PLAYLIST with COMMENTS/REVIEWS

[NerveGas]

A.x.D.x.F.x.O.x.A - S/T CS

Jesus Christ. I don’t think there was a single moment of listening to this that the meters on my tape deck were not fully in the red. White hot Americanoise collaboration between the mighty Deadly Orifice and A Fail Association. Absolutely unrelenting crusher of a tape. Forty-one minutes of unedited, live blasting with no overdubs. Wouldn’t change a thing about this one.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

In SI forum best of 2022 there was mentioned people have ignored the new Puce Mary stuff due format fetish. Yeah, probably, but maybe one day I do get the tapes, and not feeling like listening files just yet…. I just got this one missing:
Puce Mary/ Rodget Stella collaboration tape
Mutter Wild

Its 2015, and sound neat now. Far less hi-tech, more relaxed. Downside is of course less of advanced and purely PM own approach, but I like this a lot. Don’t mind waiting 7 years to get something, and maybe one day the missing PM tapes will be found. This was 150sek, that’s 15 euro price tag at record store in Stockholm.

And talking of Sweden, new label, new tape:
FOLKSTORM / BIRTHDEATH split tape
Birthdeath Party 001
 Folkstorm of course is nothing new. His stuff here is occasionally pretty noisy, occasionally very beat driven, but hard and oppressive. Some really good vocals too. At this point, you can probably just say ”for fans of Nordvargr” and no other names need to be mentioned?
Birthdeath on b-side is noisier. It sounds quite close to what you could think. Not Whitehouse birthdeath level, but genre is right there at synth/vocals/samples, bleak industrial-noise type of thing. More in your face than minimal death industrial stuff, but not all the way total harsh punishment. Will have to see further material from project to see what angle they will be taking next. Good genre noise here so far! Like transparancy inserts says True Swedish Industrial

BRUME "Emergence" 2xCD
Well, turns out this Brume ain’t what Brume is best for. First disc is 70+ min track of minimal sound via modular processing. Disc two is more varied and interesting sounds processed with modular. Not bad for what they are, but after 2+ hours of someone who was amazing what he did, it makes me thing how its possible to end up doing the same generic zip zap bsbsbs zup! -things that we know from guys who first try that type of gear?  Its more like test drive of gear than anything compositionally amazing. Fans of that kind of electronics sounds probably like it. I like disc 2 where sound sources are more interesting.

RUNZELSTURN & GURGELSTOCK "Morx & Kotschlag" CD
Selektion
Dogs, horns, according, silly human voices, hits, slaps, yelps, abrupt cuts, utmost sonic slapstick show, which is less fun, more bizarre ordeal. In other words, good stuff! Seems like I have overpaid when I bought it many years ago. Japanese price tag of 2800jpy. Gut feeling says not bad price for 1994 CD, special edition of Selektion. But perhaps audio is a bit too challenging for many , so you can still grab this from discogs for less than price of new cd.

HAARE "Madon Evankeliumi " CD
At war with false noise
or should I say… HAAPE! Haha… Little photoshop magick happened by label and they managed to delete one line from logo making R look like P. This copy, like all that arrived to finland, was hand modified with pen by artist… At least part of pressing was sold ”as is”.
Its been long since I listened it. Surprisingly compact, like 32 minutes long charming drone-noise stuff in good old Haare tradition. I am quite sure this is considered to be album, but it lists into "misc" at discogs due short length?

Jeph Jerman ”Four Drivers” CD
Impulsy Stetoskopy
sounds pretty much what description says: Upright piano harp driven by four battery-powered fans. Minimal drone, starts really tinny and simply and more frequencies start to appear around pretty much single monotone tone. Half an hour later first track has developed into waving / oscillating sound. 2nd track gets more tonality, more happening, but like expected album to continues in same slow shift of relatively monotone sound. Which is good, in this case!

CLOAMA / ABFALL split tape
Noiseweb
Most of Finnish noise in the 90’s was not brutally harsh. Some of the 90’s Cloama was. This rare split with Abfall (usa), Cloama side is really heavy and crunchy. You may think even Dead Body Love and harsh noise The Rita level of bassy harsh noise.
Abfall volume levels are vastly lower, and also music style is kind of minimal droning noise. Somewhere of later days Knurl metal object ”drones” comes to mind. It has more variation and occasionally almost borders "industrial soundscapes" sort of stuff, but still makes me think of Knurl!

Those who were in noise scene back in 90’s, and had internet access, may remember noiseweb . com! I recall it was the first noise website I found from public internet access. Just basic html code, links to other noise websites and some info. Hard to remember anymore, but quite likely from there jumped into MSBR online guest book.

[Krigsverk]

Been catching up listening to the recent arrivals from Old Europa Cafe as I am packing orders; here are some short impressions of the music that has been spinning here today.

Vigilantism - Masochist Living (OEC). A strange mix of loop based militant martial influences, machine rhythms and more almost melodic parts, getting some Arditi-vibes sometimes, sometimes soundtrack feelings. Gets a bit distorted and noisy things in the mix as well, very nice. First thing I hear from this project, will check out the earlier stuff for sure. 

K2 - Steel desert around Tokyo (OEC). Junky distorted noise in the classic K2 way, did not get me as excited as I was hoping though. Will give it some more spins though.

SPK -Live at the crypt (OEC). What to say? This shit never gets old. Stammheim Torturkammer for life!

Next up: Merzbow - Flesh metal orgasm.

[morbid_dyspepsia]

Rodger Stella / Leslie Keffer - Remixes Brine & Devastates (Action Claw Records, 2006)

Rodger and his ladies as usual, the true noise pimp daddy living the dream. Eerie consistency in the industrial-soundtrack realm, it could easily be the score to "Ghosts of The Civil Dead" or many other grim foggy films of the same caliber. A lengthy affair that gradually turns to something more cosmic with no legible rhythm but instead reoccurring messages hidden amongst ethereal soundscapes. Heavy synth within a bleak reality. Negative reflection. Sinister stillness. Cocaine, methadone and whiskey. The score to your existential horror.

#darkambient #deathindustrial #soundtrack #soundscapes #score #postmortem #horrorfilm #noise #trauma #ethereal #avantgarde

[Commander15]

Grunt - Installation Of Blood And Steel cd (Harsh Head Rituals 2005 / Industrial Recollections 2022)

Like high tension wire shoved into your brain through the eardrums. Pure live energy that is seeping through these tracks makes you want to demolish buildings with your bare fists. To me this is one of the key releases from the 2002- 2009 era of harsh noise in style of i.e Troniks / PacRec, HHR, Segerhuva etc.

Lots of textures but always interesting and moving to places. Rather physical sounding release compared to many in-line recordings of that era, which makes this stand out of the crowd. I feel that album title captures the overall feel of the album: flesh meets steel, will meets the matter, electronics meet physical manipulation of the soundsources. Truly outstanding album.

[V.T.R]

Jeph Jerman - Arcane facture (WCN)

Spotted this from Nuori Veri episode of WCN podcast. Sure I have bunch of other Jerman releases, but this particular one I wasn't familiar with. Found the cd immediately from nhfa shop and goddamn this is pretty much perfect stuff for my liking. Swirling world of shattered glass, stones, wood, dirt and scraping of metal in constant motion. Sound is super clear and deep. 5/5!

[HateSermon]

Palokoro - Surukirjo cassette (Freak Animal 2022)

This was a blind buy and the label description is what sold me.
Very raw and primitive sounds here. If someone were to tell me that this was recorded in a cabin in the woods, I wouldn't be surprised. Distant manic yelling. Harsh metal loops made up of just the natural metal sound itself - meaning it doesn't sound like it was ran through any effect pedals. That's the kind of shit I like - just the sound of the object doing it's own thing. Tons of room reverb in there. Some spoken word loops in Finnish (?). At times very ambient with field recordings of wind, water, birds - especially the B side. Has some PE/Industrial parts too, but caveman style. I'm sitting here listening to it as a blizzard is on it's way to shut down my entire state for a few days. Good soundtrack for it! Add this to "Unique releases of 2022" list. I bought my copy from Malignant who I think still has some.

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

Cruel Map of Women's Bodies - I, II, III (Room 2A)

This is one of my favorite new projects this year. It comes from the Richard Ramirez camp and is simply described as, "Noise project featuring Black Leather Jesus members." There is no clarity on who is involved but it sounds like BLJ on steroids. As you can imagine, it is fucking DENSE. It's not Harsh Noise Wall but heavily layered and moving noise with a lot of texture. Each of the three tapes are labeled I, II, and III and each are c30s. I believe it's one massive piece strewn across multiple releases as they flow into each other perfectly. There is an extremely pleasing balance of screeching high-end feedback and rumbling low-end. They are all somewhat similar but somehow II stands out as the most pleasing to my ears. It's everything I want in noise from the "in the red" saturated tape sound and has a ridiculous crunch to it. It's difficult to keep up with everything from Richard, but this project is certainly worth everyone checking out.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

Smell & Quim "Nativity colostomy" tape
OEC
90’s Old Europa Cafa. Lots of great tapes. This Smell & Quim tape looks great, and stuff is good too, but not noise! It is all the way dark ambient / dark drones type of stuff. Perhaps walks hand in hand with S&Q LP on Tesco.

Telepherique ”Sound-Object” tape + box + art.
Ant-Zen
Early Ant-Zen, act 04!  Limited package with SALT Artwar is just 56 copies. Stuff here is partially good, partially it is drum machine electro beat sort of stuff. Of course no news for Ant-Zen guys that there are rhythm on releases, but this early releases of label tend to be way more noise & even power electronics oriented. Design and art was advanced at the time. 1993, that is.

Kosakai Fumio + Takahashi Ikuro "...Of Dogstarman" CD
Not sure if ...Ofdogstarman is the project name, or the album name.
One 70+ min piece here, late 90’s drone. Electronics, some sort of reeds, neat stuff even if barely ultra classic. Together with comp CD I posted earlier today, this CD makes me wonder if there would be some noise/experimental sound zine able to make article covering Kosakai’s output outside Incapacitants, CCCC, Hijokaidan, and look at his solo output as well as numerous other works very rarely acknowledged.
Back in 2005 or so, on first visit to Japan, I was talking to Kosakai and he mentioned he has boxes of dead stock in basement. Nobody cares, nobody buys. So, next thing I was buying all old Incapacitants 7”s and his 80’s solo tapes originals…   Some had been at that point already like 20 years waiting anyone to want them. Needless to say, now almost 20 years later of that moment, all gone.
I would not be surprised if copies of …Of Dogstarman CD would be collecting dust somewhere in Japanese basements? CD worth to grab if you like noisy organic drone.

Ahlzagailzehguh "Enemy of the future" 2xCD
Troniks
Despite being compilation, sound is so coherent and kind of uniform, that you can think of it pretty much as album. Sometimes it stays still for a while, but most of all it is cut up frenzy up there among very best of the sub-genre.

Ahlzagailzehguh "Refuse and Control" LP
Hospital prod
Had not enough of it, so pulled out LP on Hospital prod from shelves. Especially b-side slays. Really excellent cut up noise that has feet firmly in harsh noise blast. Meaning, not the ”post-cut up” games. Not long pauses, silence or stutterloop zip zap. Just sheer energy of well done noise.

The New Blockaders "Live at henoeuma" pic LP
RRR
So, in mood for well done noise, pulled out also The New Blockaders live LP. I have feeling that I may have mentioned even in this group that I was at the show. It was 2003, and at that time. TNB had not been very active. Suddenly there is announcement for Final live show, so plane tickets bought to travel UK… But, final my ass!! Haha Of course now 20 years later, amount of final things TNB has done, is probably longer than things they did before that started.
At this show, mr. BWCD (Phil Todd) on stage, pretending to play, but didn’t do anything. Just ”anti-performance”. Rupenus supposedly doing the live noise-mix at room, but not on stage. After show, brief meeting with Rupenus on back stage, but man was so hammered, nothing relevant could be discussed. And what is there to discuss really? Fanboy giving compliments would be just about the maximum level of interaction.  I am now absolutely as fanatic of noise as ever been, but one thing has changed. What would be the annoucement that would make you want to fly on other side of world to see it? Well, I guess 2023 Tower Transmission will be it, line-up will be travel wortht! but in general, as good as current day bands are, same urgency to see them live as ”final gig of TNB”… hmm..  can’t think name that would create such feeling. Flying from finland to NYC to see Ramleh PE comeback.. haha.. It would be interesting to hear what is ”international travel worthy noise” for people now!

Illusion of Safety & Z'ev LP
Quite a lot of labels involved in making this happen. Probably good idea in times when would be best to have it available ”locally” due shipping. That said, my copies came all the way from Tasmania!
I didn’t check any background info when taking copies, and just assumed, due legendary names that this must be some vintage recordings. But no. Of course it is not utterly recent as IOS quite and Z’ev passed away, but it is pretty damn new. Plus really great! It has technologically advance things, but great sounds, great flow, good vinyl cut, good graphics. It reminds me of recent talk with friend. That noise vinyl is good as soon as not all of its qualities are bad. Sometimes you get warped vinyl, sucky sound, expensive price and damaged + shitty cover… But you can take certain amount of warp, extra price, maybe spine rip, etc. If at least *something* is good. Like noise itself.
With this LP, everything is perfect and none of mentioned flaws, and it is like restoring faith on noise vinyls, hehe….

[MT]

POW REAPER - ”Ylläs 2022” cdr

Wild icy cold harsh noise ride down the hill. As there was lots of equipment listed in the covers, you quickly create an image of this. Snowboard is miced up for riding, and you can feel the speed, textures of snow. I would say this is more like harsh noise wall, there is stuff happening all the time but it is in the same ”style” as in textures of snow and it gets more and more intense as you go on. Listener can close their eyes and vision a ride down to abyss towards death! Printed cdr with proper digipack.


UL.TH.Nekrolatria - ”Vanitas” tape

First tape was a strong debut, having already an identity and clear vision of their material. Bloodstamped cover, as the debut tape, signaling death looming among us. Tape attacks hard, first track has potential to be a serious PE anthem. Second track is as title suggest, suffocating. But underneath the suffocating mass is a collage of furious and hateful vocals. Lyrics are not provided, so it’s up to the listener to make up their mind of it. Overall to my ears tape has better sound than the first one, doesn’t have to be cranked as loud. And the massive sounds get to their full power. Third track is a tasty collection of buzzing synths, echoing and twirling siren like shriek, that sounds more like a demonic soul in a vortex. Repeating vocals that come in rhytmic patterns, as intensity rises towards end with whips of metal clashing. End reveals percussions under the buzzing mass. If the first track had the potential to be a PE anthem, the last track ”Roman Maximum” takes the cake. It is what I hope Genocide Organ would be today. Vocals that are delivered with authority and are beautifully drenched in strong long delay. Instruments of war are booming in the background, almost resembling like trumpets of war. Occasional smashing of metal, like a whip of Roman slave master. The atmosphere is so fucking great, and it gets more intense with a bass rhythm that joins the mix. A different kind of PE anthem. Highly enjoy the different perspective on the tape, again paving their own roads. Maybe the last track leaves so intense fumes in my head that I feel this tape was much harsher than the first one? Get it while these are still available, if not gone already.

[HateSermon]

UL.TH.Nekrolatria - ”Vanitas” tape

First tape was a strong debut, having already an identity and clear vision of their material. Bloodstamped cover, as the debut tape, signaling death looming among us. Tape attacks hard, first track has potential to be a serious PE anthem. Second track is as title suggest, suffocating. But underneath the suffocating mass is a collage of furious and hateful vocals. Lyrics are not provided, so it’s up to the listener to make up their mind of it. Overall to my ears tape has better sound than the first one, doesn’t have to be cranked as loud. And the massive sounds get to their full power. Third track is a tasty collection of buzzing synths, echoing and twirling siren like shriek, that sounds more like a demonic soul in a vortex. Repeating vocals that come in rhytmic patterns, as intensity rises towards end with whips of metal clashing. End reveals percussions under the buzzing mass. If the first track had the potential to be a PE anthem, the last track ”Roman Maximum” takes the cake. It is what I hope Genocide Organ would be today. Vocals that are delivered with authority and are beautifully drenched in strong long delay. Instruments of war are booming in the background, almost resembling like trumpets of war. Occasional smashing of metal, like a whip of Roman slave master. The atmosphere is so fucking great, and it gets more intense with a bass rhythm that joins the mix. A different kind of PE anthem. Highly enjoy the different perspective on the tape, again paving their own roads. Maybe the last track leaves so intense fumes in my head that I feel this tape was much harsher than the first one? Get it while these are still available, if not gone already.

Yeah really nasty sounding! Add this to one of the better releases I’ve heard this year. I was able to pick one up and it looks like there’s just one copy left on their bandcamp page

[expectorant]

UL.TH.Nekrolatria - ”Vanitas” tape

First tape was a strong debut, having already an identity and clear vision of their material. Bloodstamped cover, as the debut tape, signaling death looming among us. Tape attacks hard, first track has potential to be a serious PE anthem. Second track is as title suggest, suffocating. But underneath the suffocating mass is a collage of furious and hateful vocals. Lyrics are not provided, so it’s up to the listener to make up their mind of it. Overall to my ears tape has better sound than the first one, doesn’t have to be cranked as loud. And the massive sounds get to their full power. Third track is a tasty collection of buzzing synths, echoing and twirling siren like shriek, that sounds more like a demonic soul in a vortex. Repeating vocals that come in rhytmic patterns, as intensity rises towards end with whips of metal clashing. End reveals percussions under the buzzing mass. If the first track had the potential to be a PE anthem, the last track ”Roman Maximum” takes the cake. It is what I hope Genocide Organ would be today. Vocals that are delivered with authority and are beautifully drenched in strong long delay. Instruments of war are booming in the background, almost resembling like trumpets of war. Occasional smashing of metal, like a whip of Roman slave master. The atmosphere is so fucking great, and it gets more intense with a bass rhythm that joins the mix. A different kind of PE anthem. Highly enjoy the different perspective on the tape, again paving their own roads. Maybe the last track leaves so intense fumes in my head that I feel this tape was much harsher than the first one? Get it while these are still available, if not gone already.

Yeah really nasty sounding! Add this to one of the better releases I’ve heard this year. I was able to pick one up and it looks like there’s just one copy left on their bandcamp page

Goddamn... I'll echo the sentiment here. Gotta love when a new project gives me that "fuck yes!" feeling. Exciting stuff. Thanks for the tip!

[cr]

UL.TH.Nekrolatria - ”Vanitas” tape

First tape was a strong debut, having already an identity and clear vision of their material. Bloodstamped cover, as the debut tape, signaling death looming among us. Tape attacks hard, first track has potential to be a serious PE anthem. Second track is as title suggest, suffocating. But underneath the suffocating mass is a collage of furious and hateful vocals. Lyrics are not provided, so it’s up to the listener to make up their mind of it. Overall to my ears tape has better sound than the first one, doesn’t have to be cranked as loud. And the massive sounds get to their full power. Third track is a tasty collection of buzzing synths, echoing and twirling siren like shriek, that sounds more like a demonic soul in a vortex. Repeating vocals that come in rhytmic patterns, as intensity rises towards end with whips of metal clashing. End reveals percussions under the buzzing mass. If the first track had the potential to be a PE anthem, the last track ”Roman Maximum” takes the cake. It is what I hope Genocide Organ would be today. Vocals that are delivered with authority and are beautifully drenched in strong long delay. Instruments of war are booming in the background, almost resembling like trumpets of war. Occasional smashing of metal, like a whip of Roman slave master. The atmosphere is so fucking great, and it gets more intense with a bass rhythm that joins the mix. A different kind of PE anthem. Highly enjoy the different perspective on the tape, again paving their own roads. Maybe the last track leaves so intense fumes in my head that I feel this tape was much harsher than the first one? Get it while these are still available, if not gone already.

Yeah really nasty sounding! Add this to one of the better releases I’ve heard this year. I was able to pick one up and it looks like there’s just one copy left on their bandcamp page

Goddamn... I'll echo the sentiment here. Gotta love when a new project gives me that "fuck yes!" feeling. Exciting stuff. Thanks for the tip!

Yes, thanks for introducing! It seems I managed to get the last copy.

[UL.TH.NL]

UL.TH.Nekrolatria - ”Vanitas” tape

First tape was a strong debut, having already an identity and clear vision of their material. Bloodstamped cover, as the debut tape, signaling death looming among us. Tape attacks hard, first track has potential to be a serious PE anthem. Second track is as title suggest, suffocating. But underneath the suffocating mass is a collage of furious and hateful vocals. Lyrics are not provided, so it’s up to the listener to make up their mind of it. Overall to my ears tape has better sound than the first one, doesn’t have to be cranked as loud. And the massive sounds get to their full power. Third track is a tasty collection of buzzing synths, echoing and twirling siren like shriek, that sounds more like a demonic soul in a vortex. Repeating vocals that come in rhytmic patterns, as intensity rises towards end with whips of metal clashing. End reveals percussions under the buzzing mass. If the first track had the potential to be a PE anthem, the last track ”Roman Maximum” takes the cake. It is what I hope Genocide Organ would be today. Vocals that are delivered with authority and are beautifully drenched in strong long delay. Instruments of war are booming in the background, almost resembling like trumpets of war. Occasional smashing of metal, like a whip of Roman slave master. The atmosphere is so fucking great, and it gets more intense with a bass rhythm that joins the mix. A different kind of PE anthem. Highly enjoy the different perspective on the tape, again paving their own roads. Maybe the last track leaves so intense fumes in my head that I feel this tape was much harsher than the first one? Get it while these are still available, if not gone already.

Yeah really nasty sounding! Add this to one of the better releases I’ve heard this year. I was able to pick one up and it looks like there’s just one copy left on their bandcamp page

Goddamn... I'll echo the sentiment here. Gotta love when a new project gives me that "fuck yes!" feeling. Exciting stuff. Thanks for the tip!

Yes, thanks for introducing! It seems I managed to get the last copy.

Others can still check Freak Animal or Satatuhatta if they have copies left.

[Fistfuck Masonanie]

David Gilden - Noise Attacks The Suburbs c34 (Room 2A)
God damn, this one is heavy! Reissued this year by Richard on the Room 2A label. Originally available from a 1995 Black Leather Jesus/Sawgasm show and out of print ever since. This is a bit different than Texas Chainsaw Dopefiend as it's a more singular and focused sound throughout. One long 34-minute track and there are a lot of different layers going on creating an ever-flowing but incredibly dense sound. It feels like the full frequency spectrum is covered with lots of high-end piercing feedback sweeping in and out of a deep bass rumble foundation, with radio programming/music buried and decimated underneath. It almost feels psychedelic from a sensory overload perspective as there is so much going on it's disorienting. Getting excited for that massive boxset coming out next year from Fusty Jim.

T.E.F. - Wrought (Dada Drumming)
Maybe harsh noise album of the year... This is so technically well executed and the craftmanship is unreal. The album contains an expert level of cut-up and editing we've come to know and expect from the project, which is already such a high standard, the fact that he keeps meeting and exceeding those expectations is a testament to Kevin. I really like the level of dynamics here too, the album is well paced and there are some areas where Kevin explores more subtle and nuanced territories. Going to sit with this one and spin it many more times throughout the new year.

There were a few other really well done cut-up albums that make my year-end list and that Endo/Scum collab on Rural Isolation Project is up there. I would be very curious to see what results a T.E.F. and Endo collab would create...