I feel a bit self-conscious, what with me just listening to old stuff and recent Bandcamp buys, while FreakAnimalFinland and others post reviews of the very latest and coolest releases. But, it is what it is. Money's tight and all that.
Treriksröset "Sexregler" (Troniks/Chondritic Sound, CD re-issue)A classic, of course, but I haven't listened to it for ages (and never had the Hatband version). I went out for a bit to eat and a beer for lunch today, and listened to the whole thing while ordering and eating. Really an awesome study in the abuse of audio. There are certain parts which contain noises and sound manipulations that would normally be annoying if performed by lesser beings, but the massive energy and constant variation of the recording makes virtually anything fit organically into the whole mess. Inspirational stuff! This is brutal, without ever succumbing to being physically unpleasant for the ears, and also without ever utilizing any common musical notions. Don't know what more to say. The Darkthrone of Swedish noise.
Yggdrasil/Napalmed "Split" (Darkness Productions, tape)This one is from 1997, but I got it and heard it for the first time quite recently. Very varied and dynamic noise. Yggdrasil has a very "cozy" feel to them on this tape, there's a murky and delay-laden distortion crunch and CONSTANT variation. Furthermore, there are several rhythm elements, partly just manipulation of noise, but also some kind of junk/drum beat that comes and goes. It's fucking awesome, and could be enjoyed all day and a part of the night. Napalmed's side is much weaker to my ears. It has its moment, and there's obviously a lot going on: some nice beating up on scrap metal, some absolutely ridiculous squeaking noises that can just fuck off, and much besides. Either way, it's difficult for me to get into. In fact, I didn't finish this side this time around, even (or perhaps because) I enjoyed Yggdrasil's side so much. While writing this I looked Napalmed up on Discogs to update myself a bit, and the bio informed me that in "June 18, 2014 group transformed itself to industrial noise cover band Eine Stunde Merzbauten".
Dosis Letalis - In these troubled times (Grey Matter Noise, tape and download)In an effort to overcome my aversion to Bandcamp (which is completely irrational; anyone remember
mp3.com?) I ordered a bunch of tapes from various vendors. I am still waiting for this one, but in the meantime I can review the digital download (for at least one other tape I liked the preview so much that I'll wait for the tape to arrive before listening to it any more at all). "In these troubled times" is HNW bordering on Dark Ambient. Or perhaps Dark Ambient bordering on HNW. The first track might be the most ambient one, and you almost feel like there's a more traditional musical element to it. However, there is not much in the way of melody. There is some very limited crackling going on, but it's mostly a slightly atmospheric wall of soft, broken bass going nowhere fast. The second track goes more HNW, but still in a very tender, bass dominated way. There's texture, and a certain dynamic development, but it's still much more muffled and laid back than harsher type noise walls. The last track is a monster that takes up the entire B-side, 29 and a half minutes. It's also the most powerful one. While the main impression is still bass and some not overly brutal distortion, it's far more insistent than both the other tracks, and hidden within the wall there is a constant barrage of heavy percussion, distorted and choked. The level of intensity shifts throughout the track, and when it peaks, it is indeed quite... Intense. To call it aggressive would be going a tad to far, but perhaps you could say it is "menacing", or at least that it "has sex appeal". When I previewed this tape I wasn't very impressed, but after giving it a proper listening I have to say I've changed my mind. This stuff has character. For some reason it is limited to 10 copies, but I hope it will somehow get wider distribution beyond the digital download.
