Noisear

N.Stahl.N - Heimwerk/Oder Hackstuke

2007-10-09T16:05:00.000-06:00

Artist: N.Stahl.N
Release: Heimwerk/Oder Hackstuke
Label: Krakilsk
Year: 2007
Format: CDr / DVD slimcase
Tracks: 4
TRT: 34:20

N.Stahl.N is another new project for me and it’s in line on the more experimental side of noise. N.Stahl.N utilizes field recordings, analog and digital manipulations and amplified household objects to name a few. The first three tracks are stated to be based on live material prepare for a concert and sounds like that is very much true. The sounds are very light moving and range all over the place. The first track, Heimwerk, is 7 minutes and starts off fairly simply with a few bashes and light clangs here and there then at 4ish minutes there’s an amplified sound, ok something different, but then at 5ish minutes this synth drone comes in and I start to drool…amazing movement in this track. I was just beginning to get bored and the artist all of the sudden gets my mind racing. Loved it! Track 2, Hackstruck, at 5 minutes long starts off much the same as the first. Sounds of metal hits and taps with some creepy scraping sounds but this time there’s a Geiger counter sounding drum pattern going on. Track 3, Heimawerk II, at 6 minutes is probably the simplest track on here. Nothing good or bad, just there. Track 4, Hacktruck II, is at 16 minutes and there’s a lot going on in this track. Some of the noise I can’t really describe but it’s very interesting indeed. It’s very fast paced and rhythmic. There’s an odd high-hat sample at very fast BPM and while this is going on there’s some odd breathing sounds and a light drone. At 6 minutes the track begins fade from a musical quality to more experimental sounds with some weird bleep samples that start to go into a rhythmic pattern once again. At 10 minutes some vocals from D.Niehues come in and almost appear to be reversed. Not sure if that’s the case though but the track soon fades from this and ends with some light "house hold odd sounds". Overall this was a very unique sounding 34 minutes and it’s something that sounds in the same territory as Big City Orchestra. The artwork is great and looks laser printed too, like the other releases. Defiantly something to check out from Krakilsk.

The S.U.N.C.D. Project - The Sun CD

2007-10-09T16:02:00.000-06:00

Artist: The S.U.N.C.D. Project
Release: The Sun CD
Label: Krakilsk
Year: 2007
Format: CDr
Tracks: 9
TRT: 69:23

The S.U.N.C.D. Project is made up of Roar Borge and Arnfinn Killingtveit, both of which are new to me so this entire project is a first listen. It starts off with an odd 11 minute track titled "Life….", which sounds almost the same as track 5 "Life On The Sun". Here we get to hear bubble boiling sounds, sci-fi effect sounds and ambient wisps. Track 2, Raga Orientellus, features a simple tribal drum sample admist more sci-fi sounds pulsing in and out. Track 4, Climate Manipulation, is a fairly good ambient piece with long drones and hidden sounds you have to be careful to listen for or you’ll miss them. Track 7 is much the same except it’s even quieter. I had to turn up the volume just to hear most of it, which I hate! It was good though once I got to hear it. The disc closes off with a nice slow moving ambient drum track. Very nice and kinda reminded me of a creepy zombie movie scene from the 70’s. Overall this disc wasn’t the best stuff I’ve heard but there were some interesting moments. Enough to make me want to play it again when I need something soft to listen to.

Chefkirk - Analysis Of Anxieties

2007-10-09T15:58:00.000-06:00

Artist: chefkirk
Release: Analysis Of Anxieties
Label: Krakilsk
Year: 2007
Format: CDr
Tracks: 14
TRT: 24:27

14 untitled tracks from chefkirk and along the lines of some more high pitched sounds that I’m use to hearing from this project. I remember a year ago I couldn’t stand this style of noise but after projects like Caustic Castle and this one I’m really enjoying it and it doesn’t bother me at all. Since there’s no track titles and it runs as if it’s one long track I’ll just describe the release in total. Chefkrik seems to start out his noise with a subtle high pitch, that’s always either hanging around under other noise or comes in and out while he twitches his knobs. A few times through the release we get to hear some heavy bass noise and it’s good to get once and a while as it keeps my ears in tune. There’s also a few times we get to hear a lot of crashing noise going on, but once again we get checked back to a high pitch before something else happens. The artwork for this release is fairly simple. A picture of what looks like the aftermath of a small earthquake, pretty much a cracked road but it suites this release a lot I think. If you’ve listened to chefkirk material you’ll notice that all the tracks were recorded straight to hard disc with no edits. Very well done material but it isn’t 100% "new" sounding from him either, just refreshing.

Scissor Shock - Tease The Skeleton

2007-08-28T15:03:00.000-06:00

Artist: Scissor Shock
Release: Tease The Skeleton
Label: dollfullofrivets
Year: 2007
Format: CDr
Tracks: 8
TRT: 30:29

This is the lastest EP soon be released on dollfullofrivets. If your familiar with Adam Cooley and Scissor Shock you'll know it's not your average sytle of noise. There's a lot of going on's in this release and here's a short mention of the typs of sounds: Skipping CD sounds, vocal screaming, odd guitar playing, weird ass drums, Mario Brothers jumping for a coin?, buzzing, saxophone, lots of various samples, etc. This is free-rock-noise for sure. No structure and just plain fun! "Melting The Sun" is probably my favorite track on here as it's a total Free-jazz type track, in an odd way. I kinda wish the whole disc sounded like this track as it seemed to be the one with the most purpose. "Dissolved Stomach Calculations" is fairly insteresting as well. Great acid type sound using guitar tapping mixed with some decent drums. Overall this disc is a decent listen and something new for sure. If your a fan of Hobby Knife then you'll like this one. Lots of fun and a ton of sounds!

Harm Stryker - Class Consciousness

2007-08-01T15:26:00.000-06:00

Artist: Harm Stryker
Release: Class Consciousness
Label: Sockets
Year: 2007
Format: CDr
Tracks: 12
TRT: 39:15

This is my second taste of Harm Stryker and my first from the Sockets label. I'm not use to softer styles of noise with sections of the tracks being very quite but if I were to give off an example of a release for a good starting point it'd be this one. Let's just say I didn't hate it and there were some great parts as well. This disc is something that'd get play from me on those days were I just don't feel like listening to harsh noise or need something to read to.

There are 12 untitled tracks 18 seconds to almost 8 minutes. To me this is "sci-fi" noise, much like Pulse Emitter. One has to really pay attention to all the soft changes going on admist the high pitches and low squeeks. To me, however, I think if this were one long 39 minute track it'd have the same effect with me. The tracks don't very much in difference but that's not a bad thing as there's always some changing during the whole listen. The best part about this style of noise is I have no idea how the fuck it's done and that impresses me a lot! I've seen and heard a lot of noise so to hear something that I have no idea how it's made kinda gives me all the more reason to listen to it. Amen!

The packaging for this release is pretty unique. We have a cardboard sleeve, in the same lines as a 2 panel digipak, and inside is the unlabeled disc and 2 cardboard inserts. One insert has the definition of "gentrification" and a big bold phrase on the side "Occupants Rule!" The other insert gives me a headache. It features a full page of text about modern capitalism written by Raoul Vaneigem but the text is all written backwards. kcuf dnim a s'ti tub daer ot ysaE. Overall a great listen incase your ears need to recover and yes, Harm knows how to make noise, even though some insects couldn't hear it.

Rubbish / I Died / Rotted Brain - Hymns For Victims Of The Drug War

2007-08-01T15:08:00.000-06:00

Artist: Rubbish / I Died / Rotted Brain
Release: Hymns For Victims Of The Drug War
Label: Roil Noise Rubbish
Year: 2007
Format: CDr
Tracks: 15
TRT: 57:59

A new 3-way split between some great lo-fi artists that present some fairly great tracks if your a fan of the lo-fi noise wall crunch sounds. Rubbish gives off 6 tracks, I Died presents 5, and Rotten Brain puts out 4 on this disc. All packaged in Roil Noise's typical style with a CDr slipped into a vinyl sleeve with a 2 page full colour insert.

The Rubbish tracks presented here are more of the "junk-noise" style with various house hold sounds and items being played with. Still fairly harsh at times and if you've heard a lot of Rubbish before and like his style than you'll for sure enjoy his end of the split. Live noise with no edits and it's about as rubbish sounding as you can get. I Died tracks are a bit more grainy sounding than the other two artists on the split. If there's anything with high pitches that your looking for on the split than pick I Died's tracks for sure. Still a lot of grumbles as well and some good effects used on some tracks, like a phaser on "Deceptive Winter Skies", and some great delay work on "Phorusrhacids Unveiled", for example. Rotted Brain, who's rumored to have stopped with the project, gives more of the straight up wall sounds with little variation. Track 5, "Total Dropout" is just great. Perfect example of a short crunchy wall noise track that I'm so in love with!

Overall this is a great 3-way split and showcases some of my favorite artists in the lo-fi spectrum all wrapped up in one. Had this been a 4-way with Oubliette it would have been brilliant, but none-the-less it's a great buy for sure.

Colossus - Worshipper

2007-07-23T15:01:00.000-06:00

Artist: Colossus
Release: Worshipper
Label: none
Year: 2007
Format: CDr
Tracks: 8
TRT: 40:42

My second taste of this new ambient/metal/drone band Colossus. I loved the first disc, Tar Heaven Wonders Of The Ancient World, and gave it one of my best reviews. This new disc is no different. Eight tracks packaged with a clear insert that I've yet to see so far. Nice, clean and simple.

The first track, Earth Pulse, opens the disc great with a doom metal sounding style. There's a guitar riff being plucked with some great delay effects and soft tones. The next track, Thunder Pulse, is the longest at 8 minutes. It features more of a drone sound then anything. Some great loops and carried sounds, which soon break apart near the end into some sci-fi collapse. Track three, Psychic Secession, is very melodic and has some great effects. I know Ryan is using guitar but I can't figure out how he's doing it. It's very peaceful and dreamy and one of the better tracks on the disc. It gets really good near the end as well with notes being plucked here and there. Track four, Me Of The City, is one of the more experimental ones. Fairly creepy with some whispers mixed into a high drone and light loops. Half way through some random drums come to beat in and they fit perfect. It makes this the industrial track of the album. Fairly loud at times, but yet, soothing in it's evil intent. It all crashes into the next short track, Landed, featuring a light drone and again, sci-fi sounding. Half way through it begins to sound more like a crash instead of a landing. Very effective. Track Six, Gases From Heaven, gets very doom-metal sounding. Heavy guitar drone with a phaser type effect plays over top of plucked notes. A fairly well done musical drone track. Track Seven, Psychic Redemption, cools the ears down with some light metal guitar delay play. There's some vocal moaning and the track soon gets into an actual song when drums and a tambourine come in half way through. An awesome track but I wish the vocals were more discerable. The last track, Universal Peace, ends the disc in a light ambient drone piece. Again, more guitar drone with subtle happenings and going ons that creep in and out. Good way to end the disc for sure.

I will now say something I don't say often, and I told Ryan this too. Colossus needs to be on CD or Vinyl some day. This guy does such great experimental music that it rivals the likes of Sunn 0))), Boris, and The Goslings. I could play these bands all day simply cause it's not just noise or ambient. It has a lot of reply value and can appeal to more than just the average noise junkie. Like his first disc this is one of my favorite CDr's in my collection and if he ever puts out a CD someday I'll be first in line to get it.

Skrol - Insomnia Dei

2007-07-22T14:40:00.000-06:00

Artist: Skrol
Release: Insomnia Dei
Label: RRR ecords, Chromosome
Year: 2001
Format: CD
Tracks: 7
TRT: 41:19

I'm not new to Skrol as a band but this is the first listen of them I had. This version of the CD is the remastered version co-released on RRRecords in 2001. It features seven fairly heavy hitting industrial tunes. I unfortunately didn't get a cover for this album, just the CD itself, so I can not comment much on the artwork, but it maybe like the normal style RRR does with a cardboard sleeve and printed paper insert.

The CD starts off with a ten and half minute track titled, Soaking / Movie Martyr. It features some great guitar loops and a slow pounding bass drum. Soon vocals come in and it's more yelling than anything. You can understand them if you listen closely and they sound pretty clear. The next track, Gasteropod, is in the same vain but features a well played piano loop as well. Track three, U.C.M., has a great "impending doom" feel to it. The high tonal loops and the fast drum kicks are great. Insomnia, track four, starts off fairly light with some harmonic vocals creeping. It's still got some kick to it with a slow drum beat smacking in. These vocals are very operatic as well, which surprised me in a good way. Probably my favorite on this disc. All the tracks on this CD have the same quality to them and it makes it great as a album in it's whole. I don't find myself wanting to skip tracks, much like the Sunn O)))/Boris: Altar disc. All great tracks.

Overall this is a very powerful CD and one that should be played at full volume. It's got me wanting to check out more of this bands material for sure.

Tuft - Gust Of Lead

2007-06-17T13:05:00.001-06:00

Artist: Tuft
Release: Gust Of Lead
Label: Medusa Head Records
Year: 2007
Format: CDr
Tracks: 18
TRT: 35:32

Tuft is Kristopher Lee, whom owns Medusa Head Records. His lastest work, Gust Of Lead, is more of a piece of art than a "noise" release. What we have here is over 300 guitar solos mashed and mixed into 18 separate tracks titled by various numbers, example, track three is titled "20". There really isn’t much range has far as harsh noise goes but what there is is a lot of styles of metal. The fact that there are over 300 guitar solos is a marvel in itself and to hear them all mixed together is brilliant. The mixing is done very well too. You don’t get blasted by to many solos going on at once and you can still focus on certain ones as well, if you choose. My own negative note about this is if your new to the this label and your looking for noise you won’t find it with this release, but if you’re a metal head, look no further.

Now the artwork, the website states it as "packaged in a metallic, cast-resin sculptural sleeve". That’s putting it mildly. This "package" is crazy and must have taken hours just to do each one. All the colour is grey on the sculpture and on the top left it features the artist and the title stamped in, then to the right there’s a 2 inch high castle tower surrounded by grey looking lava all carved in the ground under this tower. The whole "sleeve" is quite a marvel just for a release. I’ve honestly never seen anything like it, outside of some D&D set played on a 5 foot by 5 foot board. In short, this release is very unique and something to be proud of just to own, let alone play in your stereo.

Pulse Emitter - Violent Cosmos

2007-05-17T12:36:00.000-06:00

Artist: Pulse Emitter
Release: Violent Cosmos
Label: Organic Pipeline
Year: 2007
Format: CDr
Tracks: 2
TRT: 49:51

Pulse Emitter has been doing "synth-noise" for over six years now and this is finally the first time I get a good listen of his work. The disc contains two live track over 23 minutes each and packaged in a clear slipcase with artwork of a flower in some nice hue coloured background. The cdr is coloured nicely as well. Simple and crisp, much like the noise which I'll get into now.

Both tracks performed are pretty much the same. This is slow noise! If I were to try and describe a sci-fi style of noise this would be it. The first track has lot's of odd spacey sounds and tunes that carry throughout it that fading in and out of each other. At 15 minutes into the first track it gets very sci-fi with computer bleeps and tones. Like some spacecraft is trying to tell us something, except this is from a movie in the 50's. I liked hearing it when this bleep noise came in a first but it goes on for a bit to long. After a while there's some low rumbles and blowing type wind sound that pretty much ends the track. Track 2 starts off a bit louder than the first with some high level wind type blowing sounds and clicking rumbles. It gets hissy at times with little variation going on. There's some noise mixed together well and then the space noise starts to kick in again at about 4 minutes. At around 8 minutes the space noises start to really get silly to me. The track starts to end nicely with a more ambient style than the previous track but then gets into this space noise again that was same about 10 minutes ago.

This disc was tough for me to judge badly because if understand correctly all the noise was made from just synths performed live in one take, but it just gets a bit lacking at times and puts me to sleep. If this noise was made just from a laptop I would have be even less impressed. It doesn't conjure up a "violent cosmos" to me, more like a ship passing through a black hole or let's say a "violet cosmos", which is what the artwork would indicate. I guess if your more of a fan of ambient noise and projects like Hive Mind this one may be of more interest to you.

Colossus - Tar Heaven Wonders Of The Ancient World

2007-05-16T11:35:00.000-06:00

Artist: Colossus
Release: Tar Heaven Wonders Of The Ancient World
Label: none
Year: 2007
Format: CDr
Tracks: 6
TRT: 41:01

There's 6 tracks on this disc and the titles all start with "At...". A good theme that fits this disc well. The disc starts off with some light guitar drone on "At Rhodes", much like Yellow Crystal Star, it's very melodic. The drone riffs carry for a few seconds and fade into one another nicely. At 4-minutes there’s introduced a rumbled loop as added bass effect thus turning the track in a light doom metal feel. There’s some great guitar effects as well near the end. I was going to do a track by track review but the sound and style is much the same as the first track so I’ll just sum up. It’s ambient guitar. This is stuff to listen to while reading outside on a clear sunny day. It’s the music that evokes memories. All the sounds are crisp and the music is actually decent. This guy knows how to play guitar. There are deeper tracks as well, like track "At Giza", where the guitar has more bass and longer drone. As far as experimentation goes I think track "At Ephesus", at over 11 minutes, is the closest. Lots of guitar play with some random riffs. The disc ends very nicely with a beautiful track titled "At Babylon". Starts with a slow guitar loop and builds up till the end. If your a fan of Boris or The Goslings then check this project out for sure. It's right up there.

The package is a well stenciled white CDr wrapped up in a folded picture of a tree. Don't like the picture much but it does fit with what I said earlier; "Listen to this outside in the sun." There's an insert as well with track titled and such. No website though. All together I enjoyed this one a lot and simply cause of the fact that it's very muscial/ambient noise it has a lot of replay value.

Crossbred - Dead In Her Drum's Rhythm

2007-05-09T10:57:00.000-06:00

Artist: Crossbred
Release: Dead In Her Drum's Rhythm
Label: Organic Pipeline
Year: 2007
Format: CDr
Tracks: 1
TRT: 29:12

Crossbred is a new project to me but they've been around for a few years now. It's a female noise unit from Osaka, Japan so that's a good sign already. There's a lot of guys out there wanting to hear more noise from girls and even though I'm married to a woman noiser, I agree. The world needs more females doing noise.

This track was a live recording at The Rain Dogs in November, 2005. Not sure were that is but I can assume it's in Japan. The track opens lightly with some sampled vocal loop, ring loop and some great synthesizer softly playing in the background. It picks up and there's more bits of noises added with some echo's and fade. The track is very light so far but there's a lot going on. The vocal sample still plays in and out as well. There's the introduction of laser sounds to and some very high pitched feedback at times. At 3:30 a digital delay starts to come in with a quick ripp'n pattern. This style is very in tune with early Dead Voices On Air material or Coil. Experimental and musical at the same time. The synth is great, played by Mayuko, it adds a very nice touch to certain parts of the track. At around 5 minutes the track gets louder with more echo vocals and sounds. Lots of movement in this track so far and I'm just 6 minutes in. Rie Lambdoll is listed as the one providing the sounds and seeing as this is a live take with no edits I'm pretty amazed at all the stuff that was pulled off in one take. Very well done and the live sound production is pretty damn good too, no crowd! At 12 minutes in the style is still going good. Lots of delayed fade ins and outs of sounds and loops. There's some more vocals samples. Then a drum beat starts coming in. Now on thier website it states that they do "free progressive music" but still, this kinda surprised me. I expected it from the title but the drum playing wasn't harsh at all. It was pretty much a tech-style drum. I gotta say I didn't like the track much after the drum came in but I love thier style; "Just keep on dance and killer noise!" such cool and classy chics. I'm a big fan of musical noise for sure but it was too clean sounding compared to the rest of the track, if your a harsh noise fan. There's also a bassline loop that comes in as well. More vocal yells come in too from the Rie. Kinda one or three word yells. Simple and if they were in English I don't think I'd understand them. Throughout all this drum beat noise the synth is still great. Played very well. At 17 minutes the drum finally stops and goes into more experiment sounds with some cool vocal effects. Kinda goes into a circus crazy type bit right now and I love it. Still musical but still fucked up. The sounds begin to start to revert back to what the track was sounding like in the begining, and this is good. I like a lot how the track ends. It was very much in tune with the Japanese sound and I mean that litteraly. Japanese vocals with some Japanese sounding instruments being played. Sadly it ends like someone just unplugged my stereo from the wall.

The artwork is simple as hell. It's a plain black CDr with no text written on it at all and packaged in a plastic sleeve with a white paper sheet that has a picture of a green soundwave on it. A picture of the band or the performance would have been better, if available. Overall, this track was a pretty good listen and the drum bit was only for a short time. I probably would have like it a lot more if there was a live version without the drums and then a remix version. It's got a lot of good elements in it though. Sometimes it's ambient other times it's harsh, but the harshness is about a 2/5. It peaked me enough to wanna hear more from these girls, er, I mean artists.

Atläs - Catacombs

2007-05-05T00:46:00.000-06:00

Artist: Atlas
Release: Catacombs
Label: Elite Tapes
Year: 2007
Format: CDr
Tracks: 2
TRT: 18:24

This is the very short EP of Atlas's release from the label Elite Tapes. Judging from the website and it's first release this label looks to be off to a good start. And yes, the labels first release is not a tape.

Both tracks are untitled and they are the type of noise tracks I'm starting to get into more. Very musical sounding. The first track, at 8:57, starts with a light fading in drone and soon newer softer drones and wisps coming. They all fade very well together and smoothly. There's a few subtle loops as well that drift in and out of the soft haze of noise. Around half way through it picks up a bit with the level of drones and tones and then fades out into a loop to end the track.

Track #2, at 9:26, starts with water dripping and again, soft drones and tones that fade in and out. Sounds much like a Edward Ka-Spel experimental track he would have done with Tear Garden. Really light and smooth. Moves in the right directions and isn't boring at all. Both of these tracks would play fine on a creepy horror flick as just background noise. Both these track also seem to fit a certain formula the artists had in mind, which I like a lot because it means he put thought into this creation.

The packaging and artwork is the DIY style with a 2 panel cover in a plastic sleeve and limited to 28, but I'm so use to seeing these now that I don't even think twice anymore. I just go for the noise and in this case I really would love to here more from Atlas.

Xedh - El Extasis Y La Agonia De La Hormiga Electrica

2007-04-23T15:35:00.000-06:00

Artist: Xedh
Release: El Extasis Y La Agonia De La Hormiga Electrica

Label: Far From Showbiz
Year: June, 2006
Format: MP3
Tracks: 3
TRT: 14:46

My first listen from Xedh was this creepy looking MP3 release on Far From Showbiz. There are only 3 short tracks from 4:35 - 5:23. The first track, Tokyo Lucky Hole, starts off with slow vocals mixed with odd sounds and a quiet low pitched tone. There are some movie samples played low as well. A very dark ambient track that has me wanting to play this on halloween with the candles lit up. Track 2, El Extasis Y La Agonia De La Hormiga Electrica (Parte Uno), begins with the low key tone again. A high pitched sound fades in softly with some hidden noises mixed in. There's a lot in this track that's easier to here either really loud or with headphones on. I recommend really loud stereo! It is really quiet at some points but the tonal fade is great. It builds up and down very well. Track 3, El Extasis Y La Agonia De La Hormiga Electrica (Parte Dos), begins with what sounds like soft scrappings. It doesn't follow the other tracks as well. Kind of more glitch noise with less ambient sounds. It picks up nice in the end. Heavy, fast and loud.

The artwork is awesome. The left side features a half skull with some nice dried blood red stains on it. The right side is very black with great font text. Would make a great LP sleeve or poster.
Defiantly a great starting point if your new to Xedh.

DCLXVI - Enoch

2007-04-23T15:07:00.000-06:00

Artist: DCLXVI
Release: Enoch
Label: Far From Showbiz
Year: Jan, 2006
Format: MP3
Tracks: 6
TRT: 23:38

I haven't heard much from DCLXVI but this release was downloaded over 300 times on the website so I thought I'd review it. There are 6 tracks, each sub-titled as a Canto and each track gets progressively louder from one to the next, so it says. Same as the length of the track times as well. Starts out short until the last track, which is at 6 minutes.

The first one is what it is; Canto I: The Whispering Ocean. It has soft whispers layered with subtle light pushes and brushes of noise. Very quite and very low. Canto II: The Hydra, has some soft high pitches with an echo to start. Soon comes in a low slowed down voice stating something I can't make out. There's what sounds like a reversed feedback sound as well. Creepy. Canto III: The Golden Serpent, has some various key played sounds that fade in and out in frequency. The pitched shifted scrapping type sound also varies in speed as well. Still a very quiet track and we're half way through. Canto IV: The Red Emperor, starts off musical sounding with slow ambient keystrokes. About half way through the strokes stop and some low and high screeches come in. Violins or something. I don't know, but it's improv style for sure. This track reminds my of some material Ctephin has done so if you like that style than this track should please. Canto V: The Blind Priestess, starts off, again, quietly. There's a hidden rumble that builds speed and intensity. Not at all loud, but another ambient track. Half way through some guitar type pluckings come in at random. There's a rhythm somewhere in there. Canto VI: The Screaming Rabbit, finally showcases the loud noise coming in. A lo-fi feel for sure and lots of feedback highs. Also sounds like a phaser is used in one sample. In and out, in and out. The track ends with a vocal whisper like something out of "The Ring".

The cover artwork is great. A crusted looking picture of a mask with red paint down the bridge of the face within a dark background. Gloomy. Overall a fair release. I like the noise a lot but I don't think each track builds up in noise level as I though it was...not until track 5 hits anyway.

Q & A with Net-Label "Far From Showbiz"

2007-04-23T11:07:00.000-06:00

Here's a quick Q&A interview I got to do with Wojciech Konieczny, owner of Far From Showbiz. This net label has over 100 release from artists like Jake Vida, Retro, Disthroned Agony, Oubliette, Ironlung, DJ Redskeye, and DCLXVI. Anything from noise, ambient, field recordings, to techno.

1) You're from Poland, correct?

Yes, it’s a small shithole in Eastern Europe.

2) How did you first get into noise?

First impression was best, I was maybe 15 then so it was around 13 years ago. I listened usually black/death metal then, in I borrowed a cdr with mp3 from my mate. I played a random track from it and it was MASONNA, then I thought - that guy must be really fucked up and people who listen to it are probably worse hehhehe. But not so long ago I was just seeking something different, I couldn't listen things I listened always. I met a guy on dc++ and he allowed me to download NOD [they are probably from Britain, but I’m not sure], 'the story of 3 little pigs, and big bad wolf, that was it... after this day I listen to the noise mostly, I’m addicted heheeh.

3) What made you decide to run a net-label for noise/ambient/electronic and why did you pick Far From Showbiz as the name?

I'm big fan of Norwegian band Beyond Dawn. Its the only rock/pop band I bought original cdrs and I try to complete their discography. They play for a very very long time, and they are great musicians. Yet still they are complete unknowns. So when I was hit by idea of creating netlabel, I already had a name for it. A title of song from their newest album. Check out their site http://www.beyonddawn.com/news.htm there is a few mp3s for download.

You have a lot of different styles on your net-label, Far From Showbiz, which is your favorite?

Yes, FFS doesn't have any strict music line. Everything depends on my mood, and of course which is more important I have to be interested in album I release. Its hard to describe, but I can listen noise almost always, for ambient/electronica I must be in certain mood to be attracted by it... Lately I must say I listen only noise releases from FFS, but I see all of albums as interesting things. I have even a rock band, but its a local group, lyrics are funny but you have to know polish to understand hehehe. Favorite is always noise, lately I wanna to make FFS more devoted to this genre. I do not accept as much non-noise now.

5) You also do DIY CDr's with your label, any other formats coming in the future?

I would like to. But I live in my own way which probably isn't acceptable by most people, and also gives me almost no money. I have my social money, and I work for 4h per day for some shitty money. I'm not interested in regular responsible job, I’m not type of a working man, I can't work with people blablabla. I would like to release tapes too but I cannot afford it. When you spend more than 3/4 monthly cash for alcohol, and for rest of it you trade cdrs with other people its hard to release tapes. cdrs have a lot or almost only positive sides, they are cheap, fast to record, also listening them is more user friendly, try to jump to another track in tape player ehheeehe and you are my god :)

6) Your label has well over 100 releases so far, is there a limit for FFS?

I wanna to continue this until it gives me satisfaction. I hope it will never end. Maybe someday I’ll change my mind but I’m not gonna do this so fast.

7) You work with Pat from Non Quality Audio as well, which I'm a fan of, what's that like?

Its Patrick who runs it. I only made a basic website which is pretty good I think ;) I don't like a sites where I have to make random hits to get what I want. sites should look as easy as they can to be user friendly, without flash and other shit like this. Anyway, it was totally his idea, I only maintained it in early days. I try to be on the news in NQA, there is a lot of good stuff there, some are complete crazy. Its not a smaller brother of ffs, or sub-label of ffs anymore, but fast growing netlabel that is going on its own, its great to see it. Also amounts of releases did by Patrick scares me, but in positive way hehehe. He can move freely in very different kinds of music, this is fantastic in my opinion, cause I don't have such ability.

8) Thank you for your time. Did you want to add anything?

Check out our website at www.farfromshowbiz.tk & send me your works. Thanks a lot for this opportunity to show FFS to more people! Cheers!

Rubbish / Circle Six - In Praise Of Forgotten Gods

2007-04-11T16:12:00.000-06:00

Artist: Rubbish / Circle Six
Release: In Praise Of Forgotten Gods
Label: Roil Noise Rubbish
Year: 2007
Format: 2x3" CDr
Tracks: 2 (one per cdr)
TRT: 16:52 / 11:40

New split release with Rubbish, owner of Roil Noise Rubbish, and Circle Six. This split 2x3" release is packaged in a dual hub, which I'm beginning to love a lot. It's like a sandwich except the two cdr's don't touch each other. It gives the buyer/trader a good taste of what each artist is about. It's all placed in a small ziplock bag with well printed colour art of a temple door. The stencil on each CDr is great as well. Looks pro indeed. Much like a Roil Noise Offensive release.

The Rubbish track, at 16:52, starts off with heavy harsh wall for about 30 seconds, then comes in the sounds of crickets and owls, like this was recorded out doors or something. After a short bit of that the heavy harsh lo-fi rubbish style comes in. Tumbling noise with some hidden sounds in the background that are hard to make out. It then quiets down with some distorted industrial type drums kick'n. Noise rhythms in and out. Not the Rubbish I'm use to but this is just pushing the limit of industrial/noise and I like it a lot. Sounds like it could have been an opening set for Throbbing Gristle. This continues with variations here and there for the duration of the track. Sometimes it will calm down for 10 seconds then bring back up with more heavy noise and a different drum pattern. My favorite single piece from Rubbish I think.

The Circle Six track, at 11:40, starts off with a very musical high tone that runs for around 3.5 minutes. There's some subtle vocal blips and lows scraping sounds. Then at 4 minutes the glitch fuckery starts to hit! Loud pulsation’s, glitch patterns fading in and out, channel movement from left to right, repeated loops, odd sounds, this shit will fuck you up high for sure. It all blows up in your face for a good 4 minutes, then calms down a bit to an ambient soundscape with some clicking sounds placed in and out. The track ends softly this way with some vocal samples lightly cascading in. Good production overall. A great split release overall and if you’re into Roil Noise Offensive at all then this beauty won't disappoint at all.

Insects With Tits - Untitled

2007-04-11T15:54:00.000-06:00

Artist: Insects With Tits
Release: Untitled
Label: 804 Noise
Year: 2007
Format: 5" CDr
Tracks: 11
TRT: 17:07

Insects with Tits is Roger Smith (Chefkirk) & Kenneth Yates (Harm Stryker & Caustic Castle), both of Virginia. This is my first introduction to hearing this project and it's more on the side of Caustic Castle than Chefkirk, as for as style of noise. There are 11 tracks, half under a minute, for a short EP length that could fit on a 3" if they wanted to.

Each track has it's own unique style to it but the sounds run the same throughout each track, as pointed in the insert, this was a one track take with no overdubs, mastering, or synths. I won't go track by track then since it just is one broken up track but it opens up with a high pitched squeal with a bleep and rip here or there for a short 26 seconds and into the next track smoothly. There are a lot of high pitches glitches, rips and shreds with some great delay patterns at times. Track #3 gets into some heavy noise near the end, as well as track #7, which is the longest at 6:49. Track #7 is the best part overall for me because it's not to high pitched and there's great variation and range during the whole track. Track #9 features some great bass as well, which I loved.

The CDr is packaged in a DVD slimcase with a paper insert and the cover art is printed on high quality paper with a textured type image on it. It's tough to review this type of noise as high pitches are not my favorite genre, but it is rewarding to hear something different for once and I do like this release a lot for it production and quality. 804noise are putting out some good releases and this is one of them, especially if you like this style and the two artists involved.

Koff Kirk - A Practical Guide To Personal Serenity

2007-03-26T15:09:00.000-06:00

Artist: Koff Kirk
Release: A Practical Guide To Personal Serenity
Label: Organic Pipeline
Year: 2006
Format: 5" CDr
Tracks: 4
TRT: 36:43

Koff Kirk is Roger Smith (of ChefKirk) and Jan-Morten Iversen (who does most noise under the title Iversen) and is an ongoing collaboration. The fact that these two are working together on a release was enough to want me to review it. This release is noted as a .wav file collaborative project thats heavy on the digital manipulations. All tracks are untitled and it comes packaged in a DVD slimcase with no inserts. The front cover is a black & white picture of a close up of a cloud I believe. No art on the CDr either. Simple.

Track 1, just under 6 minutes, starts out with crunching that’s about as textured as you can get. It’s then quickly switches to some high pitches squeals with loud scrapping tones. Near the 3 minute mark a great loop comes in that sounds like an eastern guitar. Very nice and it truly works well with the track and it distortion of high notes and tones.

Track 2, the longest one at over 21 minutes, sounds very much like one long live take. Like I’m sitting in a concert and watching these two perform in front of me, even though I don't think it was. It begins with a lot of metal scrapping patterns and some distortion that hisses lightly in the background. Some feedback occurs as well, which adds to an extra layer of noise. Near 4 minutes it goes into a vibrating low bass tone that switches pitches here and there. There are some great looping patterns that immerge soon after. Then comes in some digital delay rips with a yelling loop added in. Good switching between textures and noise levels in this track for sure. Gets really interesting at 8 minutes and I can’t begin what they’re using to make these sounds I hear. Lots of high and low ends in this track and that helps you get through the 20+ minutes very quickly. An excellent listen overall. It ends with an uber low bass riff that I think is the best part of the track.

Track 3, at 7:25, sounds very "spacey" at the start and soon goes in to a computer sounding rumble tumble with heavy distortion and "computer click" sounds in the background. Hard to describe but I’ve not heard anything like this before. It is however very Iversen sounding from what I’ve heard. My personal favorite track on this disc. If your use to the cut up style of noise like some Sissy Spacek and Jake Vida then this track fits right in. Track ends with a massive high-pitched note that I couldn’t even finish…hurt the fucking ears.

Track 4, at 2:07, finishes the disc off nicely with a low bass digital glitch that repeats at 300bpm. Half way through it pulls out and gets into a different pattern with some minor distortion layered overtop and ends like the previous track, a high tone that just drove my cats crazy.

Separately I’ve heard these two and I think they’re noise is some of the best I’ve heard. This disc is the first time I’ve heard them together and although I’d rather hear their solo works hearing the two of them was a treat and I wasn’t disappointed at all. Noise I truly never heard before.

16 Bitch Pile-Up: Bury Me Deep

2007-03-15T11:52:00.000-06:00

Artist: 16 Bitch Pile-Up
Release: Bury Me Deep
Label: Troniks
Year: 2007
Format: 5" CD
Tracks: 9
TRT: 51:45

Horror noise is something I’m a fan of and it’s not just the artwork that has to appeal to me but the sounds also have to evoke a horrific emotion as well. The new 16 Bitch Pile-Up disc does exactly that. When I saw the artwork, which I’ll explain a bit later, I had to own this. Listening to the sounds when I got the disc was something else. The artwork put me in the frame of mind I needed to be in and after hearing the experimental tones on the CD I was enthralled and ready to rate this as the best release of the year, it’s only March!

There’s a good mix of track lengths in this release. Ranging from 7 seconds to 18 minutes, all untitled and they all flow together well. The first track grabs you right away as a good introductory piece. Slow moving scraping sounds with muffled vocal hisses. If you’re a fan of Woman of the SS it’ll appeal to you for sure. Track #2 is probably my favorite and the one that sets the tone of this disc to a "T". It’s an 18 minute slow moving tonal synth piece. Not much variation but it’s a track to listen to with the lights off at the witching hour. I listened to it at noon with the Sun in my face and I was still creeped out! Track #3 is footsteps with a creaking door and SLAM! Seeing as how this disc is telling a story, this tracks fits well. Track #4 starts off with sounds of racing bikes and engines mix with tonal bass tabs. I see the inspiration in these bitches’ eyes while making this disc. The track is not what I call normal noise that I’m use to but again, it fits well with the rest of the disc. The track features more bike sounds however than noise, which some may get turned off from after 11 minutes of it. Track #5 is a 8 minute experimental sound piece with sounds of rubbing things together it sounds like, not sure what. Maybe symbolizing a poor boys torment? Who knows. After a minute more noises creep in. Echo sounds that sound like muffled vocals again. More of what we heard in the first track with more variation. Alarms ring and a nice heart beat pound to finish it off. Track #6 begins with a louder pounding of a heartbeat with pokes of metal sounding noises slowly finding it’s way in. The track then begins to more in a double heat beat with a bass loop. Started to shake my wall unit. There’s a great electrical sound in the track too that sounds like it’s right out of an old Frankenstein movie. A good 4 minute piece overall. Track #7, at 7 seconds, is pretty much a 1 second clip of a huff. Then track #8 hits you like a punch in the face. Wall noise of screaming to the extreme. Ear blistering vocals from the bitches’ come at you show you what it’s like to fucking die!!! Damn, they can sound good getting murdered. After almost 2 minutes of yelling a cheap ass happy tune plays in. Not sure where it’s from but it says, "This one’s for you" a few times so I think I get why they placed in on the CD. My second favorite track on the disc. The disc ends with a short 23 piece of a banged loop that fades out with a high pitched tone. Overall this disc was just grand in its performance, now, let’s talk about the artwork.

The layout, done by Damion Romero, is like something from a 80’s horror flick. Electric font in purple and little ads in print stating "from the band that brought you…They Went Extinct Because They Became Invisible…" and "The beaches were covered in blood…and so were the bitches!" Just love it and again, it sets this disc apart from 99% of the others out there. The photography, which features the cast of bitches murdered all blooded, was done by none other than David Lim of Tralphaz. Didn’t know he could take such good pictures and after seeing this release he’ll probably do some more. There’s three ladies, Sarah Bernat, Sarah Cathers, Shannon Walter and each of them gets sprawled out and left for dead on the beach. One, featured on the cover, is on a sacrificial rock. Poor girl. The insert even folds out to a poster. If you get one disc this year make sure it’s this one. I know there’s a lot of horror fans in noise and this one sets your mood 100%. Pure and perfect.

Scalar - Ephemera

2007-03-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

Artist: Scalar
Release: Ephemera
Label: none
Year: 2006
Format: 5" CDr
Tracks: 7
TRT: 25:15

This is Scalar's first release and length wise I'd believe it to be an EP. There are a total of seven tracks and all of them are nearly the same length, between 3:05 and 4:18. This is some really unique experimental music as well. It's a great mix of MIDI drums glitched up, some guitar samples stretched, and great drones. It's interesting to note that I get a feeling of some many different genre's all at once. Grindcore even pops up sometimes.

Hivecrusher, track two, is one of the better ones. A great glitch pattern persists for the first while with some great droned loops that are a bit distorted. There's actual notes being played as well so it has a great musical vibe to it. It's not just hammering at a drum pad or pressing random keys. There's a great feeling of Aphex Twin mixed with AE mixed with Morbid Angel...I shit you not!

Track four, Betrayer3, is full on noise. The only noise track on here. Wall noise with an occasionally pause here and there. Some high pitched drones follow as well but for the most part this one needs to be turned way up!

The rest of the disc follows in the same lines as the first three tracks. Great glitch patterns and tonal notes that drone in between. I think the length of the disc is perfect. Any longer and I might have gotten bored as the variation doesn't change a whole lot.

The artwork is a white CDr disc place in a paper sleeve with a clear window. The insert is an excellent looking gold paper print with the Scalar symbol in black. Great fonts too. Overall for a first release this is a great listen and I really look forward to hearing more from Scalar.

Various - Haris Pilton Noise

2007-03-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

Artist: Various
Release: Haris Pilton
Label: Roil Noise Rubbish
Year: 2006
Format: 5" CDr
Tracks: 13
TRT: 54:07

Roil Noise Rubbish is a new label run as a "trade only" style under the noiser Rubbish. This CDr is the first compilation on the label and is very DIY. There are a total of 13 tracks, some copies have 12 from what I hear but I believe the unlisted tracks are Rubbish himself anyway. I'll list an artist by artist review for the compilation seeing as how there's a few different styles of noise but they have one thing in common, they're all remixes of Paris Hilton tracks.

Starting the disc is an opening track by ADF. Put Things In My Butt is a great opener. Harsh scrap'n remix loops of some great pop beats. It's opens with Paris "Make a lot of noise, I don't wanna be quiet." Suits it to a "T". You can actual bob your head up and down to this noise remix too.

The next 3 tracks, The Morning After A Night In Paris Parts 1-3, are glitch remixes done by Circle Six. Turning out to be a glitch master after I hear each release I just love what he did with Paris Hilton's tracks. There are a number of things happening within each of the 3 songs. Groovy skips and loops. Manipulation of speed with her vocals and music. Sometimes there's a drone or two and track three ends very industrial like. It's great! I'm reminded a lot of Kid 606 when I hear Circle Six remixes.
Track 5, Coca-Cola, is an untitled track. Fully distorted and fucked up. Again, Paris Hilton sample "Make a lot of noise" is heard throughout. I like the track but I think too much of the original was used. I wanna hear noise, not pop music.

Next two tracks are done by E.E. First one, Eeriolmegamix, uses great loops and a lot of fucking bass but the track is way to repetitive for my taste. The next track of E.E.ItstheParisHiltonAss! is the longest at over 10 minutes. It begins with a great opener of some child’s cartoon that has words spliced together to say, "It's the Paris Hilton Ass!". It then goes into total wall noise with some high pitched sounds here and there and scratches as well. Keeps you on your toes. Back and forth back and forth. Then the outro follows. Clean well-done noise. Can't hear much of the original PH in this one.

Hematurge follows with a great harsh blitz, I'm Not Leaving Without You Impaled. It's harsh wall noise heaven with subtle loops here and there. My kind of noise for sure as this is some of the style I'm use to playing myself. at 3:46 is short and sweet. Probably my favorite on the comp.

Lonely Carbon follows with Y-soula-Ej. This track is probably the least noisiest on the compilation. It's pretty much a remix of a PH track with bass added. Repetitive and it could have been better if the bass, which is very good, was left by itself with noise.

Nxfxtxex comes with the most ambient sounding track, Putthecucumberupmybutt!. I like this one a lot. You can just barely tell that PH samples are being used and that notes are being stretched. Great feel and looped well. Very digital feel to it too.

Paris Hitler, whoever this noiser is, comes with a low-fi track that's pretty mono and sounds like it was done live in a bar. Not that great and pretty boring too. Skip!

Rubbish then comes with an unlisted track that's a harsh ass bolt of pop lighting. A short track, 2:24, but one of the better ones on here. Brutal way to end it.

The artwork comes in a paper 5" sleeve with a collage type look. In side features cut outs of adult classified glued on. I have a couple numbers to call now I guess. Now, I'll end by saying that I may have a few of the artists tracks incorrectly listed as some copies I guess have 12 tracks and mine has 13. I'm pretty sure the 5 are correct but after that I'm guessing. Overall it's a great remix compilation and I hope there's more pop muzak rip ups in the future from this label as this is the type of thing that can make noise fun.

Chefkirk - Giant Squid

2007-02-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

Artist: Chefkrik
Release: Giant Squid
Label: 804noise
Year: 2006
Format: 5" CDr
Tracks: 6
TRT: 47:51

When I got this disc I thought; "Cool, I've heard a lot about this guy and have never heard his material yet." So I put it in the stereo, set at my normal volume for noise, pressed play and nearly jumped out of my skin! It's 6 weeks into 2007 and I think I got my topper of the year so far. The volume on this disc was recorded very loud and I love getting surprises like this.

Chefkrik provides six tracks of harsh ass noise that has some well done production in it. Even though the tracks are untitled thier order is perfect. Track One starts us off with some great blasts of harsh walls mixed a couple higher notes here and there. But the movement is well done. A great short opener to whats coming. Track Two begins slowly with some hisses that play for a minute of less and then the track begins to build and build into a monster hiss and then slowly gives off again with a odd sounding loop that sounds like the end of a vinyl records skipping. In behind it we have some high tonal noise to give your ears some balance. Track Three starts with a slow fade in of a looped wall that builds and builds up speed and interlayered noise begins to come in. Glitchy scrapes and hisses swirl about your room and then the track gets into some awesome delay pedal work and is harsh as hell. Probably my favorite track on this disc. Track Four starts with some more delay works and loops of noise mixed with hisses of harsh blasts. I'm going hate to say this but this release remindes me a lot of Merzbow's early 90's material and that's saying a fucking lot because MA was in his prime then. At 9 minutes long, like the last track, you never feel like you sat through 9 minute because so much is going on and grabbing your attention. And that's what this release did for me right away, grabbed my attention. The ending of the track features some drum loop as well, which surprised me because it's the first time hearing any drum in this release at all. Track Five, is something to give your ears a rest. At 13 minutes long it take a while to develope into something loud. Pretty much takes about 7 minutes before it starts to pick up nicely. Begins with a soft static loop that slowly builds up level by level until the track ends. Lots of hisses. Track Six is a crashing, bashing, drum craze. Sounds like Mr. Smith went drum machine happy and delay crazy. I love it. The disc ends in some great loop paterns and harsh delay play and it's a great way to end this awesome disc.

The artwork in something that surprised me. A simple red and blue cardboard paper sheet with an insert telling me to be Vegan. After looking at the Caustic Castle package I wondered for a second if this came from the same label. I don't hate it but I also think it suits the material on the disc so it's not all that bad. A good buy $5 ppd US!

Caustic Castle - Untitled

2007-02-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

Artist: Caustic Castle
Release: Untitled
Label: 804noise
Year: 2006
Format: 3" CDr
Tracks: 3
TRT: 12:05

The lastest EP from Caustic Castle, who is Kenneth Yates of Harm Stryker & Insects with Tits, is a short 12 minute blast of high pitched tones and blistering scrapes. I'm not much of a fan of minimal high pitched tonal noise so I can't really give an objective view to this release 100%. What I will talk about is the production and artistry of this release.

There are three tracks and the first one, Sharp Objects, is nothing more than a few high pitched bleeps and that come one after another. Not much is really mixed together in this track and there's not much flow. However, the tracks in this release get better as they go. Track two, The Peoples Stoker, as more of the high pitched tones but layered with it are low slow moving scrapes and pushes of static. This time there is more direction in the track and it has a lot more replay value than the first one. The third track, Knives And Daggers, features far more noise and layers. Again, there's a lot of high pitches and laser type sounds but there's more and more of it mixed with other happenings that get you more interested in what's going on. I like this track the best and it gets louder and better right to the end.

The artwork for this mini-disc is great. A simple symbol type image on the front and inside features an insert with track/artist info over some old Globe maps. Same as with the artwork on the disc image itself. All packaged in a plastic 3" case. Looks very professional. Overall I'd give this release a 3/5 simply because I like my noise to be a lot more aggressive and a lot of shit moving with layer upon layer. However, I will say this is a good start for Caustic Castle.

Circle Six - Struktur Sets

2007-01-24T14:23:00.000-07:00

Artist: Circle Six
Release: Struktur Sets
Label: Annuit Coeptis
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 8
TRT: 53:45

The first release from Circle Six and my first taste of his noise as well. This disc is defiantly a great beginning to hearing his noise as it ranges fairly well from track to track. There are 8 tracks all titled as a Struktur Set from 1-8, but not in numerical order.

Track 1, Struktur (Set 6), begins the CDr as a great ambient loop and then after about 2:30 we begin to hear some glitch patterns slowly come into play. It’s a very well produced track and a great opener as it sets the tone for the rest of the disc. It actually reminds me of some Lesser noise from a few years back.

The release is a great mix of ambient, glitch and at times it can get fairly noisy in terms of the level blasting out of your stereo. Tracks begin quiet as subtle layers increase and fade as the track progresses. Struktur (Set 8), track 3, is a good example of a spacey ambient onslaught of noise. I really like this track a lot and it fades into the next one, Set 3, nicely done as well. Total alien creep noise and it builds up so well, kinda scary too. Struktur (Set 5), track 7, is probably the most experimental glitch track and actually has some great sounds, including Tim Curry from IT having his vocal sample "Don’t you want it?" all mess up, love it.

This is truly a great opening act for Circle Six and I look forward to more. The package is a stenciled CDr in a vinyl slimcase with some good looking textures for the art, brick maybe? Nicely done overall.

Robotic Daly, Eraritjaritjaka, Rotted Brain - Debutantes

2007-01-24T14:20:00.000-07:00

Artist: Robotic Daly, Eraritjaritjaka, Rotted Brain
Release: Debutantes
Label: Alienated Hominid Recordings
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 13 (3-9-2)
TRT: 45:41

A 3-way split featuring 3 artists that my ears are getting a first taste of. The packing is a slimcase with a glued picture on the back and an insert of an Indian wedding it looks like. Gross. The CDr is nicely spray painted with a bloody looking red.
Robotic Daly offers up 3 harsh-ass wall noise tracks with some fairly nice textures. I did not get bored listening to these tracks as something was always going on in the background. Fan of Vomir or The Rita? Check out more Robotic Daly as it’s a similar experience. Great pedal abuse.
Eraritjaritjaka, say that 3 times fast, offers 9 tracks of some fucked up noise. Can’t really tell what the hell he’s doing at times and there is a great range of noise levels and experimentation between the tracks. Most of the tracks are fairly short, under 1 minute, and I think it works for this release. There is also a live 5-minute track that is my favorite from this set of his. After hearing 3 harsh tracks I needed something different and this artist gave me that. Good bridge leading towards Rotted Brain.
The last artist of this 3-way is Rotted Brain, and he pulls out 2 blisters with some great layered noise. Lots of high pitches, low scraps, hisses, and brutal vocal noise going on. A good mix and it finishes off the 3-way nicely. The last track is especially good with just the types of sounds I was expecting from Rotted Brain. Kind of a wall hiss noise track with subtle layers deep within the wall. Listen closely. I’m a big fan of 3-way splits as it gives the listener a good chance to here what the artists is all about and possible purchase more single releases from those artists…which in my case, I will.

Kenji Siratori - Kill All Machines: Noise Mantra

2007-01-24T09:55:00.000-07:00

Artist: Kenji Siratori
Release: Kill All Machines: Noise Mantra
Label: Medusa Head Records
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 10
TRT: 32:55

Does Kenji know something we don’t? Does he believe he’s leaving this planet soon? With the rate of his output one would think so. He has released a vast amount of CD’s and CDr’s since Oct, 2006 that one can’t keep up. This is my first listen to the Kenji experience and I have mixed feelings about this release.
There are 10 tracks, all titled Mantra 1-10, and it’s a fairly short release clocking in at just under 33 minutes. Kenji creates a distorted spoken word speech on each track and they are all recorded very loudly. Each track features a subtle layer of noise that’s just audible only when Kenji pauses for a breath. While listening to this release I really tried hard to hear the noise more than the vocals, but it was pretty difficult to do so. Mantra 3 and 10 have some great noise and I’d wish Kenji had left a couple tracks as "instrumental" as I think he has some talent in experimentation, we just don’t get to here much of it over his booming voice. But I guess it’s a spoken word release it’s just not as effective as others I’ve heard.
Lucky for us though we have one of the best DIY labels releasing this and lyrics are actually provided for us Westerners. The whole package is really quite beautiful. Pure white CD case with a pure white CDr and a 16 page white booklet as well. I’d be curious to hear more Kenji material but with such a vast amount coming out of nowhere in a short time, where do I begin?

The New Low Standards - Dire+

2006-12-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

Artist: The New Low Standards
Release: Dire+
Label: Pointless Blank Records
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 6
TRT:

The New Low Standards is Jake Vida’s ambient side project and released on his label Pointless Blank Records. There are five previous released tracks and one unreleased track. I am a big fan of ambient material, artists like Dead Voices On Air, Aube, Ctephin and Ghoul Detail. After hearing this release I think I have a new favorite. It’s not just ambient noise, it’s musical sounding and there is a lot of texture in some of the tracks.

The first track, We Die, is a great this ambient music I was talking about. A drone is played in the background with a light high note put in here and there and there is also a very faint loop, like a hum playing throughout the track. Lots to focus on and it’s a great opening track. There are some low notes too and this makes it sound very creepy indeed.

Track two, Dire Wolf, begins where the last one left off. The low hum loop starts off and most of the same noise are heard but played different. I think I hear a guitar but it could be anything these days. At 3:40 something happens. A great organ type sound comes in. High and light, and drones away till the track ends at 4:45. Well done.

Track three (the longest one at 11 minutes), Werewolf Sexomnia, begins with some faint drones that you need to be very aware of. Soft and light sounds that cascade around your room. In the background there is a very light drumbeat as well. It doesn’t take away the drone effect cause it is very soft. This track seems very tribal and has a worship-the-werewolf feel to it. It works very well and happens to be my favorite on the disc. There are a lot more high-pitched drones in this track past the 5-minute mark and they very well could represent the Wolf howl. At 10 minutes the drum beat gets louder to end the track. Well produced and planned all around.

Track four, Rotting Ice, carries more of the same type of drones as in the last tracks. It’s not like these tracks are all the same though. They have their own place on the disc and Jake is just using the same methods. Out of any of the other tracks this one has the most high pitched notes in it. Along with a looped symbol hit from a drum it sounds. It ends beautifully too and although it’s my least favorite on the disc I still thinks it’s great.

Track five, Seeing Evil, is the low note drone track. Lots of layered sounds and all at the low pitched style that I seem to like more. This track is for the darkness. Play loud and close your eyes for an experience. Within the low drone there is a scraping tickle loop that fades very nicely into the track. It ends as the tickle picks up noise at the 7 minute mark.

The bonus track, Stone Tongues Speak Part 2, is much like the first five in style and fits this release well. I wouldn’t have known the difference if it didn’t say it was an unreleased bonus track. Very soft and faint drones layer in and out of each other over 9 minutes. This track ends nicely to with some high pitched sounds moving in and out. A very good track to end a marvelous disc.

With all Pointless Blank Record disc this is very limited and made to just 20 copies. The printing is fantastic and the CDr itself looks like a pro job. Jake needs to limit his works to over 50-100 so that more people can hear his works. It purely amazing material and I recommend that if anyone sees a copy of Jake Vida’s projects, like this one, to snatch it up quick and never get rid of it!

Jake Vida - Ten Arrows

2006-12-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

Artist: Jake Vida
Release: Ten Arrows
Label: Pointless Blank Records
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 2
TRT: 42:10

Jake Vida, an artist out of Ontario Canada, and has always been on my favorites list since I first heard him in early 2005. His style of noise always manages to impress my senses and I have yet to hear the same thing twice by him. He mainly does the cut-up style noise, but it’s put together with thought and planning it seems. Ten Arrows is no different.

There are two tracks, titled Ten Arrows 1 and Ten Arrows 2, one is 24 minutes and the two is 18 minutes. The first Ten Arrows track is just brilliant. It starts off pretty slow for the first minute. Drone, harsh, drone, harsh, and then after the 2 minute the barrage of 1 million things going on at once begins. Lots of channel switching and mind fuck manipulations. This is one type of release where you can play it over 50 times and get something different out of it each time, much like Merzbow’s Pulse Demon or Massona’s Frequency LSD release. There’s vocal screams that come it at times and they’re harsh and with a purpose. "Let me the fuck out of these speakers!" Bloody amazing track. I was 7 minutes into it and this release was already on my top 10 list for 2006. At 8 minutes you can finally recognize some sounds sources and what sounds like feedback and some delay, but then the lashes come at you again. Perfect, as it gave me time to breathe. At 11 minutes there’s another break where the vocals really come in. A long scream from hell. At 12 minutes we get some great delay loops playing in the background along with the mish mash of noise. The track ends perfect too. It was like I was listening to a song or something. After 22 minutes of a total noise attack it fades out into this nice trickle loop.

Track 2 is just as good. It begins with a soft metal scraping and then a static loop comes in and repeats for a while. I get the feeling that this is just setting you up for something fierce, and I was right. The same cut-up style begins and lots of sounds are running through your head at once. It’s perfect noise to me. It’s just as harsh as the first track and just a mad! It seems more "live" than the other one though and I don’t really know how Jake does it, but kudos to him. During this release I found myself a few times replaying what I just heard cause; "…it was a cool fucking sound." Love it!

Unfortunately this release is very limited. Made to 12 copies at first and then an extra 5 were made with different colour covers, which are printed on beige textured paper. Looks nice and professional for just a short run. I’d recommend Jake do some vinyl some day as this is the type of noise that is worthy of keeping around for 500 years and not just the life span of a CDr.

Stimbox - Lazer Noise Up Your Ass

2006-12-13T13:57:00.000-07:00

Artist: Stimbox
Release: Laser Noise Up Your Ass
Label: Hebi Like A Snake
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 26
TRT: 69:39

Stimbox, Lazer Noise Up Your Ass, is a collection of tracks that were "previously released" in one form or another and is now released on his label "Hebi Like A Snake" in one CDr. The first track is the epic "California Scheming" which has caused a kind of rift in the space time noise scene continuum. The idea behind this track was that some of these sound sources appeared on the four sides of the 10 LP California Boxset which was released by Troniks, RRRecords, and Groundfault. Half of the people that have heard of or are part of this boxset will claim that Stimbox did not add any noises to these four live sets at all, while others claim that you can clearly hear Stimbox’s ‘lazer noise touch’ in some of the tracks. I’ve heard examples from the LP sides and this track, "California Scheming" and I’d have to say you’d need to be a maniac not to tell the difference. Yes, noise is noise and has no notes, but an ear can tune into sound and I hear the Stimbox samples in these LP sides clearly. Don’t ask me which LP sides they are cause I can’t remember and that’s for you to find out. Yes, most of the noise in this long 22 minute track sounds like lazer blasts, but they’re good lazer blasts. Cannon shots ripping from channel to channel with great echo effects. Lots of hiss too! One thing is certain, whether the sound samples are there or not I think it helped boost sales for the 10LP set as well as Stimbox’s releases, which is all I really care about in the end.

Track 2, 5:51, was a biz-card released on Troniks a while back and is a lot more tame compared to the last track. It features some electric scrapes along with electric bleeps and blasts. This track has the same style that makes up the last one and I like this one a lot better simply cause it sounds more "live" than anything. A good short shot!

Track 3, Squid Ripper, was a track that was done with the split cassette tape on Troniks with The Cherry Point. It sounds like what it is too. High pitched feedback with a slow drone tumbling in the background. Not my favorite track but it ends nice and harsh. The last 3 minutes make up the first 7.

Tracks 4 and 5, Impulse I and II, were featured as a 3" that was released on Sewer Records. Impulse I is great. It starts off slow with a few high hisses and some feedback and then it goes into a great terrifying non-stop barrage of slashes and heavy smashes. Lots of movements and the track is ever changing. Not in a cut-up sense, but just in great hand movements with Tim’s pedals and knobs. Impulse II is a bit different and has a lot more echo and delay. Something I like as I do this style often myself. About half way through the track then comes at you with more harsh walls and flicks of paint start shooting at your face from being ripped of the wall. A great 3" this was!

"Lupus Tuberculoso" makes up the remaining tracks, 6-26, and these were previously released as a 3" as well. All the tracks are short and range from 43 seconds to 1 minute. It seems to be mastered quieter than the other tracks but they all flow together like one long track. This is my least favorite noise in this compilation. There seems to be no movement just a bash of noise that echos for a bit until another bash of noise follows it. The tracks do get harsher as the CD ends and it’s good cause I end up liking it more by the time the whole CD is over. This is some of Tim’s older material too, recorded in 2001, so it’s not bad, his new stuff is better.

The artwork is great and features a large collection of laser toy guns with the "Metallica" looking symbol of Stimbox over it. The printing is sharp and the CDr print is well done too. All in all I think this is a great collection if your new to Stimbox and also a makes a great guide to that fabled tale; "Was Stimbox on the 10LP California set or not?" Buy both and tell for yourself.

Rabbit Girls - Demonizer

2006-11-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

Artist: Rabbit Girls
Release: Demonizer
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: Two 3" CDr
Tracks: 2
TRT: 39:55

The last time I did a review for Rabbit Girls it was for the very original 3" CDr titled "Hard Drive". It was mainly a glitch noise release and I liked it very much. Well now comes something totally different. Demonizer is a two 3" CDr release that has each mini disc pressed against each other being held by two hubs glued together, like a sandwich. Very simple and very effective. It comes in a zip lock bag with a full colour double sided insert. The pictures presented fit the release and the title very well so it puts you in the mood before you even listen to it.

There are two tracks, one track each disc. The noise used in each disc was used by mixing old Rabbit Girls and Rubbish tapes on two Library Of Congress tape decks, all done ‘live’. It sounds exactly as I just described it. The noise is very high pitched at times, sped up, slowed down, garbled, destroyed, allowed to escape, everything. There is great movement in each of the tracks and the technique used makes the noise ever changing, simply cause the noise on the tapes was ever changing to begin with. The sounds through the first track, Bound By Shadows And Darkness, sound like poor lost souls trying to escape the devil bastards chest. I shit you not the mood of this track works perfect for how it’s presented and track two, The Lifelong Journey Into Nonexistence, is no different. Great effect manipulations and variable speeds and best of all, harsh as hell at times. A release to be cherished by the Gods and a great new sound from Rabbit Girls. I look forward to more of this in the future.

Ghoul Detail - The Ghoul Box

2006-11-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

Artist: Ghoul Detail
Release: The Ghoul Box
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: 5 x CDr
Tracks: 41

The Ghoul Box Set. Roil Noise Offensive’s 50th release and this is a great one. What you get is 5 ambient experimental CDr’s, 3 stickers, and 2 buttons all packaged in a nice looking cardboard case with print on the top. Each disc is individually packaged with an insert and track list in a 5x5.5" 6mil vinyl sleeve, like an individual release would. Ghoul Detail has been creating ambient and experimental sounds for over 3 years and his out put is mainly focused on war and drugs it seems. The box set comes with an insert that details the discs and the tracks, but it also has a quote by Sven Hassel from 1961. It talks about the body movers of the 2nd World War and he label’s it as the Ghoul Detail. Now I know where the name is from and it all finally makes sense.

Getting back to the music, there are a lot of samples used in these tracks. Some tracks have heavy bass lines, some have vocal samples, others have mixed clashes and scrapes, but each track carries with it his distinctive sound. If you’ve ever listened to anything by Plastikman you may know what I mean. The drone may carry throughout the entire track but all the sounds mixed in place keep you from getting board. One of my favorite tracks is on Disc Two: Track 1 "Path Of The Righteous Man", there are lots of movie samples (Taxi Driver to name one), mix with a groovy bass line and the ever present ambient push, it works well like this. Track 4, "Teratogeny" on disc 2 is probably the most interesting simply because it features Lord Greenskull. Within GD’s ambient tone there’s a hip-hop beat with Rap lyrics. When I first heard about this I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m a fan of Prefuse 73 so there’s no surprise that I actually like this track a lot. There a lot of other great tracks in this box set and what I love best is each disc seems to have a theme, could disc 5 be about Dune? Who knows, but the sounds and range of ambient tones make this something to listen to over and over again. I personal do so while reading and sometimes I’ll get surprised and look at the stereo with a smile. Out of all the disc’s I really like Disc 3: Junky, it has 4 tracks with nothing under 13 minutes and it’s the one I think defines the true sound of Ghoul Detail. So, in a nutshell, if they were sold separately some day I’d probably buy this one first. Jon knows his stuff and he deserves the title as "The Soundscape Gardener".

The only negative I have is that some of the tracks can run to long. A good example is on Disc One, Track 5 "Munch The Stinkfinger". It runs just over 13 minutes and it could have been just as well presented had it been half as short. Good drum beats with ambient movements, but it’s a bit too much for 13 minutes.

Check out the review for "Trail Of Tears", which is disc four, here.

Vomir - Encore

2006-11-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

Artist: Vomir
Release: Encore
Label: Masonbruit
Year: 2006
Format: 5" CDr
Tracks: 1
TRT: 22:44

Total brutal harsh wall noise. Or so it says on the package; Nihilist Harsh Wall Noise. I'm a big fan of wall noise and all I can say is that Vomir knows what he's doing. The crisp crunches and bass like wall drones are something that I look for in this style and he does it very effectively. There are however a few points to make. This is almost like an Aube release in the fact that it is 22 minutes of almost the same sound. You don't notice much of a change in pitch until 5 minutes into the wall blast. There are a few channel switches here and there too, which help add depth to the track but I would have like to see more. I do however like the fact that it's only 22 minutes because I think I would have no bothered listening to the end if it was over that.

The packaging is about as DIY as you can get. Black and white art in a plastic sleeve. The cdr itself is just that, a cdr. No writing on it at all. Which I hate, just write the band name on it or something....please. All in all, if you like wall noise and need a good example of it then this is a great demo. I would love to here more Vomir in the future and maybe it could be packaged just a bit better too.

Stimbox - Recycled (CDr)

2006-11-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Artist: Stimbox
Release: Recycled
Label: Hebi Like A Snake
Year: 2006
Format: 5" CDr
Tracks: 4
TRT: 61:05

Perfect!

Tuft - Cannibal Fantasy

2006-11-12T14:22:00.001-07:00

Artist: Tuft
Release: Cannibal Fantasy
Label: Medusa Head Records
Year: 2006
Format: 3" CDr
Tracks: 7
TRT: 21:27

Tuft is the solo project behind the label Medusa Head Records. Every release that comes out on this label is simply amazing. Not just audio wise, but the hand crafted artwork put into each release is the best I’ve seen from even the most veteran DIY labels. This release, Cannibal Fantasy, is no exception. The 3" cdr comes packaged in a blue case with full front and back artwork. There is an insert as well with a hand drawn picture of a 3-D skull. The cdr itself is done well too with label info mixed with circles around the disc. The topper of this release however is the free BONE you get. Limited to 45 copies means each release comes with it's own hand painted bone, and they're given names as well. Mine happens to be "Fourth Metatarsal". Check it out here for the list. The writting on the tag for each bone is even done well, with a calligraphy set it looks like. Brilliant! Now the noise.

The first track, I Absorb You, comes at you with a great rhythmic pulse that vairiants with each passing second. It’s a quick rumble with nothing else distracting it. I get the feeling that it’s done with a guitar or bass. I can’t be sure but at times there’s a drone for a little bit from a string that got plucked. The second track, I Eat Skeletons, is not as strong. Just a straight feedback track. Harsh though. The VHS Underworld, is another great rumbling track with pushes and pulls, and a lot of bass. Chew, the fourth track, is a pick pluck of distorted hits and taps. Reminds me of something NIN would have done as a secret noise track in their early days. The longest track, at almost 6 minutes, is a harsh wall noise track. The loudest of Tuft I’ve heard so far and probably my favorite on here. Titled Oh, The Body, I get the feeling as if the cannibals magnified the sound of them skinning someone alive because it sounds just like that. The skin getting pulled and ripped off is a great thing to hear at this level. Again, the bass is heavy. Track six, You Are Pudding, sounds like someone being drowned in pudding. A very fitting title and it plays it well. Track seven, So Longpig, is a pretty well done experimental track with pulled wires of harshness plugging up your ear drums. This too is a great track from the short disc.

All in all, the noise on here is not some of the best I ever heard but the tracks fit the titles so well, and mixed with the artwork, this is a release that can stick into your mind after playing for quite some time. One of favorites of 2006!

V/A - Population Problems

2006-11-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

Artist: Various
Release: Population Problems
Label: Cephia's Treat Recordings / Obelisk Sounds
Year: 2006
Format: 7" Vinyl
Tracks: 8

This 7" vinyl compilation is something that I thought was just a noise comp. I was mistaken but not disappointed. Four track per side and here is a track by track review:

Byron House – A short garage band jam with some lyrics that are sometimes hard to make out. It’s a simple run of the mill high school sounds, nothing great, but not bad.
Oubliette – The only noise track featured on this comp. Your fashioned with some low-fi effects and TV samples. The sound of Oubliette at it’s finest. If you’re familiar with Seth’s sound than look no further than this comp. It’s the longest track on the side and it’s well worth it.
Then And Than – Casio drums with a light drone and some great organ notes. When I first played this my wife thought I was listening to something from CBC radio. She loved it. A great song.
Turmoiled Functions – Some great slow notes mixed with layered scrapes. This is something that I could see played at a funeral? Maybe it was. A great short tune to end the first side.
The Oals – Xylophone sounds with soft drugged out lyrics. Listen while lying on the grass looking at clouds. A very sad sounding track.
Haves & Thirds – Hip-hop sampled drum beat with a trippy guitar tune being played along with some odd TV samples. The track speeds up and slows down nicely too.
Noche Rider – Another garage rock’n roll jam. This one is better than the Byron House one I think. A short instrumental tune.
The Fas’ners – This one is my favorite. There’s a jazz organ with a bass and light cymbal taps. Very jazz orientated. The track stops, goes to a faster RPM and then slows again. Very short as well and a good idea of what to expect from this band.

I had only heard of one of these bands on here and that was Oubliette. I thought it was a noise comp but what a got was a great mix of bands showing their talents in some pretty decent short tracks. A good buy and something that I’d recommend playing in the summer. It has that roller skate hot day feel to it.

The Barraks Of Afghanistan - Color

2006-11-01T15:34:00.000-07:00

Artist: The Barraks Of Afghanistan
Release: Color
Label: RRRecords
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 11
TRT: 37:26

The Barracks Of Afghanistan’s 2006 release Color is one that I was neither surprised by nor disappointed by. The release is purely 37 minutes of noise. 11 untitled tracks that sound like they were recorded live in one take with no edits. Nothing complicated. I will note that track #2 is much louder than the rest, not in harshness, but in stereo volume. Not sure if this was an error or not but I nearly jumped when it came on.

The track lengths range from 7 minutes to 90 seconds and for the most part each track starts off with a heavy bass rumble for about 10 seconds and then the fun begins. Pure harsh vocal-feedback, crashes of loud clutters and some hi pitched pinches are just some of the noise played in this disc. The last track although sounds like it was recorded somewhere else and doesn’t fit with the rest of the noise, nothing bad, just low-fi sounding. To me, trying to review this disc was like trying to review The Rita. There is nothing that stands out about this noise and yet I like it because it’s pure and simple. I hate it when I expect something from an artist and then get disappointed. You won’t find that from this disc.

The package is Rons trademark recycled paper and collage art in a slim case. Purely simple, like the noise. Now why is it titled Color? Just listen.

Realicide - I Gotta Break Free

2006-11-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

Artist: Realicide
Release: I Gotta Break Free
Label: Realicide Youth
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 5
TRT: 57:11

Realicide has been on tour for some time now and their live sound is some of the most creative punk-noise-core I've heard in a while now. I got into it from the GBN/Merzbow split a few years ago and love the stuff now and Realicide's release, I Gotta Break Free, is no exception. The track listing is broken down into 5 live shows that took place in various states, from LA to TN.

Robert Inhuman and his crew showcase some great effects with the aggressive vocals and pounding drumbeats. There isn't just a hard beat layered over with some vocal trash. You get to hear some great digital delay effects used to loop some pretty far out samples. A great example is their cover of the Black Flag track, "Depression". Being a noise fan myself I like their version better than the original. Robert pushes his voice across the air as the room is filled with some pretty drum'n bass pounding beats mixed with great sampled loops from the original track. Some other great tracks to note are "I W-is-H", which features samples from The Mob. And if you like the straight in your face punk-noise-core jam look no further than "The Shit Punks Hate" and "Art Palace Fossil Fuckers". Perfect mosh pit gore.

Track #2, Open Eyes, stands alone and is one of my favorites on this disc. The simple reason is because it is such a pure early 80's sounding industrial track. Open Eyes puts my mind in that time frame and I feel they could have opened for Throbbing Gristle or something. The other stand-alone live track is "Man O Steel"; this one is up there as well. Perfect.

The packaging is limited to black and white print with a silver spray painted CDr, but you get Roberts and Jim Swills lyrics on the inside sheet so you can read along if you can't understand what the fuck they're saying. Cheap price, perfect punk-noise.

Wolf Eyes w/ John Wiese - Equinox

2006-09-12T17:04:00.000-06:00

Artist: Wolf Eyes w/ John Wiese
Release: Equinox
Label: Troniks
Year: 2006
Format: CD
Tracks: 1
TRT: 44:31

A year and a half of recorded sounds in this disc. July 2004 - December 2005. Something tells me I'm in for a fucking ride. I'll start with the artwork. A cool looking black and white collage that looks very depressing and to make it better, it folds out into a poster to fit your highschool locker. This is pretty much a winner disc here. You like Wolf Eyes or John Wiese? Then fucking buy it!

"Equinox" features a 41 minute piece of digital delay, echo loops that fade in and out, heavy soundscapes that seem to change every 20 to 30 seconds. This is a disc that you'll never get bored of just from the simple fact that there is so many sounds coming at you. This isn't harsh noise but there are some good pieces of sonic blasts, just to check your head. A few times you get a high pitched kick in the ass and some hard ass looped bass hits too. The production in top notch as well. I will say one thing. There is a creepy feel to this long track and that being said it is my pick for that Halloween listen this year. This should scare those fuckers off my lawn quickly!

I won't spoil the ending for you but it's a blast!

Ctephin / Mystified - Diminished

2006-09-12T17:01:00.000-06:00

Artist: Ctephin / Mystified
Release: Diminished
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 2
TRT: 32:54 / 36:10

A new spilt release dedicated to the infinitely small. Both of these artists have an extensive discography and most of their works are something to behold. To see these two working together is like Legendary Pink Dots meeting Big City Orchestra...wait, that did happen. To sum it up, this is one of the most beautiful ambient splits you will ever hear. This is coming from someone who has heard 100's of ambient pieces, so take my word for it.

Ctephin plays some tape speed manipulation of drones, a harpsichord, and even a Tibetan singing bowl. This 33 minute piece has it all. I will mention that his wife plays cello and his daughter creates noises with synths, pedals and teenage attitude. Ha! What a family! The track has great fades from one piece to the next and this track does make me think of how small we really are in the big bowl of space. The heavy drones mixed with bells and harpsichord tones showcase my brain into a place we dare look. The dark, deep vast that seems so far away....so small we are to reach it.

Mystified produces are great 36 minute piece with drones and water. This water recording isn't just him walking up to a beach and hitting record. These water drips echo in and out of this magnificent piece. The track starts off with a terrifying cloud that has broken through my eye's retina. A horrific drone that cascades with echoed water drips that fade in and out that go splashing about my brain. If you love the old works of DVOA then look no further, this is music for the eyes. And this track has bass too. Shook my damn walls it did!

An excellent split from two growing artists in the ambient field. Something for me to look forward to in the future for sure.

Federal Bureau Of Mind Control - Lord Of The Waste

2006-09-12T16:58:00.000-06:00

Artist: Federal Bureau Of Mind Control
Release: Lord Of The Waste
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 5
TRT: 25:49

The new disc by FBOMC comes in a perfect little black 5"x5" case. Small and simple, just like this nice new EP. This is a different style of industrial/noise that I'm use to and I've never heard anything like it. At least the first two track anyway. I had to listen to this disc three times to give it a proper review. There's a lot of great sample pattern's mixed in each track with some looped noises and the first two track feature some great heavy drums. "Skull Peeler" is some scary shit indeed with it's heavy bass. It's truly a great kicker to any industrial terror mixes you might make this year. "Unremitting Error Cycle" is a great glitch style track with bouncing beats and switching rhythms. The last two tracks are of the noisy end and most of the sounds emanate from a static charge with hisses and washy blasts here and there. Not my favorite style, but effective to end this EP.

I would like something to be done to the first two tracks, if the artist is reading this. Please add some lyrics the first two tracks. These tracks are great and some harsh-ass lyrics would truly give it a great feel. Something anyone could listen to, even a zit faced fuck after a KMFDM concert. Anyway, a great EP from an artists with some awesome talents.

The Sunken - Toasted Victims

2006-09-12T16:55:00.000-06:00

Artist: The Sunken
Release: Toasted Victims
Label: Obscurica
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 9
TRT: 63:22

A new offering from the label Obscurica. Toasted Victims offer a great variety of sounds here, and each track has it's own flavor. Vocal belches, PV (Power Vocals) noise, hisses, and tumbling scrapes in the background are some of the sounds you'll hear in this disc. The last track, I Don't Like Video Games, is the loudest on here and what I'd expect from this great act. All the tracks have that "live" feel to them as well. Performed live or not, idk, but it sounds like it and kudos to The Sunken if it is.

Track #3 (Reaper's Lunch) has a deep hollow push that pulls that track forward with no rest and the main sounds increase with some high pitched blasts. Very effective and one of those track that you need to listen to again because you know you missed something.

Track #5 (Zombie Heroin) features Pulse Emitter and this is a total noise wet dream come true. Soft noises and breaks sneak in the background with a heavy synth drifting throughout the track. I love it so! I've played in this territory of noise before and love this style a lot. This is a track that'll appear in my noise mixes each time now. Brilliant!

Obscurica has great packaging with some beautiful color artwork for the case and the CDr itself. My one beef is I don't see what the track titles and the artwork have in common. The artwork has Medieval pictures and tells me a story but then you read the track titles; "Lou Ferrigno Fabric Tear", and I'm stumped. It's not going keep me away from it though. Just seems odd to me to have such great artwork not follow the track titles. Good buy none-the-less.

Ghoul Detail - Monument

2006-09-12T16:51:00.000-06:00

Artist: Ghoul Detail
Release: Monument
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 10
TRT: 74:17

Ghoul Detail brings a new approached to his already extensive soundscape catalog. This time he incorporates drums and beats to his ambient sounds. The disc starts off with a great little intro that has some unique vocal effects and a nice drone crumble. This track gives off a great idea of what to expect from the disc as a whole. Most of the disc contains a drone in the background, to carry the track through, with interlayer sounds and drum patterns beating the way till the end of the track. But it's not that simple.

Track #2 (Penis Enlargement) and track #3 (FYC) show off great examples of GD's approach in this album. Great looped effects and drums groove the way along with the ambient drones and this is a good way of getting someone new to ambient in for a listen. One never feels bored with these tracks and I think it's due in large part to GD's great drum patterns, which also change throughout the track. It isn't just a simple 4/4 beat.

Track #4 (What's Real?) has GD showing his true talents. This is something that I never would have expected and it is done very well. A trip-hop drum beat plays with this lovely ambient tickle in the background. Some great reversed samples and vocal quotes help lift this track to a higher state of the ambient field.

We than have another great track, Track #6 (Slice Me Some Green). This one gives off a jazzy-improve feel with the drums and there's some great use of echo and DJ style noise switching going on. A great addition to this already unique disc from Ghoul Detail. I won't explain all the tracks but this is some of the better one's that are on this disc and these few along are well worth the purchase. The only negative I have is that Ghoul Detail seems to be recycling some sounds in this disc. I don't know if that was intended, but it seems that some samples that appear in one track are used in another, just played differently. Whatever the case maybe I still love this disc and it's my favorite GD to date.

Watchmenmk - Minimal Sessions V1.1

2006-08-02T08:28:00.000-06:00

Artist: Watchmenmk
Release: Minimal Sessions V1.1
Label: Electrobankmuisk
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 11
TRT: 55:57

This CDr is mixed as one long track broken up in 11 parts. I'll start by saying that this is more industrial/experimental than the noise/experimental that I'm use to. Which is great as well. The CDr has a great mix of beats and looped rhythms that never get tiresome. What's this disc actually reminds me of Haujobb, mostly the "99" release. Someone who knows who to mix ambient sounds with glitched drums very well.

What I like best about this CDr is the variety of sounds used in 55 minutes yet WMK is able to keep the same idea flowing across without you wanting to skip a track. Track times vary too from 8 minutes to just under 3 minutes. "Droid Teknik" and "Droid Teknik V2" are probably my favorite on this disc. Showing you a great drum pattern with electro noises in an ambient field. It sounds like this could have been done live in one take and I believe that very much so simply cause of how well it flows.

The artwork is pretty basic with a picture of his equipment on front and back reminiscent of Kraftwerks "Radioactivity". The only draw back is the CDr is not labeled at and I think with the work that went into the case and art that the CDr could use some too. But alas, a great CDr overall and it turns out that Watchmenmk has just released a web release on Roil Noise too. I mention this because the sound and style is very much the same. So if you want to get an idea before you buy, listen here. "2012" is a great release as well and WMK is now a target of mine!

Aro :Pund - To Find Divine, The Human Soul Defiled

2006-07-12T15:25:00.000-06:00

Artist: Aro :Pund
Release: To Find Divine, The Human Soul Defiled
Label: Umbrella Noize Collective
Year: 2006
Format: MP3
Tracks: 7

My first experience with this project and it was a dandy one. I have heard of Android In Motion, which is his main project, and to this day it's one of my favorite releases on the Roil Noise label. But not taking anything away from his side-project, Aro :Pund, there are some similar identities with this MP3 release. Lots of layering and samples are used for each track and he does them so well.

The opening track, Don’t Tell mother Our secret, Baby, is a great soft melodic tone with a few other soft noises that fade in and out of the track. A great way to open any release. I sat there with my eyes closed and the first thing I thought of for some reason was "Blade Runner". Good stuff.

Track two, This is How You Like It, This is What You Want, Now Please refrain from Screaming, as a tougher feel to it for sure as he now introduces heavy drums and scratchy fucked up beats which appear at the end. Probably a track that he could have put on his AIM project and I wouldn't have noticed. A strong track and I know I know that moaning sample from somewhere...fuck!

The longest track, She Said to My Humbled Gray Matter, The Life Has Left Your Lips, is uber ambient and shows that heavy noise with beats is not this guys only gift. This track first reminded me of the movements of ocean currents slowed down to about 1/4 with someone underneath trying to get up for air. A great track at the mid-point to calm your nerves.

When I Spent Too Much Time at the Playground, is a pretty basic track with well done layering samples and scratchy loops. The track isn't bad, just something I'm use to hearing maybe. I found myself just wanting to move to the next track. Again, not a bad track overall, just doesn't add much to this release.

A Decimated Cranial Cavity, And What it Convinces Us To Consume, starts of slow and quiet as more and more material is placed to your ears. Great pushes and movements of sounds and something that I look for in the more ambient side of tracks. Layering is important if you want to keep someone’s attention for 10 minutes with soft, smooth sounds and this track does it well.

The Total Collapse of The Mental State That One Might Receive, is another track similar to the last one. But this one has a more horror movie feel to it. This one stuck in me more than any other of the tracks did simply because I love horror movie soundtracks and this one could have fit in perfectly. There's a kind of low buzzing in the track that pulls your pineal gland forward into focus a bit too...love it when noise fucks your head without drugs. After a bit some samples come in that switch channels and I they sound like reversed vocal samples too. Sounds creepy as hell. Probably my favorite track on this release.

The last track, Inevitable Downward Spiral to the Total Destruction of the Human Soul, is a return to some heavy hitt'n noise. Great rolling sounds cascade with high tonal fuckery. Screams and yells can be heard, unless this track is really fucking me up, but I know they are there. A strong track for sure and ends this release perfectly.

For my first intro to Aro :Pund, not sure why the odd name, I'd say it was very successful. I love Android In Motion and to see his side project sound just as great is something to look forward to. It helps that it was for free too, thanks to UNC.

Kikmaster - Same Shit Everyday

2006-06-22T09:45:00.000-06:00

Artist: Kikmaster
Release: Same Shit Everyday
Label: iLLpHABETik
Year: 2006
Format: MP3
Tracks: 5
TRT: 14:26

I happened upon this label while searching for other MP3 only labels and I came across this one that releases purely breakcore/acid/ drum n' bass type music. Being a fan of Aphex Twin and Venetian Snares I though I'd randomly download one and this was it. I was not disappointed.

Kikmaster comes at you with a short EP release with 5 tracks. The first one, Kill The Master, is pure breakcore with the occasionally glitch break here and there. In your face and a real danceable track if your into this. The second track, The Door To Satan's World, starts off with a heavily distorted drum beat, then smoothes off in a trance for a short 10 seconds, breaks back into the glitch rhythmic bliss and pans off leaving you face a fucking mess. Yeah, total chaos, a noise lover’s dream and the best track on this EP for me. Number 3, Djamalungma Master is a short 1:31, but it gets it’s point across. Great drum beat with a vocal scratch. Blast this one baby. Track 4, I like to tune a radio, is an odd one. Lots of that 8-bit NES feel to it and it could have been on an old video game for sure…like the lost track to World 8-1 on Mario Bros. or something. Not my style, but it’s well written. The final track, Horror Outro, is the most experimental piece on here. Very dark and slow compared with the other tracks on here. It ends the EP off with a good touch and I want more damn it.

A very good listen for what you pay for…which is nothing…it’s fucking free and it’s all good. I will say that I have downloaded another album as well and it to has made me want to burn it and play in on my stereo again and again. This label will keep me coming back thanks to releases like this and all I have to do is; rightclick-save-ok!!!

Textured Bird Transmission - Purple Weighted Pellets Of Despair

2006-06-14T09:12:00.000-06:00

Artist: Textured Bird Transmission
Release: Purple Weighted Pellets Of Despair
Label: Dead Sea Liner
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 1
TRT: 28:48

Holy ambient!!! This is the first release from the label Dead Sea Liner and Jesus Fucking Christ is it good. It’s a short 28 minutes but holy hell this is some of the best ambient noise you will hear. You ever listen to the Bladerunner soundtrack or something from Tangerine Dream, well; this should be included in that list and put in a movie somehow. It’s that good.

I have never heard of the band to be honest but I will perform a seek and hunt now because of this release. It takes about 4 minutes for the sounds to start to pick up and then the greatness begins. Within the tonal musical bliss there is this low synth held down in the background that I just love to death. It sounds much like those creepy 80’s horror movies that used those synths a lot. Listening to this put me in a fucking trance and it was in large part to the held down tone. About half way through it varies a bit and picks up in intensity, still perfect. Holy shit, my head is going to explode. Like massive waves crashing on my head, but viewed in 100 times slow motion. The splashes and water drops twinkle from the crash and spread through the air to create the fog that blankets my mind. Yeah, I’ll say anything, I’m fucking in a trance and this is my new favorite release of 2006.

I am such a lucky guy to have gotten this for free, seriously. You now must by it. I can’t recommend it enough over anything else. It cost 2 pounds which is about $4 American so it’s yours for that cheap. The artwork is simply a red paper slipped in a plastic sleeve. It’s printed nice and I think it suits this release perfectly. If you can’t dream at nights, this release well help. Get it!

Tuft - Lycanthropy

2006-06-14T08:56:00.000-06:00

Artist: Tuft
Release: Lycanthropy
Label: Medusa Head Records
Year: 2005
Format: CDr (black)
Tracks: 1
TRT: 55:40

"In folklore, Lycanthropy is the ability or power of a human being to undergo a "Shapeshifting" transformation into a wolf."

The 2nd release from the fairly new label "Medusa Head Records" and I'll start off by saying that the owner "Kristofer Lee", puts a lot of work into each release. Tuft's Lycanthropy comes packaged in a blue book case, yes. Sitting on your bookshelf you'd think it was actually a book. Hard cover and all. The inside of the book is just as stunning. Great fonts and it look like it came from the late 1890's. I was thinking of placing it in water and heating it to give it that old cracked look, but I might actually rune it.

The noise featured on this disc is one long track created with a guitar and some other short sounds, but the distorted guitar is what you hear mostly. This type of noise would fit right up there with some of that deep bass drone and it sounds like it was all done in one take, live. There is a lot of rumble and tumble through out the track but it can get a bit tiresome after the 30 minute mark simple because it's the same type of noise going on. Much like wall noise, but not as harsh. I think though that this is still a great release and it is in large put to the effort and packaging that went along with it. I probably would have liked the noise more had it been varied, but I don't have to
concentrate as much when listening to this, so that's not so bad. For the packaging alone you get your moneys worth.

Ctephin - Alchemy

2006-06-13T11:11:00.000-06:00

Artist: Ctephin
Release: Alchemy
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: 2x 3" cdr
Tracks: 5 (3: disc 1, 2: disc 2)
TRT: 40:03

One of the best releases to come out of Roil Noise Offensive has just arrived. Ctephin and Noah worked together to bring out a 2x 3" cdr release packaged in a tin case with two stickers and instructions on how you should play the ambient music while burning the incense. Each tin comes with light charcoal for burning the incense on. I’m not sure if all the incense is the same but my release carries frankincense with it to burn. There is even a disclaimer stating that Noah and Stephin are not responsible for fires. I’m glad they put that in there too because sure enough some moron would do that and try and sue Noah. Let’s get to the actually sounds now.

I have nearly every piece of ambient music Ctephin has done and I will say that this is his darkest and creepiest material ever. I burned my incense with my wife while listening to this and using our Tarot cards, just to get the mood right, as instructed. The sounds carried through our house and echoed into our minds while the smell from the incense put the mood even more relaxing. I almost got high too. Pretty good purchase I’d say, cheaper than weed. The ambient tones are so dark that it actually put me into a dream-trance when I closed my eyes. Disc 2, Track 1 is more loop and musical based and I love this track so much. It's like old soft industrial music for your pineal gland. Memories came and went as the tracks progressed, I shit you not. It works! The 2nd track from Disc 2 is probably the loudest one on here, but that's mainly due to the extra static noise, it's still ambient.I don’t know how Stephin did it but he probably was high himself and each track is different enough that it can create different atmospheres for everyone, just as long as you burn the incense with it.

The release is limited to 50 copies, which is pretty awesome considering all the incense there is in each tin. This is by far the most professional looking tin-box release I have seen to date and it’s no surprise what label it comes from. Perfect.

Baron Bum Blood / Rank Sinatra - 7" split

2006-06-05T14:30:00.000-06:00

Artists: Baron Bum Blood / Rank Sinatra
Release: Split
Label: Mourning Glory
Year: 2006
Format: 7" vinyl
Tracks: 4 (A: 1 track, B: 3 tracks)

This 7" split is probably one of the best looking ones out there and it looks like both artist involved took their time and money to give their fans something great. The artwork is fantastic and fully colored, even the labels on each side, and it comes packaged in a nice paper sleeve.

Baron Bum Blood starts off side A with one track, and it is his signature sound that got me hooked in with his noise that opens this 7". Radio tuner bliss with high delta noise rips those groves open and the distortion is leveled just enough to give it a good kick. This is BBB’s year. His been doing more live shows now than ever and with this 7" record it’s sure to start him doing even more shows in the UK. Rank Sinatra creates three short pieces here on side B and they are all "love" themes…well sort of. Distorted vocals of him yelling lyrics shred through with heavy drums and nothing can be made much sense of it all. A good thing but it sounds pretty amateur from RS as he has been doing noise for a while now. The last track of his is great though. Almost a Kraftwerkian-distortion-from-hell type sound and I wish his whole side was like this.

All in all this 7" split is really quite something and you get you monies worth for sure. The art alone made me want to jump to my stereo and plug it in. A great UK release from a new label, Mourning Glory, that is sure to get your 7" vinyl-fetish juices flowing, it did for me.

CJ Borosque - They

2006-05-23T16:31:00.000-06:00

Artist: CJ Borosque
Release: They
Label: Harshnoise
Year: 2006
Format: CDr (pro)
Tracks: 4
TRT: 56:07

Newest release out of the Harshnoise label. I will start off by saying that I really had no idea who CJ Borosque was and the proof is that I didn't even know a woman was making this great noise. I'll be honest, that's not the first thing that comes to mind when I hear noise, but I'm glad to see that I now know another woman making great pedal noise. After checking out CJ's very cool web page: www.noisegoddess.com, I found out how much of an artist she truly is. Now, getting to the noise.

Four harsh tracks with two of them busting over the 20-minute mark. The noise in this release has a very old quality sound to it. Like it was released in the late 80's or something. I like this. There is a real fresh sound and you can tell it wasn't much rehearsed at all. During the listen of this disc you get really confused with what "CJ" is trying to do in her tracks. An example is the title track "They". Lots of spastic noise at first and then a harsh noise wall where just as you start to get bored with it she comes back with more spastic noise...a great combo. She gives, then takes, then gives, then takes...it's a fucking marathon sometimes. There are also some very good loops mixed with just straight pedal static bliss. I like this noise a lot and it's something that reminds me a little bit of nkondi, except not as harsh as his material. I would rate this release a 3/5, not because of the noise or artwork but because the record seems to lack a hold on my ears. Not much bass. Call me a noisehead that likes a lot of bass but if you don't mind that then ignore my last comment.

Of the harshnoise artworks out there I find this one very calming than the rest. Two deep blue horse heads face you with an ominous stare. Looks very olde English. My first listen of CJ Borosque and I can tell her one think now; "You left an impression girl!"

Random Insults - Wir Siegen Wieder - Ja, Ja...

2006-05-21T17:43:00.000-06:00

Artist: Random Insults
Release: Wir Siegen Wieder - Ja, Ja...
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: CDr (pro-pressed)
Tracks: 16
TRT: 76:35

The latest offering from Puerto Rico industrial/noise artist Random Insults. Sixteen ear bust'n, bass blast'n tracks that put you in the heart of war. What Random Insults does in this release is great. He mixes the perfect style of noise and industrial music to gives us fans of both genre's something to smile about. Hard pounding drums with great use of guitar samples and synths. As with each RI release you get Kai's great vocals. However, in this release they are mostly in German. But who really cares anyway. I ended up buying most of Wumpscut's releases in German anyway. Something about the language screams attention with industrial music. "Listen to this you fucks! I'm pushing forward and don't get in my way!" Well, sort of.

There are a lot of great tracks on this disc. "The Last Time Ever", "Last Warning", "Obey!", "The Hammer (of Zeus)", "Needles In My Eye", and the title track "Wir Siegen Wieder - Ja, Ja..." is bloody amazing and should be marketed as a 7" single. If I had the money I'd do just that. Heavy bass and synth with great vocals, a very well produced track. With Random Insults your getting great music and I can't say anything wrong about this release except for one thing. After listing to this release in one sitting you kind of get a bit too much of it. I think 60 minutes would have been perfect but at 76 minutes I find myself not really getting as interested in the last 5 tracks than I did with the first few. After putting this disc on random I found that the last tracks were well done too, so it wasn't as if they bored me. Just to much of a good thing I guess.

The artwork was very well done also. Done by Cole Morse and Noah Fleischman as a kind of online request, they did a good job. A dark faceless army approaches. Subtle and effective for this release. A pro-press release for $8 even. You get it all with Random Insults.

Torturing Nurse - Does Utmost

2006-05-21T17:13:00.000-06:00

Artist: Torturing Nurse
Release: Does Utmost
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: CDr (DIY)
Tracks: 2
TRT: 40:34

You like "live" noise?
Yes, it has a very real sound to it and I think it is the most artistic form of performing out there. Have you picked up the latest release by Torturing Nurse?
Yes I did and I must say it made me fell like they were in my fucking house bashing thier vocal distress about my face.
Really? What makes this release "Does Utmost" so special for you to say something like that? For starters Youki and Junky mix a lot of sounds together in both tracks and you can tell that they are using their bodies in their noise performance. Moving and shaking around the room, bashing drums with their skulls and just all around creating a hell of a sound. Lots of yelling and emotion going on. Gets me very involved I'd say.
Yes. TN has been known to have that effect on their listeners. Does the noise seem to be something that would attract new listeners?
No. In fact, get your children out while you can. It will attract them too much I'd say. There have been people that have come out of their live shows and have then gone on to go crazy and start killing people. Body dismemberment and just plain weird shit.
That so? Well, I'd better get out of here then (*laughs*). Seriously now, what kinds of sounds are in this newest release?
Hmmmm, lots. What you hear is junk noise at it's best. Vocals, drums, scratches, toys, harmonica, and broken bones. Great mix of material and gets me back to what noise creativity use to be instead of this newer laptop shitte!!!
Wow, a bold statement coming from (name omitted due to privacy law)...let's hear a sample folks, shall we?

This is the final part of this interview done at a radio station in Canada. After a sample of the track titled "You are my jonky" was played, crowds gathered all around and the town literally turned it into a blood bath. The master tape of this interview was found after the 2 week clean up. The performance of this release can be found for $4.56 at the Roil Noise label, but listeners are now warned.

Ctephin / GX Jupitter-Larsen: The Shards of Turin - The Second Coming

2006-05-21T16:55:00.000-06:00

Artist: Ctephin / GX Jupitter-Larsen
Release: The Shards of Turin - The Second Coming
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: 3" cdr
Tracks: 1
TRT: 19:20

The very idea of these two artists getting together had me drooling, and it wasn’t long before I got my wish. Here we have a great ambient artist named Ctephin collaborating with the legendary GX Jupitter-Larsen. Before I go anything further I will say that this is kind of a part two to the original track done by Ctephin titled Shards Of Turin. This track can be found on the Roil Noise page as well for download. I've listened to both tracks a number of times and they are totally different. The Shards of Turin 2 has that good'ol Haters touch to it and I would have loved to have had both tracks on one disc, but the 3" cdr is done very well and kudos to Noah of Roil Noise for a job well done with the label's second 3" release.

What the track sounds like to me is a tumbling circus of crashes and booms slowed down. It also doesn't seem to vary too much through the 19 minutes except for little hints of hisses and rings. If I had been hearing this on some noise radio station I would clearly think that this was a Haters track and not a collaborating at all. I do like the fact that you can still hear Ctephin's effort in this track though, even if it maybe drowned out a bit. This release will get mixed feelings I think and they are pretty simple: a) if you like the Haters you'll like this and b) if you don't like the Haters of the sound of GX then it's not for you, but fuck, at $4.18 you're getting your monies worth anyway.

Ghoul Detail - Trail Of Tears

2006-05-21T16:29:00.000-06:00

Artist: Ghoul Detail
Release: Trail Of Tears
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: CDr (DIY)
Tracks: 10
TRT: 67:47

Ghoul Detail has come out with more releases this year and the last than anyone out there, including Merzbow. Some would say that this is not a good thing and that when an artist comes out with some much material in one year that you're going to get some crap. Well, I haven’t found that yet with GD and this latest release proves it yet again. Although this is an official release from Roil Noise it is not included in their catalog....yet, and the reason for that is this disc is to be part of an upcoming Ghoul Detail Box Set on Roil Noise. So watch out for that soon.

Getting back to the release. An ambient, drone, experimental release to the fullest. Ghoul Detail has a remarkable effect with his tracks that makes you think of the cold depths of space every time you hear one of his tracks, even if he doesn't mean it. The gravity of each track in this disc pulls you forward towards a distant star and then lets you circle it while you think and contemplate life...at least for me. None of these tracks bore you in this disc as only two manage to crack the 10 minute mark, which is hard to do for an ambient artist. If I were to say anything negative about this release it would be that the harsher of the ambient tracks aren't as good as the more softer ambient tracks. Not sure if that explains it enough but to me a harsh ambient track can sometimes sound like wall noise or white static, and I just don't look for that with ambient, drone type artists. But some like it anyway so it's not too bad.

The styles of sounds used in this release are very high pitched and focused. Some tracks, like Fading Yesterdays have a very musical quality to it and create a very relaxing tone for your ears and pineal gland. Something to get high off of as well. I'm not saying go out a buy drugs now, but use weed, crack, LSD, hell anything, with this release (and anything by Ghoul Detail without the drugs) you get the same effect.

Android In Motion - The Final Temptations

2006-05-13T07:07:00.000-06:00

Artist: Android In Motion
Release: The Final Temptations
Label: Roil Noise
Year: 2006
Format: CDr (Pro-pressed)
Tracks: 13
TRT: 79:04

Android In Motion brings his latest release, The Final Temptations, from the Roil Noise label and what I can say about this release is that it is my favorite so far to come out of that fast growing label. Being a noise/industrial/hardcore/heavy-beat driven fan of music, and owning a lot of CD’s from that style, I’ll say that this is right up there with bands like Converter, Terrorfakt, and SINA (minus the lyrics and hot German chick). This is a full CDr and I would have paid the HMV price for this one.

Each of the 13 tracks holds its own and they range from 3:15 to 7:51. Noise usually begins the track then the build up of hard pounding beats begin, and these aren’t just mindless techno drums either, there is purpose with these beats and they don’t feel repetitive at all. In short, I don’t get bored listening to any of these tracks. To note: Track #2 (Polarity Shift), Track #3 (Enamoured Lover), Track #6 (Happy Kitties) and Track #13 (Life’s Glow Fading) are true kickers on this CDr and would have made great 7" singles on labels like D-Trash. The thing I like most about AIM’s style is his way that he builds up tracks and stays with it. He knows how to make music, it’s as simple as that, yet he uses noise blasts and distortion to his advantage giving us hard-heads something we all crave and a good excuse to smash shit up when were done listening.

Something to note about AIM is this release by Slayv Axis - Remixez V.1 which features remixes by Panzer Division, Terrorfakt, and Android in Motion, to name a few. Good show. If you feel you’re the type that likes hardcore beat driven noise, and not the flower-shop Merzbeat shit, then pick this up. You’re bound to like at least half the CD, if not all. I dare you to cure your Final Temptation.

Anthony Saunders - Susurrus

2006-05-06T09:32:00.000-06:00

Artist: Anthony Saunders
Release: Susurrus
Label: RSM / Audiobot
Year: 2006
Format: 2 x CDr
Tracks: 12
TRT: Disc 1: 59:34 / Disc 2: 65:36

Susurrus \su-SUHR-uhs\, noun:A whispering or rustling sound; a murmur.

This 2-disc set by Anthony Saunders released on RSM and Audiobot fits this definition to a "T", disc one is a whisper compared with disc two’s rustling freak-out. Minimal ambient soundscapes that run together and meld with one another so perfectly that it seems very "musical" at times is disc one. Then we have disc two, which features an onslaught of loud noise. There are 12 tracks that range from 5 to 17 minutes and each are titled Movement I, Movement II, etc.

The sounds represented in the first disc can sometimes be so quite that I had to turn up the stereo a bit to see if it was still running. Not really a negative thing but if you’re an impatient person than this is not the disc for you. As with most ambient music I find you have to be either reading, sleeping, or listing to it while having a chat with some friends. Each disc runs like one long track broken up into parts and this is how I like it best. There are a few loud parts, like in Movement IV for example, but for the most part these recordings on disc one will not harm anyone. Sounds range from what sounds like crashing snowflakes slowed down to by a magical watch, an orchestra of clicks and scrapes played by the Gods, and recorded movements of clouds building in the sky (which is movement VI for me, my favorite).

Disc two is a great style of crunching noise and blissful rips. Lots of experimentation going on in the second disc, like in Movement IX for example. Pops and loud echoed pushes of noise which sometimes repeat and then fade, a very unpredictable track with lots of different features. I prefer disc two mainly because I am a harsh noise junky but also because it is very random and seems to have been produced better. Not sure if that’s true and I’m sure Anthony spent a good portion on disc one, but two has a lot more to offer and a lot more going on. Some good wall noise appears too.

This 2-dsic set is packaged in a DVD slim case with great artwork on the cover that wraps around the backside. The liner notes states "All photos taken during the first snowfall of the winter 2005/2006 season". Now, the artwork is bloody beautiful, but I can’t see what Anthony did to those winter photos to make the art what it is. Truly colorful and variant. More than just an experimenter of sounds, Anthony is a true artist.

Anthony Saunders: 92X04 Garbage In, Garbage Out

2006-04-24T20:45:00.000-06:00

Artist: Anthony Saunders
Release: 92X04 Garbage In, Garbage Out
Label: RSM
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 11
TRT: 76:47

This release was previously issued in 2005 and has now been re-released and re-mastered as of March 2006. This release is basically one long track broken into 8 parts, then there are two remixes and then the last track is the 15 sounds used to make this release. Reminds me of something Haujobb would do; putting his samples as a hidden track for others to use.

However, this is noise and a very tonal noise release this is. Lots of high-pitched frequencies mixed with good low bass tones. Your ears get a nice treat here. Nothing too harsh and yet the high rhythmic pulse’s can get to you if you turned the volume high enough. I like this long 8-part track best because we have this low tone that repeats itself over and over again throughout most of the 8 parts, but it’s hidden in the background very unnoticeably by all these other noises going around this tone. Very effective and makes my bones shiver. Some cute sounds occur too in the 3rd track, like soft bells in a church to high to see. Track six of eight is were the movement starts to shift in this horrific like quality that is really quite beautifully scary…so perfect of and ending it is.

The remixes is actually more ambient that anything and I’m not sure how you could remix something like "Gigo Movements 1-8", but AS does do it well. Remix 1 is 10 minutes and Remix 2 is 15 minutes long so they are definitely full tracks in their own right. Personally AS could have called these two tracks "Gigo Movements 9-10" and I wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference, which is a compliment I guess. The last track, 15 Sounds, is what it is. 15 sound samples used to make this 70+ minute release. Listening to these samples is great, because it showed me how gifted Anthony truly is as these samples he used create magic. Wow!

The cover art was done by AS as well and it looks simple, but it fits this release very well. Like a dark oil painting with shadowed colors of dark tinge. It needs to be enlarged and framed. An excellent release from a truly gifted artist, even if it’s just garbage movements.

nearField - Vakar Gerem Keturiese Prie Misko...

2006-04-18T15:25:00.000-06:00

Artist: nearField
Release: Vakar Gerem Keturiese Prie Misko, Ant Senu, Nebenaudotu Veikiancio Metro Begiu
Label: Perineum
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 1
TRT: 24:27

From a label out of Lithuania comes their 17th release from the Canadian artist nearField. I will start by saying that I never heard much of nearField or Perineum just until recently when we exchanged emails and all I can say is that I was not disappointed.

The track is made up of sound sources from the city of Toronto, mainly railway tracks, bridges and passing trains for example. This is listed on the website from the artist. What I like best is that these are not just field recordings because I would have never guessed that these sounds I was listening to were from trains and such. The noises are progressive so it's kind of like an ambient noise that can break your brain if your not careful. The track goes heavy for about 10 minutes and then takes a soft rest were your left with hisses and soft tones that a mouse could digest easily. The track then again picks up with a loud wall of white noise that simply ends the track rather abruptly. My only wish on this CDr was that there was more of it, but I totally understand an artist’s nature to want to release an EP as well, which is what this is.

The artwork is very creative. Here we get a simple blue cardboard sleeve with an image of a large bridge on the front but the sleeve is wrapped with two strips of ribbon and two beautifully coloured pictures glued to the bottom of each side’s corner. The text is printed nicely and it's limited to 50 copies, which is fairly good for a noise EP of this nature. A good show and effort from a great Canadian artist and a dedicated Lithuanian label.

Maximum Headlessness - Untitled

2006-04-13T17:14:00.000-06:00

Artist: Maximum Headlessness
Release: Untitled
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2005
Format: CDr
Tracks: 13
TRT: 51:33

Another Roil Noise review. This isn’t like I only love this label it’s they just put out some very unique releases from all over the world and this one is one of them.

I will start out by saying that I hate punk music and was never interested in it at all growing up. Maximum Headlessness is punk music, but not in the conventional sense. He mixes noise and abstract sounds very well into each track and the production is top notch. Within in a few of the tracks are movie samples, which I find, add a lot of humor to this release and some of them work very well with the sounds going on. Example is Jim Carry in Dumb and Dumber yelling his "most annoying sound in the world" that is being looped a couple of times while the track progresses. Very comical and it doesn’t take away from me liking the music. That’s right, I said I liked it. Before I hated punk music and this release of Maximum Headlessness is making me open my mind to the genre again. Kudos to anyone who can do that with one album.

There are a couple of tracks that don’t do much for me but that doesn’t mean much coming from someone who doesn’t know much about punk music. Maximum Headlessness is an artist and you can tell. He doesn’t just yell and make fast "punk drums", he uses keys and guitar very well and it doesn’t sound half ass. He’s a bloody one-man band. He does a very good job at doing covers as well, such as "Paint it Black" or as titled "Paint it Blah". Cool shit. I don’t want to spoil anything but you get your moneys worth here for sure because I was surprised myself. I’ll just say that any industrial fan would enjoy this release as well.

Bhig Ceity Okrasteew / Ctephin: Does Art For...

2006-04-04T08:36:00.000-06:00

Artist: Bhig Ceity Okrasteew / Ctephin
Release: Does Art For…
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 11
TRT: 77:41

I have a particular liking for split releases; whether they are 2-way, 3-way or 4-way splits, and this is up there for me as the best ambient one I can think of. This release is one of the latest offerings from the Roil Noise label whom just keep putting out quality release month after month and will keep doing so until Noah takes a breath. This split release offers two artists who have been doing experimental noise for some time now, BCO for like the past 20 years, and this is a great 77 minutes worth of pure ambient drifts.

Bhig Ceity Okrasteew, or Big City Orchestra, starts off the disc with their great experimental sounds. Guitars, electronics, noises, drones and anything else these guys can come up with are heard through their five tracks. The 2nd track, Joneynomey, even has a lovely sounding Buddhist type chanting in the background, which is so relaxing. These guys remind me so much of the old Legendary Pink Dots and that’s such a relief now a days with all the shit that’s out. But returning to the release the cascades of each track flow into one another perfectly and these guys know how to make music. They are not just sticking sounds together for the sake of it and track five is just a great piece I’d love to see them play live.

Ctephin is known for his great ambient drones that he can carry well during the whole track. You don’t seem to notice it but a nine-minute track of his can be over before you know it. Within these drones there’s a few sounds going on and they add great to the overall atmosphere of each track. If you a fan of his track ten will surprise you with its quality of harsh noise as well. Ctephin’s tracks seem to be of more a sadder sound than BCO and that maybe just from the instruments being used, but sad of not, I like every track on here. Ctephin is three members as well. His daughter and his wife also create the sounds as well, such as this release, and thus we two great "Orchestra’s" in one fantastic show. I think Stef’s daughter plays the strings in a couple tracks too and she’s bloody good at it.

Another great point to make on this "split" release is that each artist designed the artwork for the other artist’s side. The CDr is packaged in a plastic sleeve so that both sides are visible and CD art itself is a giant, nummy looking kiwi. A tasty treat indeed folks.

Goat - Goat's Holy Mountain

2006-04-03T08:41:00.000-06:00

Artist: Goat
Release: Goat’s Holy Mountain
Label: Harshnoise
Year: 2006
Format: CDr
Tracks: 1
TRT: 53:29

I found a scroll I thought you all should read. It was buried under black dried sand next to an old path. I picked it up with amazement and was surprised to find out the contents. It read as follows:

"…being on this pathe of some duration, I was sent forthe by mine master to finde the loste and unco temples that hath been soughte after ever and anon by man-kinde for a wonderous counte of years. The journey was treacherous and abounden withe greate perils. In the greate distance, I coulde ken mine salvation. T’was the Mountain mine master had badeth me to finde, The Holy Mountain. Temples layeth atop this virtuous rock. I coulde seeth a moste olde path that I needeth to traverse to reach the heights and the Temples there-upon. I wondereth why a path existen when this hath been soughte after for many an age of mankinde. Surely some-body knew where these Temples abode? I thoughte upon it no-more an moved with greate secrecy towards mine goal. Alas! I spy’ed a greate beaste layen afore me. A’fulle of haire and fulle bodied in strengthe. The beaste espied mine gaze and gaveth chase. I soon founde myself loste, but safe in this unco place. The creature seemeth to hath returned to guarding the unco pathe and at that wonderous momente I kneweth it for what it were…a Yeti! It guardeth here the Temples of life’s secretes. I could meene what mine master coveteth… wisdome; of the Temples of the Yeti."

A grand legend to match an equally grand release from Harshnoise. Goat seems to be offering a very harsh live set here and you can tell, during the halfway point, that there seems to be some cord-switching going on. This doesn’t take away from the performance though and it’s defiantly a long 53 minutes, but so worth it. The first 13 copies of this release also came with a fairly well done bizcard release, Göatmeister, which is limited to 50. Short and sweet. Unfortunately most of this scroll has been lost or torn away. Rumor has it that Andy may have found it, but the Temples of the Yeti may never be found again on the Goat’s Holy Mountain.

Xdugef - ASDFHAKSFHAFSSOSAUF

2006-03-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Artist: Xdugef
Release: ASDFHAKSFHAFSSOSAUF
Label: Canned Beef Records
Year: 2002
Format: CDr
Tracks: 8
TRT: 30:00

Tracklisting
1. Trolling for Clams in Unlikely Places 4:18
2. There is a Fly in my Bowl of Drano Soup 3:32
3. Geigers Locomotive 3:07
4. The Torture and Death of a Chipmunk 2:35
5. The Nursery Rhyme Slowly Slides into the Gapping Maw of my Alduthood 2:45
6. The Long Drive to Topanga Canyon 2:38
7. Mega-Bith 6:11
8. There's a Crack Baby Downstairs 2:03

"Glad finally I found the time to write a review on one of my all time favorite noise CDs. Xdugef surprizes us here with a nightmarish drone and glitch/bend CD that takes you to another planet where disaster lurks around the next corner. Often you glide through looped soundscapes with industrial feel and events happen on this soundscape - like factories appearing on the horizon or funny beings telling you their story of thorrow and demise.

There is no uphill in this glitched out spaced out slow drone world - everything ends in decay, loss, loosing of parts. Tracks are frequently engulfed in slow sad melodic lines of humming from some transistors. Hard to describe because this CD is certainly in its own category.

Overall, it is in the realm of ambient noise with an industrial feel to it for the choice of sound and the looped character. A lot of distorted and screwed up sounds - transistors, machines, and tortured toys.

The CD is very well produced and mastered, perhaps with the exception of track 3 - I am sure the artist wants it like this but my car speakers made my car vibrate from nose to ass - maybe the artist wanted to not only have music coming from the speaker but from the whole environment. If so, he succeeded completly . That is one monster bass.

Overall, this is one of the CDs I wouldn't want to part with and has inspired me a lot. Planet X is a result of listening to this. So get your copy today from www.xdugef.com or www.roilnoise.com (distro) and agree or disagree with this review."

-Kai (Random Insults)

Nova-Sak: Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

2006-03-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

Artist: Nova-Sak
Release: Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship
Label: Perineum Productions
Year: 2005
Format: CDr
Tracks: 5
TRT: 35:16

This CDr is a great mix of different types of styles of noise all generated into 5 tracks. I hadn’t heard much of Nova-Sak myself until I traded with him and this release is one that I probably would have bought had I known of him earlier. Since there on only 5 tracks and the length is somewhat like an EP I will review each track separately instead of the disc as a whole.

All tracks are untitled. Track one starts off the disc nicely with a quiet drone and a rotated click in the background that builds up speed. The clicks then become distorted and the track finally fades up to a soft drone that continues to the next track. Not much is to be said about the first track but it’s hard to describe, good none-the-less. The 2nd track is more on the experimental side of things with swashy sounds and bashes with contact mics…so it seems. Not a strong track compared to the rest of the disc but it’s a good listen with your eyes closed. Some of the sounds are interesting and may have been created underwater it seems. #3 is a 10 minute live track that was broadcasted live over the radio. The start is pretty comical with the radioman talking about a large solar flare heading towards Earth. This track is amazing and I’d love to hear more of Nova-Sak just based purely on this live set alone. It starts off with a low amp hum and a soft drum blip that’s looped and altered. A hissing ring is followed and a heavy scraped loop is now introduced that I just loved to death. The track builds louder from here on. An excellent set that finishes well too. The 4th track is a short four minute take with distorted drums and a rotated click, much like the first track, but a bit louder and more bass. The 5th track is the harshest and begins with a vocal scratch for about two minutes and then the harsh walls begin. Looped bass and smashes are thrown in among the walls are harshness.

With this released I got the feeling that Nova-Sak is influenced by the industrial sound a lot. There are good loops that could well be placed in some old Skinny Puppy tracks. The artwork is great. All hand made with the disc painted a soft forest green with what looks like watercolour. The cover is a green mesh print on cardboard and a gold ribbon on the binding. A hand numbered release limited to 40. The label is out of Lithuania and produces great hand made CDr’s, but very limited so you better get it quick.

MALEBOLGE - Evil Pouches

2006-03-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

Artist: MALEBOLGE
Release: Evil Pouches
Label: Umbrella Noize Collective
Year: 2005
Format: MP3
Tracks: 21

A Canto…
Featuring drone and noise by Ctephin,
with the glitched drum and bass of Rabbit Girls.
This release creates sound and noise,
that delves deep in the heart,
and gives you an experience. 5

The fundamentals created in the release,
are true to the word of Dante.
One gets the feeling that through the drones,
your eyes are being shown the pages,
and leading your mind into the circles of Hell. 10

The feelings are mixed however,
like being in a state of unawareness.
The heavy glitch attacks of hits and kicks,
from the random drum beats prove to me,
that this Hell is unforgiving. 15

All the tracks are around the same length,
but the variation is subtle.
As each track represents and different tale,
the sound range is pretty much the same in every track.
Good if you like it, bad if you don’t. 20

The artwork is superb and shows,
a picture of the face of evil itself.
Do you know what the book is about?
I, my friends, you have been shown all along.
This a release to show the master when you meet him. 25

"There is in hell
a vast and sloping ground called Malebolge,
a lost place of stone
as black
as the great cliff that seals it round." 30

Kraftwerk: Radio-Activity

2006-03-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

Artist: Kraftwerk
Release: Radio-Activity
Label: Capitol
Year: 1975 (re-released from LP)
Format: CD
Tracks: 12
TRT: 37:46

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Anthony Saunders - Rehearsal Tapes Volume 1

2006-03-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

Artist: Anthony Saunders
Release: Rehearsal Tapes Volume 1
Label: Rehearsal Tape
Year: 2005
Format: CDr
Tracks: 8
TRT: 78:24

Total harsh noise crunch. Well that’s not all. Throughout this massive release, totaling almost 80 minutes long, there exist the harsh sounds that every noise lover can’t get enough of. But Anthony goes beyond just simply creating noise because it’s there. In these rehearsal tape out-takes he presents a broad range of styles here. The harsh blackness of a noise wall knocking you unconscious, the subtle high-pitched screeches with looped effects, electronic glitch mayhem and well produced self created sounds all around, even something tribal sounding on track 4. The track titles themselves are basically untitled, but are listed as "Rehearsal Tape 060805" for example, being the dates that these tracks were created. That being said this release goes from March 27, 2005 to August 12, 2005 so Anthony defiantly spent some time on his creations.

There are a lot of various going-ons in each track. You don’t get the pleasure of just sitting back and relaxing to this material. Some noise I find great to read to because it sits in the back of your mind and you don’t need to be aware of it. However, I can’t say the same for this release. Every second something seems to be changing and when you think the track is over, it’s not. I tried reading to this and after finishing a couple pages I noticed that I couldn’t bloody remember what the fuck it was I just read and found myself looking at my speakers for a second or two. The last track did give my ears a break though. A great 14+ minute ambient tone with clicks and ticks that help soften the brain and return its focus to the real world.

The artwork is a pretty basic one-page style slim case with track listings and info on the backside and a color picture of a pretty attractive distortion design. The cdr simply has a small label on it with the release info. Anthony Saunders has preformed live with over 30 artists, including Government Alpha, Cock ESP and Dev/Null to name a few, and if these rehearsal tapes are an example of his live material, God help us all!

Emil Beaulieau / Armenia - Split

2006-03-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

Artist: Emil Beaulieau / Armenia
Release: Split
Label: Bizarre Audio Arts
Year: 2003
Format: CDr
Tracks: 2
TRT: 70:44

Bizarre Audio Arts and Armenia himself are known for split releases. Armenia has released splits with artists such as Government Alpha, Stimbox, and Pain Jerk, to name a few. This split release with Emil Beaulieau is perhaps one of the best. There are only two tracks to the disc; Armenia’s long 33 minute piece and Rons 37 minute live take consisting of three compositions. For general notes, Emil Beaulieau’s live take was recorded by Andy Panicsville.

Emil Beaulieau’s track, basically untitled, is a perfect example of how I imagine one of his live shows should sound like. I never, and probably will never get to see Ron play live, but this track takes me back three years in Chicago watching Ron dance with his machines, tickle the crowds ears, and gyrate his hips with the rotating sounds of his soft metal sounding loops. Throughout the live performance there are a lot of explosive crashes with scraping loops hiding in the background, sometimes the crashes are so loud that the PA cuts out, as noted by Ron himself. The only thing bad about this recording is the one "fan" that seems to be right next to the recording mic. After one of Ron’s compositions is over it sounds as if the guy is sitting right next to you. "Yaaaaaaa-hoooooooooooooooo!"

Armenia’s track, Los Ojos del Lobo, starts out right away tearing your eardrums and pulling veins out of your skull. Blistering scratches are rippled in high pitch frequencies and low bass rumbles are prevalent. This is only the first bit though. The track then switches to a very tactical click play of tweaks and hits, and then it starts with the vocal tone of Armenia, Armenia, Armenia, Armenia, that repeats over the first 15 minutes on the track. There are a few long breaks from this voice but there is always gashing sounds throughout. When the voice does appear it speeds up, slows down, pitches high and low and is done very effectively, like a techno beat almost. It doesn’t take anything away from the track and is great as just good background filler. The last 15 minutes of this track are awesome with this one loop that carries a lot of bass to hit. I don’t even get the feeling that this track is this long, and that’s a good thing.

The artwork is a simple cardboard sleeve with a picture of a couple that looks like it straight out of an LP print from Grease. The CDr is blank with no print, not even text from a black marker indicating what release this is, so don’t separate the two. Armenia’s track is defiantly more heavy hitting than Ron’s is, but I think Ron had more fun.

Cracked Dome - Deception Rituals

2006-03-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

Artist: Cracked Dome
Release: Deception Rituals
Label: Barfing Dagger Recordings
Year: 2005
Format: 3" CDr
Tracks: 2
TRT: 21:01

I went for a long and tired walk one day. I was distraught and didn’t have much to live for. The ground was very rocky and I kicked a few here and there out of malice towards my new direction. I didn’t want to go on this walk but I found myself being pulled towards a bright white light. It was as if I was in a tunnel and as I got closer to this light the walls around me began to grow hot and red. It started off as a dark hue and then the red walls became brighter and brighter and hotter and hotter. As the heat grew I began to sweat, and I saw what looked like a figure in the bright light. It was a mere silhouette but I could tell that this was a large man with horns on his head and a cane at his side. "In the shadow of Gods decaying form!" I thought.

The walls grew hotter and the figure danced closer. I wanted to shut my eyes but he was so beautiful and he was luring me over to him with a dark, deep noise. The sound was like a soft hissing drone that seemed to melt my brain and expand my consciousness. I finally made it to him and I realized who he was. The dark Lord Satan himself, carrying a message for me, and a gift. "You are in my Hell now young one," He said. "And I bring you a gift." He held out an old book. The cover was a simple piece of red cardboard with the title and notes on the inside, but each page was hand painted with a gray tone and dots of red splatter in random order. In the book read the following; encrypted messages from a distant blackened star. I fell back and knew I was lost. I wasn’t supposed to be here, but his noise drew me in.

Zdefekt - Complex Breeding Program

2006-03-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

Artist: Zdefekt
Release: Complex Breeding Program
Label: Backwards Records / Scatological Liberation Front
Year: 2005
Format: CD
Tracks: 8
TRT: 59:11

Noise improv is something that takes a lot of getting used to, for me anyway. I first listened to this CD and it sounded as if it was just a bunch of random hits and slaps with drums, guitar, bass and electronic glitches here and there. But after another listen I can that this release is very focused and I now listen to it pretty often. There are 7 members to the band, which proves right there that they all have one goal in mind when making this release. To have seven members in a noise band means there’s lots of talk and collaboration before anything is recorded, but, it does sound very improv sounding and that can play well for the fans of this type of noise.

This release is very random at times and with track titles like Naprawo Od Przed Bogiem Przeklinal Autobus one gets the idea very quickly. There are a couple of soft movements in some of the tracks that give you a break from the heavy hits that a good noise jam offers and these are the moments were most of the electronic noise glitches are heard. Some vocals are heard, but it’s mostly vocal noise to add depth to the tracks. Track 3, Krajaine Rodzenie, is probably the best track on here and clocks at almost 21 minutes long. There is a lot of build up and it would have been great if it was just released on a 3" cdr as well.

What I liked a lot about this release was that the packaging seemed to have been something these guys spent a lot of time on. The CD itself had a black underlay, which is something different, but the cover and insert is where it’s at. Cover art is a basic two page fold over that has the CD and insert slip into each page. The insert is a 16-page booklet featuring pictures of the bands equipment and the band members themselves. With noise improv reminding me of the old Jazz JATP sessions in the 50’s, this is one band I’d love to see live.

The Goslings - Between The Dead

2006-03-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

Artist: The Goslings
Release: Between The Dead
Label: DIY
Year: 2005
Format: CD
Tracks: 8
TRT: 54:05

This husband and wife duo has been creating one of the best noise/rock fusions out there for the past few years. Each track is blistered with heavily distorted guitar riffs, vocals that echo and engage the listener to hear their voice, and drums by a guy named Steve, whom does a great job at rhythm and random smashes. The movements of each of the longer tracks are great and it shows that these guys just don’t make noise, they perform it, and their creative process is grand. A perfect example is the second track, Brindle. It starts off slowly with drum and symbol hits and a few noise tweaks and then at the 3ish minute mark the track moves to both Max and Leslie singing their hearts out with a beautiful guitar riff. It is such a sad song and yet it makes me feel like I just climbed Mount Everest by the time it’s over.

The artwork is about as good as you can get with a DIY job. There is a 2-sided one-page insert and it features lyrics for only two tracks, Dehlilahia and Seed. The cover art features a medieval looking picture of a Saint holding a bright yellow star with leaves of gold, red and green at her side. The back art is just as good with a tarot card looking fellow standing beside the track titles. It has a Wicca quality to it too.

This release is such a great example of noise/rock that I’ve actually heard this being plaid a few times in used record stores were the young crazed "Goth" chicks look up to the ceiling and wonder what’s being heard. Had this been an LP in the late 70's I think these guys would have made it famous from this release only.

Sewer Election - Torpa Freak-In

2006-03-05T09:03:00.000-07:00

Artist: Sewer Election
Release: Torpa Freak-In
Label: Harsh Noise
Year: 2006
Format: CD
Tracks: 10
TRT: 59:20

A harsh noise release. Ten tracks of face drowning noise plunge you into his world of Torpa. Tracks range from 35 seconds up to 16 minutes and there is an order to them with Preludes and Freak-ins and Freak-outs. There’s a lot of noise in this release but at times the tracks begin or cool of into a field recording or soft clicks and metal scratches. Throughout each of the longer tracks there’s the clashing and bashing of harsh distorted noise, but the tracks carry something within the ear busting scare. At times loops of electronic rips can be heard for minutes at a time. Computerized vocals it seems in "Bloated Culture" and lots of harsh rips from the master toggle play with pedals and switches.

I hate saying this but this release reminds me a lot of Merzbow’s "Hybrid Noisebloom". The sounds push in different directions and last 0.5 seconds each all-the-while you have a loop thrown in the background, very effective. Another note on this release in there seems to be two styles in one on this disc. 1) The harsh noise and 2) the metal clashes that sound as if they are recorded "live". You don’t get any warning either, they just appear and it works so well. Noise is about random sounds, in my opinion, and this release does it perfectly. Like a tide slashing over your body as you regain muscular function after a Torpa Freak-out seizure.

The artwork is simple and is the format that Harsh Noise uses for each release. Blue covers with a one-page insert that contains a website or two and a picture. I like simplicity in art and I like to see originality too, but I buy a release more for the sound anyway. The artwork is done professionally but having a format for each release can take away from the artist input for their release. Torpa Freak-In is a harsh noise masterpiece and I bought it from a recommendation, you do the same now.

Tomas Jirku - Entropy

2006-03-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

Artist: Tomas Jirku
Release: Entropy
Label: intr_version
Year: 2002
Format: CD
Tracks: 11
TRT: 72:00

Tomas Jirku, the master of structured sound and always pushing new ground with his style of minimal ambient creations. "Entropy" is an album that is now currently out of print but is such a good example of how noise and dub can work together I thought I’d review it anyway.

The eleven tracks that make up the disc all work together as if it is an epic 1 track recording. Each track moves gracefully into the next and there is no breaks, save for the 2 short seconds between track 10 and 11. The track times are listed in seconds, which are rounded off to 3 decimal points and range from 352.392 seconds to 432.261 seconds long. A very exact method, speaking of which, the track titles go from words like; "Enthalpy", "Isothermal", "Adiabatic" and "Cyclic" to name a few. A sound scientist he is!

All the tracks pretty much has the same feel to them. Minimal dub sounding beats and bass hits with splashing clicks muttered throughout that are just barely audible. Tonal horn’s plummet rhythmically throughout most of the tracks and there also occurs the random swoosh here and there. A magical and melodic, yet reactive listen. My senses told me to dance.

The artwork is a three-page fold out paper sleeve with sewn, yes sewn, stitches across the front to slip the cover into and close. A very dank and dark picture of a deep forest is shown to mark this release. The only negative I can say about this disc is that each track seems about 1 minute to long and they can get a little repetitive, but most dub techno is anyway. A clean and natural release overall. Can you say; Ba(OH)2*8H2Os+2NH4NO---->Ba(NO3)2(s)+2NH3(aq)+10H2O(1)?

The Rita/Filthy Turd: Kill The Woman, Rape The Men

2006-03-02T15:44:00.000-07:00

Artist: The Rita/Filthy Turd
Release: Kill the Woman, Rape the Men
Label: Voltagestress
Year: 2005
Format: CDr
Tracks: 2
TRT: 69:11

The "walls of noise" release. Two of the heaviest tracks around delivered by two of the most respected noise artists doing this type of noise. The Rita offers a 35 minute crunch fest of low bass scratches and barrages that seem to have two different channels, one centered and one in the right ear. A wall of noise drone titled "Green suit, black depth". That continuos drone of his that makes death seem all too peaceful. The Rita wants to take you to a scary place, rip out your eyes, seal your eyelids with super-glue, and pull the face of "River fish-woman monster evil" over your screaming skull...it works well and I can't take much more of it.

Filthy Turd creates his 34 minute version; "The fish-woman has her finger in your arse-hole". This track has a lot of channel movement and most of the noise seems to be generated from yells and screams, either Filthy Turd himself or samples, not sure. This track is also a lot more textured than The Rita's. There are more sounds ranging from ear to ear and the noise has a less menacing quality to it, but it's still loud as fuck. I get the feeling that these creatures want to take me by surprise, bend me over, and stick large wooden pikes up my ass. It hurts!

Not much in the way of packaging but the knife wielding fish-woman on the cover is great. The Rita's track has a crisper feel to it and it is much louder in terms of stereo play, but when dealing with noise walls, you can't be picky.

Rabbit Girls - Hard Drive

2006-03-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

Artist: Rabbit Girls
Release: Hard Drive
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2006
Format: 3" CDr
Tracks: 5
TRT: 17:48

This is total glitch noise. The first 4 tracks; Eating Out Of Boredom, Stress Fracture, Lost Hope Machine, and Hard Drive represent what the sound of glitch and its randomness is all about. The last track, Hack Glitchery, is pretty harsh and will appeal to the metal heads as all the samples and material in this track seem to be grind core smashes. Spastic clic’s and fucks with samples is prevalent throughout the tracks. The 1st and 4th track have a lot of vocal samples played in the background that add a soft tone to the craziness going on in front of your ears. The last two tracks feature a great ambient project called Ctephin. I’m not exactly sure what he adds to the two tracks because there is so much going on. Whatever it was it was great. Lots of bass and drums are used throughout this disc as well and the release sounds best when played uber loud. Like most noise is, but glitch is hard to get into at times, so trust me on this. Play it loud!

The artwork, yes! This is pure genius. The CDr is placed on a perfectly rectangular piece of computer board with the disc being held in the center top. The tracks are listed on a transparent paper leaf that is wrapped around the computer board. Very clean and very well presented. When I ordered this I hadn’t scene the art yet. I opened it up and actually laughed out loud saying; "Christ this is cool." Makes me wonder were Noah got all those boards from, hmmmm.

Still for order and still kicking ass. Rabbit Girls is a glitch band that should be around for a long time with originality like this. 5th track quote; "I wondered if it'd be louder with bigger wires."

Mutant Ape - What's Left?

2006-02-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

Artist: Mutant Ape
Release: What's Left?
Label: Dumping Ground Recordings
Year: 2006
Format: Three Biz-Card Discs
Tracks: 3 (1 per disc)
TRT: 13:00

I will start by saying that I have a small card disc and 3" fetish so my views may not be as objective as anyone who doesn't share this same fetish, but this release was a must buy/review for myself and I figure it deserves some extra mention.

Three tracks with one track each per card disc; "Blue As A Dead Baby", "Feeding Myths", and "What's left?" making these three. Track one starts with a slow rumble moved by repetitive scrapes as if stomach bowels are being stretched longer and longer until it fades apart. There are hints of soft vocals whispering hideousness in your ear as well. The second track offers something louder with ripping vocals and delay looped screeches of noise from the dissected brains of Hell. Totally random too. Not sure what is being said but it doesn’t really matter, except for the religious sample at the end. Vocal noise is art through pure sound, right? The third disc, being the title track, is a melodic noise piece that seems very orchestrated. The ear piercing vocal bursts and harsh walls of noise make this the loudest of the three tracks, and every sound is fit well with a purpose. An excellent track, never mind the previous two.

The packaging is perfect. It has the three card discs tightly wrapped up in a sheet of card paper with the black and white and red image of a dead child lying on a cold steel slab. Each disc is simply mark as 1/2/ or 3 with a picture of some morbid fancy with the track name over it. A sheet of paper is also inserted inside the package with the track names and liner notes.

I will add that this material was recorded on Friday the 13th, as it notes, which adds to the overall general creepy state you get from this release. A must buy, if it's sold out then what left's for you is nothing but tears of a blue dead baby.

Random Insults - Songs For Robots

2006-02-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Artist: Random Insults
Album: Songs For Robots
Label: Roil Noise Offensive
Year: 2005
Format: CDr
Tracks: 10
TRT: 36:26

Songs For Robots is a journey. When listening to this CD in one sitting I get the feeling that these tracks are trying to tell a story, and with track titles like Work Nuclear Disaster Cleanup Unit you can tell there is a point to be made with this disc. Like it is stated in the Roil Noise Web Page RI is emotion made into music. And it is very clear in this CD.

The tracks all carry heavy bass synth that move each track along without the listener getting tired and wondering off whilst the track moves. The drums are very industrial sounding, and not something youd hear from the MET label, these are drums that make industrial what it is, scratchy and focused. You cant dance to this! There are no vocals in any of the tracks either, which is not something I don't like. If a CD can pull off 40 minutes without any vocals and still sound good, hell I'm all for it. Like I said in the beginning too, this CD tells a story, and you don't always need vocals.

In some ways you could classify this as a noise/industrial CD as well. A few tracks contain sections of pure static rhythms and loops of fuzzy bass lines. Another note is that this CD sounds like Autechre run threw a robot destruction from hell compressor. The beats are very unpredictable at times and the have that same feel as some late 90's Autechre tracks did (tracks 1 and 10 to note), except for the fact that this is industrial music, and there's a story to tell here; Assemble to Disassemble. This CDr had recently been remastered as well.

Art work is great too and is done by Adrian Dimond, the front man behind Xdugef, who has done many art projects. The only draw back to the CD is thats it's 37 minutes. I would have loved a 60 minute CD of this and maybe a few tracks with "robotic vocals", but then that would have changed the plot.
Songs For Robots