IRON FIST OF THE SUN "Family Survival Strategy" tape
Unrest
Somehow unusually nice design in cover. Almost like it would be done by someone... how to say it.. real designer? Clever placement of band logo vs. simple yet effective artwork. Colors very striking and it's all well in line with front, inside and tape itself! While I sometimes think IFOTS could expand his horizon more, each time I listen his works, I can conclude that he actually does. While some of the tracks here are simply guaranteed IFOTS style tracks, there are some more unusual pieces, like usage of eerie slow moving feedback. Good tape!
THE RITA / MANIA "Together they're murder" tape
Bacteria Field
The era of Rita when he was doing extreme brutal harsh noise. Simple, to the point, yet powerful. No complaints! I think Mania had some bonus material here? Original release was 2006 CDR limited to ridiculous 20 copies. Now with 100 tapes, it gets to heard much wider audience. Mania does his "usual", yet as many times said, despite being often from same ingredients, each release has different form.
I C K "Abuses non tollit usum" tape
Bacteria Field
I was quite surprised. I-C-K tape on small american noise label?! This French industrial band has formerly published mostly vinyl and on labels like La Nouvelle Alliance or Hau Ruck. Since 90's. And now, suddenly xerox cover, old typewriter texts. This tape collects all non album tracks 2001 until 2006. I guess singles, compilations and according cover also unreleased. It is album length of material. I'm pretty sure big part of audience may have never heard the project before. It's just my gut feeling that the "american tape scene" and french industrial don't strongly overlap? I C K stuff is mostly drum machine beats and noises. One could lump it somewhere with Slave State, early Esplendor Geometrico and such. I never been big fan of project, but from this tape, it somehow feels better than many actual vinyl releases.
V/A "A GROUP OF PERVERTS" tape
Bacteria Field
Deterge is musically good, but vocals are sucky. Mania always delivers the goods. Wonderland Club piece is longest on the compilation and its perverse approach probably satisfies anyone who are familiar with the case. Vasculae is Jon Borges more recent projects. His tape on White Centipede Noise was great. And his works here doesn't fail either. No Dreams is fine, but what really made me wonder, why Jonathan Canady track is so shitty? Is this done with the famous modulars? I generally think that whole modular synth scene is annoying, so perhaps it is just another proof. Between good stuff, this track presents absolute weakness. Purity Of Essence luckily fixes the problem with almost 10 minute track. Comes with large size xerox 'zine. Bacteria Field seems like label well worth of keeping eye!
QUACK QUACK / MILOS OLYMPOS split tape
White Centipede Noise
Not much expectations based on names and graphics, but fuck, luckily I'm quite happy to give chance to a lot of stuff. Since Quack Quack harsh noise blast really nails it. This is prime example why one should go for unknown (... at least to me!) releases without hesitation. No matter if you get few less exciting tapes here and there, then occasionally you're just blown away by sheer massive energy of good harsh noise. Milos Olympos ain't bad, but simply can't match the power of the first side! Good to see WCN label back in business!