Tattered Syntax Nothing All Day Nothing (Skeleton Dust): Highly emotional and active harsh noise. A lot of velocity and layers on the A-side. B-side features some more straight-forward approaches, but still makes my extremities go numb. Highly recommended!
Hostage Pageant/Kelly Churko/Obstacle Corpse/Wrong Hole Convenience: Contemporary Harsh Noise Vol. III (Skeleton Dust): As the series has gone thus far; roughly forty minutes of balls-to-the-wall harsh noise. This installment featured a little more variety in sounds than the previous two. Maybe my favorite one so far, even though I'm unfamiliar with the artists.
Jason Crumer Gentrification Suite (Banned Prod.): That ol' Crumer that should be familiar territory to most by now; lots of field-recordings with manipulated tension-builds, squealing harsh noise, and a little droning action. This was one sweet tape!
Mania Grim Conditions (Freak Animal): One of those tapes that got lost in the pile of a purchase-happy month. Listened to it a few times and forgot about it. Remembered enjoying it quite a bit at the time --- and definitely still do! A solid tape that was very deserving of this second edition.
Abigor Verwüstung / Invoke the Dark Age (Napalm/Chaos Sacrum/Irond): Nearly twenty years since this piece debuted and it still holds a sturdier ground than the last decade+ of black metal, not to mention a large majority of what are considered the cult classics of the genre.
Lantern Below (Dark Descent): Can they ever top Subterranean Effulgence? Probably not. Still, this is some of the most wretched, vile, chaotic and original death metal in ages. This is a band that deserves notoriety and recognition. What an addictive album. Shook the walls of the house while consuming too much gin last night and this was definitely the highlight of the whole evening over all the above mentioned albums.
