are added and removed from the mix as time passes.  I used to think it was sort of "corny" to have these movements make their way in, but older ears (and less drugs) have led me to become more appreciative of just how much they add here.  I think of a ship lost at sea, with an army of locusts devouring the crew present on it.  The darkness that this piece emotes is not forcing you to "feel" any such way as a lot more "emotive" noise does, and that might be why I feel so damn much from it.  It doesn't care if you engage with it or not, it will still be here, droning on and terrorizing for eternity.  This piece feels like it exists outside of any regular convention of time or space, which is how I have always felt Nurse with Wound as a whole has operated.  This is sound from the great beyond.

[Obedient2]

Did anyone get the recent Maskhead that came in the metal box and care to share thoughts? Been considering. Love the track on the Hateful Bliss comp.

Linekraft- Human Warfare 2 listens in and don't have a whole ton to say yet but it's good. Quite restrained but some tracks around the middle really stand out, particularly the vocals and effects on them. I can never quite reconcile how intense this project is live with how restrained it is on record.

e: corrected name of comp

[SSRI]

Did anyone get the recent Maskhead that came in the metal box and care to share thoughts? Been considering. Love the track on the Violent Pleasures comp.

If you mean Hateful Bliss compilation, the Maskhead CD is quite a lot in the same style as their track there but more varied. Recommended and the pressing isn't huge.

[k.p.g]

Due Process - Gods Favorite Noise (Not on Label)
After yesterday's RRRon interview, how could I not throw on something featuring him?!  Now I originally rifled for my Emil tape with the same name, but maybe I just never had that one?  I'm not sure, will have to dig through the boxes again.  For now though, we have Due Process, who are a formidable force in their own right!  I have a feeling this tape ended up becoming a future RRRadio release, as the audio is clearly borrowed from one of those sessions.  This one is a bit looser in pacing than those more proper, widely released sessions though.  Still, it makes for a very fun and soupy slice of domestic noise trippery that you can let your mind melt into.  Favorite portion is probably when RRRon and some caller start dueting on Flipper's "Way of the World."  Hah.

[Obedient2]

Did anyone get the recent Maskhead that came in the metal box and care to share thoughts? Been considering. Love the track on the Violent Pleasures comp.

If you mean Hateful Bliss compilation, the Maskhead CD is quite a lot in the same style as their track there but more varied. Recommended and the pressing isn't huge.

I meant hateful bliss yeah! Thanks

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

AMM with Sachiko M - Testing (Matchless Recordings, 2025)

A 2004 recording of Prevost and Tilbury performing with Sachiko M.

Between this and the 2026 AMM release, Phlegm, it seems Prevost has been digging through the archives. Unfortunately, members of AMM have experienced severe enough health issues that led to the group officially disbanding in 2022. Tilbury is now 90 and hasn't been able to travel for some time, I believe.

While it's certainly sad that such an important group in experimental and improvisational music is no longer creating new music, it seems we may be treated to the occasional gem from the archives from time to time. Some silver lining.

The notes mention that this performance took place in an old stone de-sanctioned church. There is a low rumbling throughout the performance that I can't tell if it's from the natural acoustics of the venue or one of the performers. It adds a feeling of subterranean space and menace at times that makes the performance unique.

The trio works incredibly well together. Prevost performs various percussive instruments, Tilbury, of course, on the piano, and Sachiko M performing sinewaves. Sachiko plays a very subtle background role to Prevost and Tilbury throughout and rarely pushes herself to the forefront. She blends in with the other members flawlessly. Some of the higher cymbal bowing Prevost creates complements Sachiko's sinewaves beautifully and vice versa. The sinewaves never get aggressive or painful, but generally remain at a low or mid-level volume to create a blanket of sound for Prevost or Tilbury to react to and build off of.

I listened to this in a darkened room with minimal distractions, except the CD booklet with liner notes. The Jeph Jerman WCN podcast recently made me realize it's become rare for me to "listen" without distractions, and I want to work on that. This was a fantastic album choice to reacquaint myself with deeper listening again.

[k.p.g]

Samuel Clemons - Recycled (RRR)
Fitting to play this after the RRRon interview, as we have another instance of an eager 13-year old going totally insane to make some harsh noise on the Recycled series!  I have learned of Sam's enthusiasm and obsessive noise intake in the last 6 months or so, and I am totally enthused.  Picking up this tape was a no-brainer for me.  According to the kid, it utilizes a custom made anti-record, in honor of RRRon!  Awesome.  But what's even better is it is not even a record, but rather a CD that he cut his own grooves into before putting on the turntable.  I love it!
Sound wise, it is just straight up murky turntable abuse of the cruddiest degree.  Recorded at pretty pristine quality though, so this single sound source becomes more meditative than anything else.  Look forward to hearing how this young buck continues to rise.

Thomas D'Angelo - Voiceprints & Aircuts: Sound Poetry by Other Means (Adhuman)
It's only taken me about a couple years to finally put this one on.  Have read and heard much praise about it, and I am quite fond of the man's other works.  Perhaps this title just wasn't inviting me to listen until today.  So, sound poetry.  What is it?  Is this "good" sound poetry?  I can't say, I am not deep into that world myself.  The viewpoint I can look at this recording though is from that of an avid noise listener, and I can say that what Thomas has made here is certainly an intriguing listen that immediately invites the thought of a second listen upon completion.  Sounds go between readings of both original and lifted readings and crude noise made by your usual crude means (broken instruments, broken tape players, etc.). This is clearly a guy who knows how to make fried out excellence, and none of the reading / field recorded sections sound like "lazy" additions or interludes by any mean.   What I am saying is this thing has some GREAT flow as longform piece.
The supplemental reading material with this record will give you a far greater appreciation from track to track, but it is not required to enjoy from just a simple sound perspective. And when you have a piece that can be enjoyed in a multitude of thinking states, whether complex or simple, then you really have something special.  Great stuff.

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

AMM - Phlegm (Matchless Recordings, 2026)

2026 release of a 2015 performance. If I'm interpreting the liner notes correctly, this was the first reunion of Prevost and Tilbury with Keith in a decade. On the 50th anniversary of AMM's formation, no less.

The title will certainly draw attention. AMM are not known for the dramatics. So why the dramatic title?

A particular audience member added their own audible contributions to this live recording. There is noticeable coughing at the start of the disc which dissipates as the performance goes on. Mainly within the first 10 minutes or so.

Eddie laments about this heavily in the liner notes. The reluctance to release the recording was originally due to his annoyance. It is more prevalent at the start and is far less noticeable throughout the rest of the performance. There is also discussion about whether this distraction was purposefully done by the audience member or not, which feels a bit paranoid, but perhaps there are politics in the electro-acoustic scene I am unaware of.

With this distraction aside, it is quite a strong performance. I need to revisit the Unintended Legacy CD set, which captures 3 other reunion performances with Keith in 2015 and 2016, to see how they compare and if this bests any of them.

Phlegm does feel a bit more active, and perhaps even more "loud" at times, compared to other AMM performances. Perhaps except for The Crypt. Especially in comparison to the Prevost and Tilbury duo performances of recent times. But it's not Keith making the extra noise. Eddie is creating a rich variety of harmonics with his cymbal and drum work throughout. Perhaps his agitation with this audience member led to his extra flagrant performance.

I'm glad Eddie decided to release this over a decade later. The "Phlegm" at the start of the disc, while distracting, does not hinder a strikingly strong performance and special reunion of the group.

[NedOik]

A particular audience member added their own audible contributions to this live recording. There is noticeable coughing at the start of the disc which dissipates as the performance goes on. Mainly within the first 10 minutes or so.

This made me laugh, some delicious irony in the fact that AMM who made manifestos about being completely open to any noise and being totally spontaneous get riled over someone coughing. They are lucky no one brought a crying baby to the gig or sat in a squeaky chair.

[Cranial Blast]

Priest In Shit - The Virgin Ritual And Heavenly Nothing CD (Black Artifact)

I quite enjoyed this album by Priest In Shit, it's the expected harsh noise output one would generally expect from Priest In Shit, but this one comes together nicely as a whole package! I quite enjoy the dark industrial dreamlike artwork, two nuns kissing on back cover, love it! The artwork feels and looks very monochromatic in the grand scheme, fitting for this release which is a total maelstrom of distorted crunch and texture. I certainly would recommend this one, especially to the very specific harsh noise heads, perhaps those into the harsh noise wall stuff too. It's nothing that's reinventing the wheel so to speak, it's simply just plain great!

[k.p.g]

Zipper Spy - Untitled (No Label)
A curious CD that I picked up from RRR a couple of weeks ago.  There are no definitive indicators of which release this is, beyond RRRon saying that it was "made for a tour.. can't remember which one."  I could believe it though, as when you consider its short length and minimal packaging, it seems like it would serve more as a promo / artist introduction than any real record.
Sound wise, this work focuses more on the metal sculpture works that Maria would construct back in the day.  It's a lot of raw, clanging and tapping of objects, with some "noisier" elements peaking out at the end.  Highly enjoyable disc, I ended up having to listen to it twice.  Only clocks in at like 24 minutes, so it's not much of a commitment to have to go back and do so.

C.C.C.C. Community Center Cyber Crash: Live in Pittsburgh (Troniks / Helicopter, reissue)
A quick dose of C.C.C.C. this morning surprised me!  I say "surprised" because I usually expect listening to one of their releases will require at least an hour of my attention.  Nope, only 34 minutes.  Probably their most "punk" set that I have heard.  Hah. 
It's a total wash from start to finish, with lots of static washes breaking up the pummeling of synth.  On some occasions, I thought heard what sounded like Mayuko Hino wailing on the mic.  I'm not sure if she was ever one to do much of that, but the belief that it was there made the release all the more haunting.

Magnetic Coroner - Recycled (RRR)
Checking back into this series with a more recent entry.  Anyone who knows Weston's work knows its top notch tape creep and haunt.  This one is no exception.  However, with his usual knack for recycling old artist sources for Coroner releases, I wonder if this one has any sort of special source going on -- maybe using old, defective entries from the series to manipulate?  If that is the case, I wouldn't know.  Would be cool though.  Either way, very good stuff.