Merzbow Top Hits

Balor/SS1535 · September 25, 2025, 05:59:44 AM

Quote from: BlackCavendish on September 24, 2025, 09:06:13 PM
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on September 24, 2025, 03:17:13 AMAn interesting new interview with an emphasis on gear-use (and some comments on his use of AI): https://articles.roland.com/a-few-minutes-with-merzbow/

Really nice interview. Maybe his take on AI used for cover artworks, and especially on its environmental impact, seems a little bit naive but still it's interesting to read a different perspective instead of the usual rant so common these days.

People get really hysterical about his use of AI over on Reddit, it seems (no surprise there). I agree that his explanation here is more than a little naive, but I do think that AI fits Merzbow fairly well---like a contemporary return to the early trash aesthetic.

FreakAnimalFinland · October 07, 2025, 08:33:05 PM

New edition of Merzphysics is really great in sense that I never had the former box. Youth Inc. version from 2012, was with less artwork, but the artwork was more in style of 90's era, where the sound originates from. I think therefore it would have been suitable to use art that is closer to the atmosphere that music is connected to. That's why I am critical of new AI artwork generated for this one. Of course, it is just cardboard sleeves with AI birds on them, so its not huge problem of course. I listened first three discs today, and totally rules! I guess tomorrow will continue the box. So far any of these could have been ok to be album of its own and be great. However, 10 discs box, or 10 separate albums? Hard to say what would have made more sense.

Krigsverk · October 07, 2025, 09:40:24 PM

Yes, I agree totally... this is Merzbow in his prime. I still have three discs to hear, but this has sofar been an excellent listen. The artwork is horrible, but I am not looking at it when enjoying the noise so all is forgotten.

Minus1 · February 10, 2026, 06:50:20 AM

I think this is the main Merzthread here, huh? Top Hits! Ok!

Anyway, I did something today that I have not done in quite a while: I bought a new Merzbow: Circular Reference, 2024.

My search skills may be bad, but I'm not seeing any...erm...references to this one. Not a top hit? 😂

I suppose when you have the Merzbox and Merzphysics and Merzbient and a fuckton of other Merz, you get to a point where you you think to yourself "Do I need more Merz?"

And then you keep hearing that new Merz can't compete with older Merz.

Well, fuck me! I really love what I've sampled of Circular Reference so far. I cannot do a coherent review until I play the 5 tracks / 63min in total. (March?)

https://noholidaynone.bandcamp.com/album/circular-reference

I should reconsider my Merzpile - it needs to be higher!?

Minus1 · February 10, 2026, 07:06:11 AM

And just for the record, my all-time fav (Top Hit!) Merz is Akasha Gulva. The closest he ever got to pure HNW. With enough hi-end to make you want to puke. (This is a good thing.) 73min of pure aural hell. (In a good way.) The sound of a flying 747 towing a Volkswagen across a large city.

k.p.g · February 10, 2026, 03:24:13 PM

Quote from: Minus1 on February 10, 2026, 06:50:20 AMAnd then you keep hearing that new Merz can't compete with older Merz.

This isn't entirely true. There are some newer entries that are absolutely smokin'.

Minus1 · February 10, 2026, 06:29:43 PM

Quote from: k.p.g on February 10, 2026, 03:24:13 PM
Quote from: Minus1 on February 10, 2026, 06:50:20 AMAnd then you keep hearing that new Merz can't compete with older Merz.
This isn't entirely true. There are some newer entries that are absolutely smokin'.

Certainly! And I need to research more new works.

I've never had this opinion myself. But lets face it - you hear it often.

Minus1 · February 25, 2026, 04:10:51 AM

Quote from: Minus1 on February 10, 2026, 06:50:20 AMI think this is the main Merzthread here, huh? Top Hits! Ok!

Anyway, I did something today that I have not done in quite a while: I bought a new Merzbow: Circular Reference, 2024.

My search skills may be bad, but I'm not seeing any...erm...references to this one. Not a top hit? 😂

I suppose when you have the Merzbox and Merzphysics and Merzbient and a fuckton of other Merz, you get to a point where you you think to yourself "Do I need more Merz?"

And then you keep hearing that new Merz can't compete with older Merz.

Well, fuck me! I really love what I've sampled of Circular Reference so far. I cannot do a coherent review until I play the 5 tracks / 63min in total. (March?)

https://noholidaynone.bandcamp.com/album/circular-reference

I should reconsider my Merzpile - it needs to be higher!?

Circular Reference blasts as I type. If I was any happier there'd be two of me.

There's a lot of hi-pitched comings and goings here. That suits me just fine. This is not a "complex" album. But the layering and momentum that I've always loved about Merz is there.

Track 4 (10-Muko) has a different feel. Feedback Heaven. A glacial pace. It's fantastic. The album climax. Otherwise, the 4 other tracks here really seem quite similar, on this first spin.

Bring me more Late Merz!!

NerveGas · February 25, 2026, 05:19:37 AM

Just logged on to post in this thread and saw it at the top of the page, ha! Forgive me if this has been written before but has anyone seen any of the True Romance VHS tapes? Great titles such as Blood Orgy Of The She Dolls and Pleasure Room Of Anti-Education. I have heard the LP on the (killer) label, Membrum Debile Proaganda, but would love to lay my eyes on these videos.

Minus1 · February 25, 2026, 07:39:55 AM

VHS?? Ha! And I thought I was old. 😂

Theodore · February 25, 2026, 01:13:55 PM

Quote from: NerveGas on February 25, 2026, 05:19:37 AMJust logged on to post in this thread and saw it at the top of the page, ha! Forgive me if this has been written before but has anyone seen any of the True Romance VHS tapes? Great titles such as Blood Orgy Of The She Dolls and Pleasure Room Of Anti-Education. I have heard the LP on the (killer) label, Membrum Debile Proaganda, but would love to lay my eyes on these videos.

I had asked the same thing, heh. https://special-interests.net/forum/index.php?topic=82.msg104502#msg104502 . theotherjohn provided a link to another performance i had missed, -see reply- . Maybe you miss it too ? Super interesting stuff !

NerveGas · February 25, 2026, 06:15:22 PM

Quote from: Theodore on February 25, 2026, 01:13:55 PM
Quote from: NerveGas on February 25, 2026, 05:19:37 AMJust logged on to post in this thread and saw it at the top of the page, ha! Forgive me if this has been written before but has anyone seen any of the True Romance VHS tapes? Great titles such as Blood Orgy Of The She Dolls and Pleasure Room Of Anti-Education. I have heard the LP on the (killer) label, Membrum Debile Proaganda, but would love to lay my eyes on these videos.

I had asked the same thing, heh. https://special-interests.net/forum/index.php?topic=82.msg104502#msg104502 . theotherjohn provided a link to another performance i had missed, -see reply- . Maybe you miss it too ? Super interesting stuff !

Thanks a lot! Great footage. About what I expected, but that's not a bad thing. Also, wasn't really having high hopes anything would turn up, so I'm glad I asked.

Minus1 · March 03, 2026, 08:22:44 AM

Quote from: moozz on February 08, 2022, 12:26:16 PMSlowdown is the master of Merzbow archive releases but not the only label doing it. A few years ago the Australian label Room40 entered the "Merzbow archival market" as well. As far as I know they have 4 archival releases out and they are all from 1994-1998. One of them I have not heard but the three others are:
- Noise Mass: Alternative mixes for tracks from Hole plus unreleased. Fantastic harsh noise
- Flare Blues: Alternative mixes from Flare Gun 12" and White Blues 7", great stuff, plus this is probably the only Merzbow archival release on vinyl!
- Scandal: Starts with a very unusual piece for Merzbow, it sounds like a 12min unedited field recording in a workshop. Not noisy in anyway, just sparse everyday sounds. After this things get noisier but never reach the Venereology/Pulse Demon frenzy. Feels like material that is still rooted in the '80s but wanting to get harsher. I am not a fan of the first 12 minutes but it is worth it for all the rest.

Yeah. Thanks for this.

I've been sampling Scandal a lot today. I'm thinking that the first 12min is a warmup - eases you in. Because...that is a good idea. 😂

I really like this one. As you allude, I don't think he was going for the Akasha Gulva feel on these pieces.

This 69min "collection" is really working for me. I think Room 40 has done a superb job here. Brilliant choices / flow.

Fuckit. I'm going for it. 😂

k.p.g · March 03, 2026, 03:07:16 PM

Quote from: Minus1 on March 03, 2026, 08:22:44 AMFuckit. I'm going for it. 😂

Hell yeah, Minus. I would go for Noise Mass too. I've had a copy for years, and it's great work.

Minus1 · March 03, 2026, 11:59:09 PM

I've been sampling the recent Sporangium and...I...like...it!

But Krigsverk doesn't: (Pasted from Playlist thread.)

Merzbow - Sporangium (CD, OEC)

2025 recording in three lengthy tracks that starts off with some drone-synth kind of vibe, after a while Masami starts his trademark noisemaking and layers it on top. Second track is nothing out of the ordinary, but the third track is awful. Digital processed "cute melodies" in the background over some digital FX-processed noise. I can´t shake the feeling that some parts of this is not made by Merzbow, but rather made by AI. It just might be that the dreadful AI doodle that makes up the artwork makes me think this, but there is something about the digital processing of the sounds that sounds "not Merzbow" or human. All in all, disappointed.