PLEASE READ THESE CAREFULLY BEFORE PLACING AN ORDER!
PAYMENT METHODS:
au prices are in Australian dollars and are for Australian orders only. us prices are in USA dollars and are for all orders outside Australia
POSTAGE
AVAILABILITY
RESERVATIONS
QUESTIONS?
please note that the minimum order is two items
updated 23 January 2010
payment is accepted via this PayPal shopping cart, bank deposit (Australians only), postal money order (Australians only), Western Union money order, or cash sent to my postal address
if ordering other than by PayPal, please email first to reserve your order and confirm that all items are in stock
to use the PayPal shopping cart simply use the provided buttons
you can also tabulate your own order and make a direct payment via PayPal to cipherproductions[at]lycos[dot]com
if ordering 12" vinyl please add a flat fee of $5au (Australia) or $5us (world) to your total order regardless of quantity (i.e. 1x12" vinyl = $5, 3x12" vinyl = $5, etc.)
CDs, cassettes, 7" vinyl and 10" vinyl are postage paid internationally
all items are shipped airmail. if you require insurance or an express service, please request a quote for the additional cost
i make every effort to ensure this page is up to date, but occasionally items will be out of stock before I have a chance to remove them from the site. if this occurs you will be contacted and offered a refund or alternate item
items can be reserved for 3 weeks maximum, please contact by email to do so
please email with any questions
this is to ensure that postage prices are kept as low as possible
SPECIAL PRICE! Discount on 2 CDs
For a limited time I'm offering your choice of two Cipher Productions CDs or CDRs, in any combination of your choosing, for only $20 postage paid. This item can be ordered on its own, or in combination with other titles below. Please list your CD selection in the comments box, or send a separate email to cipherproductions@lycos.com
Chrysalis & Agit8 Sacred Silence 3"CDR
prophetic, heretical cut-up noise and post-traumatic ambience
V/A Underground Australia C-90
homage to cassette culture showcasing the talent and range of Australian artists
Facialmess & Hana Kodama 12"
contrasting LP of Facialmess' brutal noise and Hana Kodama's subtle ambience
KA Water Mertz CDR
Ka is the trio of Tore h Bøe, Kai s Mikalsen, and Kjell ø Braathen, all members of the Origami Republik. Here they present one 45 minute long track that was originally created for the H20 mail art exhibition in Oslo, Norway in 1999. The trio use field recordings of water and ocean sounds to create a liquid, drifting sea-scape of sound.
Âmes Sanglantes Le Cri Du Pendu CDR
sickening, morbid, utterly bleak work rediscovered from 1999
V/A Night Science III 'zine + CD
Night Science is back with its biggest and boldest issue yet: a perfect-bound 104 page 'zine and a full-length CD of exclusive material featuring: Prurient - in-depth interview, historical photographs and two disparate tracks: a turgid piece of cut-up urgency and a live track of pure feedback destruction; Edwige - all members are interviewed and the CD contains a new 10 minute track with a more menacing, industrial approach than to their Segerhuva LP; Yellow Cab - Michio's first CD appearance in, what, 10 years? Old school Japanese noise which bristles with vibrancy and a quick chat from Mr. Vanilla Records; Romance - lengthy interview with this newer British noiser and a fine track of punishing, dichotomous harshness; Astro - Hiroshi Hasegawa explores his incredible history in experimental music and delivers up a unique piece of Astro majesty from the same sessions as the 'Shell Star/Spica' masterpiece; Defektro - Australia's newest noise arrival (ex-Japan) on all things mechanical and three pieces of robotic/electronics mayhem; Armenia - this unstoppable noise machine delves into his noise past and rounds the CD out with 10 minutes of pure screech; and Abisko - Tommy Carlsson discusses his latest label venture. This 'zine also features reviews of over 185 noise titles covering the last couple of years, an invaluable insight into those you missed, those you've ignored and those you've yet to experience. Limited to 500 copies.
Gelsomina Nostalghia CD
Finally Gelsomina's obliterative 'Nostalghia' is available in its intended, appropriate format. This gem originally passed the world by as a c-60 on the Australian label Smell The Stench. Now rescued from the shackles of low-budget tape reproduction 'Nostalghia' sparkles in its full glory, a full hour of seething harsh noise refinement which mercilessly attacks from every angle. Gelsomina is already a recognised name for this in the noise underground know, a series of tape/CDR editions - not to mention some stellar releases for Freak Animal - all leading to this essential, absolutely necessary assault of a release. Make no mistakes, Gelsomina is where this genre is headed. This CD reissue also comes equipped with a bonus track, a killer lengthy live Gelsomina collaboration with Grunt. Packaged in over-sized A5 sleeves with a multi-layered textured cover. Co-released with MIR (now defunct). Limited edition of 500 copies.
TADM & Timisoara I Am Not Dying In A Nightmare CDR + 3"CDR
This release started as an intention to release some long-lost material, but upon revisiting it every track bar one was ditched in favour of new material. So here we have it, brand new obnoxious digital crunch and laptop hurling from TADM – as excitable as ever, but with a sense of the harsh noise purpose which is inescapable – and one extended new track from Timisoara of guitar and electronics - which is the most blissed-out piece of meditative noise/drone ever from Keiko – paired with an older track of exquisite beauty and which I refused to let die. Gotta love those contrasts.
Conversations About The Light Barren Eyelids Flowering 3"CDR
CATL's calming ambience is obviously captivating, but 'Barren Eyelids Flowering' taints the usually pristine CATL shimmer with some gruesome streaks of noise. The end product somehow retains the usual dreamlike quality but roughly rips holes of harshness in the sound, the two coexisting for an end product I didn't think possible. Packaged in a handmade paper sleeve and wax sealed. Limited to 100 copies.
Origami Bondepraktika & Origami Subtropika & Origami Synergika fan-CDR
Split/collaborative release from Karl Midholm (Ovum), Jorge Castro (Cornucopia, Clon) and Lasse Marhaug (Jazkamer, Testicle Hazard, Origami Replika) whereby the artists created and shared source material before each creating a track from the process.
The outcome varies, but the quality is consistent; each of these guys know their craft, and each produces an assured composition from the ticks, twitches and oddities which were shared. Not ‘noise’ in the strict sense, but an incredible odyssey of experimental creation, and a must for anyone at all interested in any of the artists’ respective projects.
Handsomely packaged in screenprinted plywood and felt packaging, all sandwiched by metal bolts. Screenprinted ‘fan’ discs show off the articulated oroborous while giving you a good 16 minutes of playing time. Packaging is kinda heavy hence the postage cost.
Hum Of The Druid & Fire In the Head 12"
'Double A side' split LP profiling two of the most resolute contemporary projects. Hum Of The Druid gives a side long track representing work done primarily in late 2005-early 2006. Heavy electronic cracking and midrange noise texture melds with electro-acoustic placement and the occasional obscure vocal to establish a diverse landscape of sound. Sound that is decidedly dark, but true-to-life in the perspective it offers. The F/I/T/H side is a slight departure from previous efforts forgoing the relentless 'in your face' aggression of earlier recordings in favor of a more restrained and minimalist mix of raw analog electronics, field recordings, samples (some classic and "cliché", some not so) and vocals culminating in a near-melodic, rhythmic assault of industrial bombast. Paste-on cover artwork from Eric Stonefelt (Hum Of The Druid) and Nick Blinko (Ridmentary Peni), printed labels and multiple inserts. Edition of 300 copies, half of which are here and half of which are with Audio Immolation Industries with whom this record was co-released.
Stegm Harm Reduction C-35
Ryan Bloomer's latest outing as Stegm takes greater stylistic influence from the worrying restlessness of post-mortem industrial than it does from the harsh synth sculptures of much of his previous work. Harm Reduction is more subdued but more clinical, more introverted yet more sinister, these three tracks of bleak analog synthesizer revealing a sinister, calculating side to the project. The tape also works some new elements, carefully, into the traditional Stegm synth focus as small touches of sampling and chilling rhythm worm their way in. Screenprinted tapes and 5" covers reverting to the classic logo and colour scheme. Limited to 100 copies.
Astro Shell Star/Spica CD
In March 2004 I released what was then, and remains now, one of the titles I am most proud to have released on Cipher Productions: the Astro 'Shell Star/Spica' 2x3"CDR. Now five years later that material is reissued on CD, with all-new artwork from Mike Shiflet. 'Shell Star/Spica' was one of the first Astro releases to truly crystalise Hiroshi Hasegawa's use of subtle editing techniques and beautiful layering/mixing control with his synth mastery, for two near-20 minute tracks of dizzying orchestration and arrangement. This is where the modern Astro sound began, to be continued into equally competent works as 'Astral Orange Sunshine', and I'm incredibly pleased to make it available again for those who missed out the first time around. Jewel case edition of 500 copies.
Clew Of Theseus The Playground Of The Damned CDR
Recorded in 2002-2003, 'The Playground Of The Damned' was originally intended for the Solipsism label, which unfortunately was ended before this disc could see the light of day. While a small artist edition disappeared into the ether, it's now finally time to bring 'The Playground Of The Damned' out from obscurity. The disc is a maelstrom of intense, engaging, finessed piece of harsh sonics with a heavier editing presence than other Clew Of Theseus releases, and mastered to painful perfection. 'The Playground Of The Damned' is the most focused, most tightly-wound, most intimidating release from Clew Of Theseus to date, carefully balanced with shorter ambient interludes and sample use. I'm incredibly glad to have this disseminated properly after clutching the previous artist edition for so long. Full colour 4 panel cover, disc and traycard. Limited edition of 100 copies.
K2 Target To Nowhere CDR
Finally some new material from Kimihide Kusafuka's K2. Recorded in 2003, 'Target To Nowhere' is nothing short of K2's dizzying cascade of junk metal manipulation and electronic elegance, contorted into grim chaos for the opening track before returning to the tighly edited, constantly re-inventive pincer-strike that this project is renowned for, with the two remaining studio tracks. Also includes a lengthy, barraging live track with the same elements melted and malleted while on the front line. Full colour collage artwork, A5 cover, insert and printed disc. Edition of 100 copies.
Knife City Hex Inheritance 2xC-35
The final Knife City release is an expansive double cassette collection spanning the project's most productive timespan of 2004-2007. Four sides running the full range of possibilities this project had to offer, from lush textural floats to biting feedback scald and punishing distortion barging. This one-time Warmth cohort delivers a particularly poignant and personal take on noise timbral intricacies, and perhaps this release will give a few more people the opportunity to experience Branden's abilities. Full colour professionally printed artwork, inserts and labels all housed in an oversized white cassette caddy.
The Rita & Wilt Werewolf In The Black Space CD
This tantalising meeting of the minds first saw light in two ridiculously tiny cassette editions on Wilt's own ORCO label. This CD reissue maintains the roughly-sawn quality of the original, adds a lengthy new track, and replaces the artwork with some sexy, bloodied ladies for your entertainment. With such disparate takes on their craft, it's no surprise this CD finds both Wilt and The Rita dragging each other's imposing form into new areas; approached either as a re-imagining and re-contextualising of The Rita, or a brutish noise immersion for Wilt, 'Werewolf In The Black Space' surpasses any obvious confrontation for six moody, bloody, invasive and violent tracks of inspired texturising and midnight stalk which will appeal to those interested in either project's output. 6 panel cover booklet and traycard. Edition of 500 copies.
Ichorous & Broken Diode Malevolence Vol. 1 C-24
Finessed, vibrant, active noise from both Ichorous and Broken Diode on this one. Malevolence Vol. 1 is nothing more, and nothing less, than a commitment of harsh noise intended for, and vested in, the split cassette format. For its 22 minute playing time this one just never lets up or shuts up, a furnaced maelstrom from each. Edition of 100 copies with full-colour A5 covers and tape labels all designed by Andy Phelps (Ichorous).
Dieter Müh & Mnem Atomyriades CD
'Atomyriades' is a composition of surprising tone and style that forays into territories which are stylistically distant from what's come before from each of Dieter Müh and Mnem, rich organic textures and searching electronic compositions which owe as much to an expansive industrial search as they do to Eno-esque or even Biosphere-ish cold and warm textural layers. Collaborative work breaking new ground for both artists, whom you may know for past releases on labels including Tesco, Segerhuva, Blade, Drone, Harbinger, Xerxes and Kaos Kontrol. Perhaps for Mnem afficionados lying somewhere close to 'Engrama', and for those in the Dieter Müh know the closest trek could be 'The Bjorn Tapes' or 'Tertium Organum'? Stunning and brave audio work housed in a digipack with design from Dieter Müh's David Uden. Edition of 500 copies.
Guilty Connector Ikomayam Stars 'n' Nishinari EP 7"
This 7" EP decisively marks Guilty Connector's new identity, the first side focusing the electronics of the project's renown into an orchestra of feedback drones to realise a searing, attentive piece of tension and resolution. The second side is a re-thought collection of sounds utilising minute low-end whisperings and subtle textural introductions for a subdued counterpoint to the scald of the first. Cut at Abbey Road and pressed at Sydney's Vinyl Factory for attentive sound reproduction. Collage colour outer and greyscale inner covers, and handstamped labels. Edition of 200 copies.
Azoikum Anthropophagy CDR
Anthropophagy is in obvious contradiction with the recent Human Maggot Scum cassette on Nil By Mouth. Whereas that was a regressive trip of abrasive harsh rumblings, Anthropophagy is a detailed, directed, developed series of power electronics pieces comprised of synth, samples and perhaps the hint of vocals. The clarity of production and attentiveness of the compositions also reveal that lewd fetishised edge which Azoikum has bared from the beginning. Captivating, sexy, masticating artwork from Nicola Vinciguerra (Tisbor - Turgid Animal) which folds out into an inverted cross. Pro-printed discs. Edition of 100 copies.
Altar Of Flies Black Tunnels C-20
Black Tunnels made complete sense when I was watching a prison interview with contract killer Richard Kuklinski. His vivid tale of leaving victims to be consumed by rats in uninhabitable caves found a perfect soundtrack in the Black Tunnels tapes I was dubbing at the time. Cold synth pacing and sniping noise elements define Black Tunnels, risible in its sickening crawl and crude, dimly-lit electronic clutter. Another strong showing from Altar Of Flies after outings on Release The Bats, Styggelse, Husk, 905 and his own Hästen & Korset label. Printed covers and tape labels on grey stock.
Altar Of Flies Black Tunnels C-20 + 5"
This special edition of Black Tunnels includes a lathe-cut 5" vinyl containing two tracks which complete the kill, the record again housed in a printed sleeve on grey stock. Both media have then be wrapped in a handmade assortment of broken timber, plastic sheeting, hessian and a tarry varnish. Limited to 30 copies for enthusiasts only. Please note the special packaging is a bit cumbersome and weighty, which affects postage costs.
The Vomit Arsonist Wretch CD
Wretch is brought to you in partnership with Force Of Nature and represents a journey through the mind of Andrew Grant, aka The Vomit Arsonist. A decidedly personal and unnerving recording, Wretch was written during a period of mental instability that lasted nearly two years. The result is a release that bleeds raw emotion: loss, hatred, self-loathing, and reflection; starting at rock bottom with waves of dark ambience and quietly spoken words, moving further into the depths of a tortured mind. The result is a gradual advance into forceful, vengeful power electronics. CD and insert in a slimline wallet. Edition of 500 copies.
12" vinyl postage (flat fee)
16 Bitch Pile-Up Bury Me Deep CD (Troniks)
Super wierdo pastiche of noise, found sounds, motorcycles, billowy industrial, creep electronics and bloody cover-art. Plays out as a creepy, unsuitable montage even though it's not really?
666 Volt Battery Noise Audio Super Predator CD (Pure)
One of those harsh CDs that just fucking NAILS it. 666VBN ain't precious, they just wanna smack your face. And you wanna let them, right?
A Crown Of Light The Clearing CD (Eibon)
Collaboration between Conversations About The Light and Crown Of Amaranth, a dark ambient CD with a load of disparate and demanding influences. A rewarding, complex listen.
Agit8 Ache CDR (Obscurica)
Budget reissue of Agit8's defining moment, an embittered avalanche of blooded electronics, gutted machinery and overblown distortions. This disc tacks on two bonus tracks to the original's audio content. Highly recommended!
Agit8 & Cheap Machines split CDR (Brise-Cul)
The now standard Agit8 arm-breaking crunch teamed up with an engaging composite of noises from Cheap Machines.
Alpha Ailuros Kätzchenszenen CDR (Xerxes/Nekoisis)
New collaboration from Yasutoshi Yoshida (Government Alpha) and Reiko A (ex-Merzbow, sometime member of Astro) featuring one track more in line with Reiko's humbler noise/ambient workings and two tracks of seething Government Alpha-esque extremity. In oversized packaging. Recommended.
Altar Of Flies & Dead Seagull C-30 (Erode)
Typically excellent coarse electronics/synth and disturbing droned un-resolution from Altar Of Flies, paired with a fantastic semi-melodic drone/stammer track from Dead Seagull. Recommended.
Altar Of Flies & Sewer Election 12" (Release The Bats)
Superb split pairing two tracks from Altar Of Flies alternating a legato and staccato take on the project's most melancholy atmosphere yet, and Sewer Election's industrial-laced monotone crunch and feedback. Synth and dynamic clutter vs. smoggy insolence. Highly recommended.
Aluminum Noise Army Of Robots CDR (Soulworm)
Yep the spelling is theirs. Early project from Jason Crumer (NIDWST, American Band, etc.) which reads somewhat like a gutter-soaked lo-fi version of the Amazing Grace album, coupled with some early noise excursions.
American Band American Band's First Album CD (Blossoming Noise)
Bliss-out harshnoise masterminded by Jason Crumer (Facedowninshit, Amazing Grace, NIDWST), and also featuring Matt Franco (Air Conditioning) and Lee Counts. Pure, barely relenting and amazingly restless harshnoise, a fucking fantastic CD. Highly recommended.
Anakrid Ceaselessly Out Of A Cloudless Sky C-30 (Black Horizons)
Third in the trilogy (?) of Anakrid cassettes on Black Horizons, and continuing the visual aesthetic, Ceaselessly Out Of A Cloudless Sky churns whimpering electronics with coarse 'real' instrumentation - a dizzying blowout of electric and acoustic squeals and plundering.
Anakrid Crash Your Putrid Minds C-30 (Black Horizons)
Definitely a surprise for those expecting the lush serenity of the recent studio LPs, Crush Your Putrid Mind is a more abrasive (live?) Anakrid, heavier on loops and snarling sonics - but pulled off just as effectively as the emotive LP content. I latched onto this project after missing a couple of early releases, don't make the same mistake!
Anemone Tube Existence CD (Auf Abwegen)
Superb CD of what are, at times, surprisingly extreme electronics intertwined with expert composition and dynamic skill. A largely ignored artist whose track record is, in fact, highly commendable. Excellent CD, highly recommended.
Angel Of Decay Bleeding On The Flowers CDR (Bloodlust!)
A reissue of last year's limited tape release, now on a digital format. Jonathan Canady's most aggressive (and best!) release since G.R., two solid expositions of analog synth armoury (not unlike early Astro at times) which succumb to occasional blasts of harder noise and vocals. Highly recommended, and the artwork kills too!
Animal Steel Sleep Forever Blue Face Babe C-20 (Destructive Industries)
Chaotic power electronics-esque madeness from a member of twodeadslutsonegoodfuck. Nicely presented maelstrom of electronic, sampled and physical sounds.
Armenia Dislessico CDR (Seven Sermones Ad Mortuos)
Savage lengthy track of harshness, a vibrant amalgam of hard feedback, excessive high end and moaning mid-range textures.
Armenia & The Nautilus Deconstruction & Kummieband & Glebstoff & Groyxo 3 Way Split CD CDR (Scrotum)
Single tone skree and ephemeral grit from Armenia. Wierdo distortion and kitchen sink ruckus from The Nautilus Deconstruction and Kummieband & Glebstoff. Superb cut-up metal junk and voice exuberance from Groyxo. A must have for the Groyxo piece alone.
Astro & Jazkamer & Hair Stylistics Motorcycle Fuck With The Ghost Rider CD (Archive)
Nasty almost wallish noise collaboration from these renowned artists, a filthy slab of gutter noise overflowing with instrumentation and swimming in contempt. Highly recommended.
Astro & Tabata & Reiko A & SynYo Live At Velvet Sun CDR (Utsu Tapes)
Limited restock on an understandably popular title, this immaculate collaboration is a sugary, dense, satisfying live set from four mature performers at their elegant best. Highly recommended.
Aube Blau+Rot 7" (Auf Abwegen)
New Aube 7" and first release on Auf Abwegen in a while? Akifumi puts a percussion synth through its paces, a curvaceous and subtle tender exploration on the first side, the second a blustering forage for hidden worlds and sounds which resolves into a curious ending motif, all with the usualtextural signatures of Aube.
Aube Imagery Resonance CD (Aquarelist)
Contemporary Aube recordings with a cold, austere outlook not unlike the classic 'Luminous' or similarly callous recordings. Great new CD, highly recommended.
Aube Le Syndrome Aquatique 2xCD (Silentes)
Reissue of the classic Aqua Syndrome (originally a CD on Manifold), now with an extra studio track and a bonus disc of superb live material. Hypnotic, quite arid (surprisingly) compositions of intertwining timbral trickles. Highly recommended.
Aube Metal On Metal 2xCD (Silentes)
Reissue of the one of my favourite Aube recordings, the Métal de Métal CD (originally on Manifold), now expanded with a bonus disc of live material. For me this disc perfectly captures the tension between source material and performer, playing off the sonic qualities of the metal sources with skill and care. Highly recommended.
Aube Recontextual Abstraction 1996 2xCD (Gender Less Kibbutz)
One of my personal favourites, a 2CD collection compiling all of Aube's compilation tracks recorded in the 1996 calendar year. A perfect showcase of this project's array of sound sources, compositional approaches, sound variations and shifting intensities. Buy now or cry about it later and probably later after that.
Aube Reworks Stefano Gentile II CD (Silentes)
Very serene, minimal, almost melodically repetitive new reworking from Akifumi Nakajima. I find the quiet lapping of this CD very peaceful and appropriate, but this CD is unlikely to please those who haven't kept up with Aube's work over the last four or five years.
Aube & Dschim K. Sandbleistift 10" (Licht-Ung)
Abstract synth/noise/wierdness output from Aube, very uncharacteristic and very cool. Sandbleistift = Licht-Ung (I think?) and is more over-the-top noise/oddness freakout, always difficult to describe and a pleasure to begin to comprehend.
Azoikum Human Maggot Scum C-60 (Nil By Mouth)
Lurid, potent, driving harsh noise from this unpredictable German project. Sleazy stuff stuffed into a denim sleeve with a skank-filled collage insert. Recommended.
Barnes/Mattin Achbal Al Atlas CD (Little Enjoyer)
Very eclectic and higlhy listenable collaboration from Tim Barnes & Mattin, ranging from bizarre audio experimentations to satisfying noise and beyond. Better than I can do it justice by this description.
Barrikad & Hydra & Death Squad Entropic Society/Neurology 2 10" (Segerhuva)
Second hand (but in very good condition) copy of this highly recommended split 10", pairing Barrikad's lashed, brazen harsh noise tumult wth an evocative sound and psychoanalytical study which is the collaboration of Hydra and Death Squad. Awesome.
Barzel Born To Destroy Amalek CD (Topheth Prophet)
Israeli power electronics act going for more of a Tesco-inspired sound this time around. Plenty of aggressive zionist electronics and effect-swamped vocals, inter-filled with sparse tracks utilising sample mantras.
Bastard Noise Three Dollar Date + 3"CD (Housepig)
Gripping reissue of one and a half 7"s by Bastard Noise, helped out by Namanax and Woe Is Me on the 1/2. Staggering array of sounds and gnarled textures, immediately one of my all-time favourite Bastard Noise efforts. Comes with a magnifying glass so you can strain to read all the mini inserts.
Bizarre Uproar & The Cherry Point & Gelsomina CDR (Rokot)
Nothing unexpected in this three-way split released in 2008 from material recorded in 2007. Class all the way.
Bjerga/Iversen Cosmic Surgery CDR (Housepig)
Creepy lo-fi textures from this duo, a nasty little half-hour of extended what-the-fuck sourced primarily from guitar and the sandbox.
Black Leather Jesus Prove To Me That You're More Than Meat CD (Audio Dissection)
Newest CD of Black Leather Jesus roughness, three tracks of achingly harsh sex noise and one extended track of unashamed junk metal mood and abuse. Great stuff.
Tore H. Boe Suave Siesta CD (Purple Soil)
Fascinating collection of site recordings from Morocco which have been edited, extended, smeared and toyed with digitally. Tore has a particular ear for the way in which sounds exist and how they may come about, and this CD is one if his finest, purest collections.
Brethren 10" + DVDR (Freak Animal)
Brethren's vinyl debut, a complex piece of text by JR Colson structured and shaped into two brave, confronting tracks of hostile vocals and up-front noise pacing. Comes with a documentary DVDR related to the selected theme.
Brethren Within Death You Will Be Free CD (Audial Decimation)
Opening salvo from this notorious American project, four live sets showcasing the artist at possibly his most hostile, hints of Con-Dom but with a more varied backdrop. The live tracks are suitably confrontational in their delivery, and this CD reissue (originally a CDR on Open Wound) includes two additional tracks. Content may not be for everyone, please don't come crying.
Brume After The Battle CD (EE Tapes)
Melancholy ambience, uncertain rhythmic constructs and hostile acoustic elements collide in this fantastic new CD from Christian Renou. Great cover artwork by Jonathan Canady (Malsonus/Detahpile/Angel Of Decay/Nightmares/etc.).
BT.HN Her Serpent CD (PACrecTroniks)
Shadowed wall noise from the mind behind The Rita, adding esoteric voice/cloak and dagger touches. Grim stuff indeed.
BT. HN. Vitiated 12" (Dogma Chase)
Brooding, swampish, sickly noise sullenness from BT. HN., now on a lovingly packaged LP thanks to Dogma Chase. Recommended.
Walter Carson Weighted Ghost C-21 (Nurse Etiquette)
Jittery cassette of tape and delay manipulation with the occasional glimmer of electronics or radio sweep. The last track is superb as brittle bass overload tramples whiny high-end repetition, kinda like a bulldozer in a playground if you think about it?
The Cathode Terror Secretion 3"CDR (Accretion Disk)
Brief (about 6 or 7 minutes) full-throttle assault of brutal mdigital extremities adeptly shaped and concentrated into bursts of power electronics fury. Think the best elements of contemporary Whitehouse and Bloodyminded melded into a brave new beast! Recommended.
C.C.C.C. Chaos Is The Cosmos CD (Cold Spring)
Rough track of C.C.C.C. madness from the 1990s, finally remastered and released in 2007. Quartet line-up gives some more Hijokaidan-inspired moments, particularly noticeable with some prominent vocal screams and guitar extremity. This amazing project is one of my all-time favourite noise experiences.
Clew Of Theseus Meridian CD (Cathartic Process)
First CD effort from Clew Of Theseus, and it's a far more organic, quieter, repetitious affair focusing on etheral electronic drones and contrasting elements of earthen junk and hints of noise.
Climax Denial Impulse C-30 (Syzmic)
Seedy new piece of sordidness from Alex Kmet, he's reached a very assured place in his leering power electronics lechery. Recommended.
Cloama CD (New Old Sentinel)
Atmospheric, involving CD of less intrusive, almost ambient compositions from Cloama. Beautiful quality in every respect. Highly recommended.
Cloama & Blutleuchte CD (Anima Arctica)
CD reissue of a previous New Old Sentinel release, the first Cloama and Blutleuchte collaboration is as unsettled as the others, morose atmospherics colliding with rhythmic elements and a pervading gloominess.
Cloama & Blutleuchte Convoluted In Peripheral Sacrifice C-40 (Freak Animal)
Bewildering, staggering collection of new collaborative tracks from these acts, definitely a fresh sound somewhere in the 'esoteric power electronics' vein, whatever and wherever that may be. Hostile vocals, swarming and abstractified electronics, beautiful paint/collage artwork. Recommended.
Cloama & Blutleuchte From Wasteland Mausoleums CD (New Old Sentinel)
Second in the collaborative series between Cloama and Blutleuchte. Unsurprisingly this is a mad mix-bag of industrial and outsider textures, again distilled into a tasty, but large, mouthful of abstraction. Great artwork to this one as with the others. Recommended.
Clo Goelach Forced To Choke CDR (Klaustrosignal)
Nasty, primitive, demeaning power electronics from Lithuania - straight to the point and quite devastating in delivery. Don't let the basic packaging fool you, this is a top effort. Recommended.
Coalition For A Better Tomorrow CDR (Apop)
Eugenics Council/Praying For Oblivion/Sikhara/Scott Nydegger collaboration of heavy power electronics with a distinct lo-fi touch and at times quite prominent rhythms. In icky wax/petri dish packaging for extra cred.
Andrew Coltrane Gongs Of Violence C-30 (Hanson)
Greasy, grimy gutter electronics; plenty of dirt, howl and bitter distortion. Another fine slab of putrescence from Mr Coltrane.
Concern Truth And Distance CD (Iatrogenesis/Digitalis)
Gorgeous suite of compositions for cassette tape, utilising slow-motion acoustic instrumentation ground into analogue dust. Highly recommended.
Con-Dom The Eighth Pillar CD (Functional)
Functional/Tesco CD reissue of the LP originally on SFCR. A quite subdued, dysfunctional effort from Con-Dom, heavier on the vocal effects and with a lethargic tilt to the supporting material. Which is not a bad thing, but yields more of a reflective, even obsessive, side differing from the more powerful explosions this artist may be known for.
Content Nullity & BKPR Retrograde Fractures b-card CDR (Scrape Tapes/Seasonal Affect)
Short (under 5 minutes) and sharp split release of dizzying noise cut-ups from Content Nullity and ambient/noise tramplings from BKPR, both managing to get their point across despite the lack of time.
Cornucopia .c. Works 2xCD (Locus Of Assemblage/Zeromoon)
Reissue of Cornucopia's textured, lovely, extended '.c.' piece, with the second CD a remix of the piece by a range of artists in the harsh/academic/droneambient circles including Omei, Francisco Lopez and Lasse Marhaug.
Cracksteel Bitch Jap Run CD (Chi Omega Institute)
New 2008 full-length CD release from one of my favourites!! Four tracks, and an hour's total, of gushing harshness which includes a modicum of restrained rumble, some all-out feedback fuckery, and piles upon piles of crushing distortion. It's Cracksteel, for fuck's sake!
Crossbred Take Off Your Fuckin' Vanity 3"CDR (Apop)
Psychedelic noise/ambient with clouded synths and samples, a nice rich stew of sound. Groovy wax/petri dish packaging.
Jason Crumer Ottoman Black CD (Ottoman Black)
Jason goes kinda Brume-ish on us with some adept basement editing and windy ethereal textures to bolster up the shunts of bruising noise. Jason can do no wrong of late, again this is highly recommended.
Culver Blue Angel 3"CDR (Muzzedia Verhead)
Fucking gorgeous bleak drone piece from Culver, sullen in outlook and presentation and perfect for the format. Highly recommended.
Culver Recurrent Themes For Consumer Society 3"CDR (Muzzedia Verhead)
Surlier blast from Culver than I'm growing used to, fired up but still thickly encased in dust and shadow.
Daruin & Torturing Nurse & Stpocold CDR (Abgurd)
Three-way split of increasingly noisy digital abstraction from Daruin, blissful junk noise from Torturing Nurse, and scrappy harshness from Stpocold. Nice stuff.
Das Synthetische Mischgewebe 2xCD (Monochrome Vision)
Double CD collecting a range of collaborative works with the likes of ERG, Artificial Memory Trace, Jörg Thomasius, The Oval Language, TBC, MSBR and Government Alpha. The first disc is a carefully plotted electroacoustic study of flittish sounds and flighty dynamics, the second CD rises into noisier realms and with a more languid, ambient feel at times. Extremely well executed and consistently interesting. Recommended.
Deathkey Totenkopf CD (Freak Animal)
Never mind the hype, the arguments, the somewhat disappointing LP - this is the Deathkey material to own. Reissue of two tracks (both under ten minutes) originally found on a double CDR, together with a surly compilation track. Sniping, inspired noise workings.
Death Pact International Siege 1999-2009 CD (Old Europa Cafe)
Biting collection of ascerbic, uncivilised power electronics with plenty of nuance and considerable malice. Conceived by Wertham and featuring contributions from members of The Grey Wolves and Con-Dom. Lachisly presented with multiple explanatory inserts, all in an oversized box. Recommended.
Deathpile Final Confession CD (Pain Compliance)
Welcome re-stock of this near-perfect title, a 'best of' of Jonathan Canady's Deathpile project, including material across Deathpile's discography and culminating in a rehearsal version of a piece destined for the successor to G.R.. Bruising, nasty, degrading, devastating power electronics from one of the '90s/'00s American leaders of the genre. Highly recommended.
Deathroes Final Expense 12" (No Fun/Misanthropic Agenda)
The collaborative might of Gerritt and Sixes meet in full force on this LP, a crisp crunch of morbid electronic lunge and digital wrestle. Perfect blend of the two reveals an infestation of inflections and textures before closing the windpipe for a final all-out salvo. An incredibly fine harsh noise release.
Death Squad Fucked In The USA 3"CD (Freak Animal)
Single lengthy live track from Death Squad, one of Michael's final releases under this moniker. An austere, turgid, powerful performance captured perfectly and realised sensitively. Recommended.
December 23rd & Bloody Letter Scato Split Part 5 CDR (Final Scato)
December 23rd deliver stop-start one-take harsh noise for which they're capable, Bloody Letter is still developing his sound on this disc but it's a winner nonetheless, a more fluid approach building into a clever final piece which simultaneously works a high drone with punishing noise.
Defektro Destructive Reconstruction CD (Lastgasp Art Laboratories)
Heaviest Defektro effort to date, twisted electronics and fucked up machines/robotics. This CD perfectly captures the heart of this great project.
Diagram:A & Chrome Jackson 7" (Spooky Tree)
Split 7" of Diagram:A's burrowing noise machinations and distorted keyboard melancholy from Chrome Jackson.
Dieter Muh Stockholm Monsters 12" (Harbinger)
Dieter Muh live in Stockholm, Sweden, a perfect introduction to their unique industrial/ambient/noise etchings, this LP craftily combining a range of textures and commanding sounds which traverse their raft of recorded output. Excellent sound, amazing vinyl, and a really killer release from these obsessive Brits. Highly recommended.
Dog Holocaust Volume 1, II, III CD (Gaping Hole)
Full-blown assault of smutty, decadent, obsessive harsh noise from the talents of Kakerlak and Sewer Election. Just as filthy and fantastic as you think it is. Recommended.
Drape Excrement & Soldnergeist Black Rider 12" (Steinklang)
Strong LP of previously unreleased material from these related projects, both churning out varied sides of dispassionate ambient/industrial with a heavy emphasis on melancholic, shifting, ghostly forms and immaculate production.
Edwige The Inconsolable Widow Thanks All Those Who Consoled Her CD (Segerhuva)
'Nice price' slipcase CD reissue of the essential 2006 LP also on Segerhuva. Mania, Sewer Election and The Rita team up for an unbelievable harsh noise ode to the one and only Edwige Fenech. There is simply nothing which could possibly be wrong about this. Highly recommended.
Emeralds C-30 (Hanson)
That glassy drone is present, but fogged up a bit, and subject to drug-induced tape/sample interjections, a bewildering but class take on Emeralds' usual shimmer.
Emeralds Solar Bridge CD (Hanson)
Just a breathtaking, beautiful piece of light but tangible drone, pretty much perfect in every way. This one is an absolute must-have, highly recommended!
Kazumoto Endo & Kazuma Kubota Live Recording C-20 (Noise Ninja)
Blistering live collaboration from the gents responsible for Killer Bug and Bloody Letters before they dropped the pseudonyms. An absolutely sterling, hostile, assaulting piece of stop=-and-start harsh electronics. Edition of 65 copies, sold out from the label. Highly recommended.
Envenomist Chariots 12" (Segerhuva)
Increasingly assured project of David Reed (Luasa Raelon) sees its vinyl debut on this fucking classic record. Rewarding synthesizer sculptures unfold, entangle and erupt in chaotic slow motion, a treasure trove of impressive shaping and shimmer.
Envenomist & Fences 2x3"CDR (Phage)
Humbling duo of compositions. Fences is a lovely track of washing guitar drone, Envenomist is a disorienting and harrowing synth blossoming. Packaged in separate mini jewel cases, then encased in a screenprinted outer cover. Recommended.
Ex.Order Corporate Control CD (Power & Steel)
Venomous, powerful, measured new hit from Ex.Order, easily among the best work they've done. Savage yet calculated, and immaculately produced. Highly recommended.
Fecalove & Hoor Paar Kraat Dionysus/Diònysos C-40 (Turgid Animal)
Engrossing collaboration between these two somewhat surprising comrades, capably executed and engaging slow noise movement, textural exploration and intelligent sample use. Comes with pieces of the wine bottle whose contents contributed to the creative process. Highly recommended.
Fecalove & Mutant Ape & Oubliette & Torturing Nurse Eiste Skilohissia 12" (Obelisk/Shasha/Turgid Animal)
Strong Italy/USA/China collaborative material on the A side, individual tracks from each project on the B side. A real tour de force of noise creativity. Recommended.
Fire In The Head Come Closer Cut Deeper CD (Nihilist)
Another savage block of FITH's commanding noise/power electronics, particularly punishing on this occasion!
Fire In The Head Kill From The Inside 3"CDR (L. White)
Brutal noise/power electronics hybrid from this prolific artist, this has to be one of Michael's most threatening outings - five tracks of emotional standover and knife-edge hostility.
Flatline Construct Ugly Sick CDR (Spatter)
One of the newest Flatline Construct works, typically creative yet with an unmistakeable crunch. One for those not scared of digitally-created noise yet who miss the penetrative harshness this creative 'scene' often overlooks - FC delivers!
Gelsomina & No Xivic Furnace (Some Place Else)
Explosive harsh noise from Gelsomina, expertly stressed ambience/ending drone from No Xivic, all coalescing into the first massive collaborative track of droning harshness. Excellent CD.
Gerritt & Manpack Variant Flash Vault 7" (Misanthropic Agenda)
Manpack Variant does bizarro but excellent chaotic cut-up of voice material and gutsy noise, somewhere between Sissy Spacek and Bastard Noise? Gerritt does creepy staccato electronics apparently before an audience, more of an outcast, outsider vibe to this half? Nice full-colour covers in plastic sleeve.
Carlos Giffoni & Prurient Heavy Rain Returns CD (iDeal)
Heavy duty assault of uncompromising power electronics and thunderous noise destruction from these frequent collaborators. A violent and climactic exploration of turgid atmospherics and questionable subjects. Recommended.
Glass Organ Our CD (Students Of Decay)
Peaks of molten guitar ladled thickly over lush electronics, a nice example of timbral tension which - with hints of melodies and groggy demeanour - is difficult to describe but impossible to stand up. Highly recommended.
Goat Goat's Holy Mountain CDR (HarshNoise)
Single destructive track of high-energy Goat noise, a well-developed rush of overload and mean spiritedness. Recordings seem few and far between, so enjoy while you can?
Government Alpha Quaint Putrid Slang CD (Kubitsuri)
Caustic new shove and shunt from Yasutoshi Yoshida, his consistently abrasive style in full effect.
Government Alpha & Licht-Ung CD (Licht-Ung)
Bitter storm of extreme sonics from Government Alpha, this guy really can do no wrong, and his recent spate of releases are among his best. Licht-Ung is strange, messy noise from Germany which is very charming and very difficult to sum up in a few words. Heavy glass frame packaging means postage sucks, sorry.
Government Alpha & Licht-Ung CD (Licht-Ung)
Same CD as above but with a 7" sleeve instead of the glass frame packaging. Bitter storm of extreme sonics from Government Alpha, this guy really can do no wrong, and his recent spate of releases are among his best. Licht-Ung is strange, messy noise from Germany which is very charming and very difficult to sum up in a few words.
Government Alpha & Torturing Nurse Countercurrent CD (Xerxes)
Pummelling CD from Government Alpha and Torturing Nurse, a solo track from each and two collaborative tracks, the entirety an all-out attack of bruising harsh noise. Recommended.
Grand Nord IV C-20 (Nurse Etiquette)
Raucous harsh noise from the creator of Wapstan; Grand Nord is a simple but effective rush of low-end wall with scoops of tasty feedback ladled over thickly.
The Grey Wolves Judgment CD (Hospital)
Cassette reissue of a dusty old cassette, along the lines of 'Blood and Sand' rather than the Wolves' more confrontational nastiness, but a bit more active and entrancing.
Griefer Defense Research Establishment 3"CDR (Silken Tofu)
Awkward, muffled, sincere power electronics from Canada adopting an introverted stance via their buried vocals and pushing the clever instrumentation to the front.
Groyxo Live At Club Otoya one-sided C-10 (Spook Warfare)
Sharp blasts of grumpy distortion for five minutes, a live performance then recycled or otherwise toyed with for fun. Totally noisy.
Guilty Connector 2am/Cosmic Visit CD (Groundfault)
Another collection of out of print releases (including the killer Tabula Rasa 3"CDR!) and older material.
(The) Guilty Connector Curved Dream In Town CD (Kubitsuri Tapes)
Long-awaited new CD from Guilty Connector is a brave, startling combination of hazy drones, power electronics-esque ferocity and some sizzling noise. Nicely arranged, never boring, and most intriguing. Recommended.
(The) Guilty Connector Live At Bears CDR (Utsu Tapes)
New 20 minute live recording from Guilty Connector which ditches all but the faintest hints of the project's previous blistering noise output to focus on foggy electronic drone and twitch - with superb results! Fans of any of the Lethal Firetrap recordings will have some idea of what to expect.
Guilty Connector Mother's Bloated Corpse CD (Utsu Tapes)
Newly packaged edition of this classic CD, now in aplastic sleeve with minimal artwork - and at a kinder price! Truly essential collection of brutish, uncompromising, fucking supreme quality harsh noise from this under-appreciated project. Highly recommended.
Guilty Connector Transfer EP CDR (Utsu Tapes)
New EP of harsher work from Guilty Connector, although still taking cues from his recent drone-based compositions.
Haare Aquarian Darkness 7" (Hateville)
Subdued slab of shrouded dark electronics and midnight tolls from Haare, a first-rate 7"! Recommended.
Halthan Subliminal Kill CDR (Nil By Mouth)
Dismal power electronics with a more lo-fi atmospehre than the last couple of releases. Great sense of poise and structure, the vocals are particularly buried on this one for a rawer, noisier flow.
Hiroshi Hasegawa & Aaron Igler CD (Archive)
Hiroshi Hasegawa (Astro/CCCC/Mortal Vision) this time teams up with Aaron Igler for an extended slow-motion synth drowning, ending in an all-encompassing near-violence. Superbly packaged by the incredible Archive label. Recommended.
The Haters Wind Licked DirtC-0 (Hanson)
Cassette reissue of the LP and CD. This tape is played by rubbing dirt on it, not in your cassette deck. Dirt not included due to customs issues, but locals please ask and I will provide. Mandatory. Of course.
The Haters & Lockweld 12" (Gameboy)
Erosion as an ugly noise vinyl. Grating sedentiary noise from Haters and a vocal-less Lockweld side of similar grit. Gone from most places, so get it while it's here!
Hatred In Eyes & Clo Goelach & Good For Nothing CDR (Klaustrosignal)
Split release of gritty, primitive, forceful power electronics from Hatred In Eyes and Clo Goelach, finishing with a noisier set of tracks from Good For Nothing. Really promising material by all artists, this is a class release!
Hedorah CDR (Crucial Bliss)
The gents from Wilt look even further afield, incorporating hefty drone, noise, doom and black metal influences for a chilling, ugly, utterly convincing full-length. Recommended.
Human Larvae Home Is Where The Hurt Is CD (Existence Establishment)
Highly recommended full-length CD from this obscure, talented, creative project. Home Is Where The Hurt Is is ostensibly a power electronics CD, but expands its boundaries far wider, unveiling a rich array of sonic devices and first-rate implementation.
Human Larvae The Odour Of Love 3"CDR (Silken Tofu)
Amazing, evocative piece of varying sub-genre elements, all skillfully woven into a surprising, engaging piece. Recommended.
Ichorous Blastorture CDR (Accretion Disk)
Forceful new attack from Ichorous utilising recycled and re-worked material from a timespan of a few years, all updated and thrashed for ultimate noise opportunity.
Iconoclasm Statement C-10 (Monotype)
New material from the project formerly known as Montage. Side A is a stunning work of brutal, violent harsh noise; the second side is a more considered industrial/power electronics monster. Both pieces are tops. Comes packaged in an anti-static bag filled with inserts and a pin. Highly recommended.
Inade Aldebaran CD (Cold Spring)
Early CD of Inade's luscious, detailed, evocative ambient work. Beautifully rendered and consistently captivating.
Incapacitants El Shanbara Therminosis CD (Segerhuva)
Digipack CD reissue of the classic GROSS tape plus a new 20 minute track from 2007. The 1990s material is theremin-heavy noise bliss with a touch more studio control than perhaps I'm used to from the Incapacitants recordings this side of Y2K. Easily one of their best. The new track is straight-up true Incapacitants delivery as well, no fucking around here. Highly recommended.
Incapacitants Live In Oslo DVDR (Freak Animal)
Blistering live performance from Incapacitants captured in digital video in January 2007 for excellent sound and picture quality. Engrossing boisterousness from everyone's favourite salaryman tag-team and surely one of the most important harsh noise units of the last 20 plus years.
Infinite Body & Emaciator 12" (Monorail Trespassing)
Beautiful new split LP in printed jackets enlarging the brooding Monorail Trespassing aesthetic. Infinite Body do wiry guitar drone with serene movement and choice textural additions, Emaciator does my favourite track so far in this 'new' style, pallid industrial/ambient which settles in the room like crematorium ash.
Iovae Civilization CD (SNSE)
This one is far better than the previous Iovae I've heard, a totally tripped-out composite of stretched synth,croaked noise, deathly silence and other wierd goodness.
Irikarah Endstation Steinbruch CD (Blade)
Supreme CD of bleak, scarred PE which ditches the overtly rhythmic pulses for tense, bristling, lengthy tracks of bomb-shelter restlesness. Highly recommended.
Irikarah Get On Your Knees/Conditioned 7" (Steinklang)
Pulsing, rhythmic power electronics with a methodically clean production. For its more beat-structured style it still retains a cold atmosphere, helped along by choice vocal intrusions.
IRM Four Studies For Crucifixion 10" (Cold Meat Industry)
Unique four-pack of industrial/power electronics compositions utilising varied instrumentation and forceful vocals. Don't let the CMI tag divert you, this is top-shelf work and a perfect introduction to this duo.
IRM Indications Of Nigredo 12" (Segerhuva)
Sick new 12" from IRM, what starts out as a subtly haunting maniac turns into a heavy-breathing, unpredictably violent maniac, all while exploring wonderfully original instrumental facets to underscore the voice/electronics. A completely fascinating and highly recommended record.
Irukandji Prey For Me 12" (RRR)
Five cuts of pristine harsh electronics from the creative impetus behind Fire In The Head and Sky Burial. Please note that the content of each side is the same.
Irukandji The Suicide Jump EP CDR (Silken Tofu)
Another vicious spray of harsh noise from Mike Page under his Irukandji moniker, this one circling the truth before tackling it to the ground. EP around 20 minutes long.
Is & Circuit Wound ... 2x3"CDR (Phage Tapes)
Each artist takes a disc of around 20 minutes, Is letting loose a burly pack of clamouring harshities while Circuit Wound divides the second disc with some initial blunt force distortion and which lulls into drain-circling minimalism.
Isomer Face Toward The SunCD (Tesco)
Another solid step forward from Isomer, equal parts power electronics, old school industrial and hints of neoclassical ambient (well, sort of). Extremely well produced, well developed and mature, fluid set of compositions. Recommended.
Jarl Parallel/Collapsing CD (Segerhuva)
Depressive, focused ambient work with a much more intense feel than others. Recommended.
Jazkamer Balls The Size Of Texas Liver The Size Of Brazil CD (Purle Soil)
I never thought I'd use the word "beautiful" about a Jaz(z)kam(m)er release, but here it is. This. Is. Beautiful. What? Messrs Hegre and Marhaug bin the majority over their overloaded glory to bring in a disc dominated by smooth guitar ambience and some wistfully composed contemplative material. A couple of down 'n' dirty harsh ditties creep in too, all making for one of my favourite Jazkamer releases to date. Wrapped up in a nice fold-out fullc-lour sleeve. Recommended.
Jazzfinger The Little Girl On The Plane Who Turned Her Doll's Head Around To Look At Me CD (MuzaMuza)
Precarious, unsettled harpsichord/'fuckhorn' drawl, dust and drone. Wheezy, unnerved and dingy, a great setting and a strong disc, recorded almost a decade ago!
Jazzfinger Winter's Shadow Between Two Worlds CDR (Curor)
Really nice drone/organic sound pieces with a slightly roughed up audio presentation.
Jewish Uprising Desperate Prince Charming C-6 (Monorail Trespassing)
Short but sweet split of scummy, frantic, ugly guitar/drum/vocal abuse heavy on the feedback and devoid of any recording finesse, just overwhelming, bruising coarseness.
Joshua Norton Cabal We Speak Through Wires C-30 (Self Abuse)
Long-awaited new material from this blade-sharp electronics mauler, incorporating occasionally lilting elements in with some truly angered noise and gnashing pedal wrestle.
GX Jupitter-Larsen Big Time Crash Bang 12" (RRR)
The perfect noise record in many ways - endless, repeated, violent and collided recordings of car crashes. Brilliance as only GX can do. Recommended.
G.X. Jupitter-Larsen Crickets In The Hollywood Subway/Tasmanian Devil About The Polywave 7" (Little Enjoyer)
Engaging new work from Mr Jupitter-Larsen utilising recordings of the titular animals as primary sound sources/inspiration. A new aspect to GX's discography, and an extremely fine one at that. Luxurious leterpress covers.
G.X. Jupitter-Larsen Polyheiluttaa 7" (Freak Animal)
Turgid new set of turntable tumult from the man behind The Haters, and definitely reminiscent of that pseudonym's early works in parts. THe smallest particles take on the greatest significance in this studied surge of grating non-silence.
G.X. Jupitter-Larsen & IDX1274 Sandpaper And Vinyl 3"CDR (Spaceless Jam)
Both audio and packaging deliver up the promised gritty goodness, a rawly captured live set of abrasion.
Justice Yeldham Cicatrix CD (Sweat Lung)
"The Justice made me cry". Mr Yeldham returns from the road to collate a series of recordings comprising studio efforts, digital soundchecks and live fuckery - plus a YouTube "content inappropriate" audiovisual extremity sure to have you reaching for the clotting agent. More blowing, munching, breaking and lubing of glass than thought possible from one man - and the video is insane! Icky (printed, not real!) band-aid cover in lovely foldout cover and booklet with plenty of the running red stuff. Good, but for all the wrong reasons.
Killer Bug Beyond The Valley Of The Tapes 2xCD (Ninth Circle/Troniks)
Perfect reissue of nearly all the Killer Bug material, achingly remastered and spread thickly over two CDs. Kazumoto Endo in his pre-Kazumoto Endo, bondage cover-adorned days, and a near-perfect representation of the 'Japanese harsh noise' sound and aesthetic. From unremittant crunch to shocking cut-up and raw metal bashing, this is all the staples set to 11. Highly recommended.
Klinikal Skum Miasma CDR (Abgurd)
Another Ryan Opperman (Skeletone) exercise in cold, clinial, desolate atmospheres as only he can envisage. A fucked up, barren world in which to find oneself.
Koeff Liminal Looks 3"CD (Unrest)
Solid exploration of strange, violent, uncomfortable and sullen industrial/power electronics atmospheres with some commanding vocals cutting through.
Josh Lay Asphyxiation Worship 7" (Black Horizons)
Fucking superb floating of creepy ambient undercurrents which hit rocky vocals on the first side. Usually immaculate presentation from Black Horizons. Highly recommended.
Josh Lay True Mask CD (Small Doses)
A more eclectic, unpredictable set of pieces for Josh's first CD, however still including some first-rate power drone work along with bruising power electronics influences and guitar experimentation.
Le Syndicat Timespace Losses 1982/1987 CD (Monochrome Vision)
Primitive, wiry noise/industrial from this pioneering French project. This CD compiles tracks previously found on a number of cassette compilations, together with the project's first live recording. For fans of early industrial a la Produktion.
LHD Limbs Of The Fawn CD (Misanthropic Agenda)
Phil Blankenship (The Cherry Point/Lefthandeddecision) and John Wiese (John Wiese/Bastard Noise/Sunn0)))/Sissy Spacek/many other cool things) join forces for another blackened onslaught of pure wall monstrousness. Black, black, blackety black from all concerned as the shadowed knife of a million distortion particles rips out your fucking guts and drapes them like a scarf.
LHD Opaque CD (Pure)
The Wiese/Blankenship duo go for broke here, a classic harsh noise chokehold of smog and laceration, and on the "resurrected" Pure label no less!
Lockweld Eight Cuts 12" (NCC)
This thing's shaped like a fucking sawblade! Nasty in-the-red power electronics machinations with some vocals.
Locrian Drenched Lands CD (At War With False Noise/Small Doses)
Smudged, obfuscated doom/noise/industrial hybrid focusing on vocals, synths and guitars. Like being at the mercy of a bull shark in a murky lake, without ever feeling the bite. Includes the material from the 10" on Diophantine.
Locrian & Katchmare 7" (Pilgrim Talk)
Locrian beats a feedback drone with short squeals, haunted voices and salty tears. Katchmare cradle a contemplative warble of digitalia/drone with confident, assured direction. Decent 7".
Luasa Raelon Consumed Within The Years Of Lead CD (Snip-Snip/PACrec)
FINALLY some Luasa Raelon material back in stock. 'Consumed Within The Years Of Lead' is Luasa Raelon's first 'proper' CD release, and a mighty effort of dinge and despair it is.
Luasa Raelon Season Of The Witch CD (Snip-Snip)
Latest CD from David offering an even more overpowering sense of desolation, abstraction and fear. More of a chilling plod to this CD, doom without any of the genre trappings and synths/electronics imposing the freeze. Probably my favourite of the Luasa Raelon CDs to date, although they're all so goddamn good?
Luasa Raelon The House Of Flesh CD (Snip Snip)
Latest CD from Luasa Raelon, a particularly atmospheric effort which reminds me of that scene in Hellraiser II where the doctor has brutally killed all his patients and the ward is awash with blood - fucking nasty, scary, visceral stuff, without really engaging in the confrontation.
Eric Lunde aka Trait Inspirationals CD (Industrial Recollections)
Perfect reissue of this old tape work from Eric Lunde, a dying and disturbing examination of dusted tape textures and slow-motion drowning. Highly recommended.
Macronympha Melting Softly Into Time 12" (Hospital/Self Abuse)
Welcome release of late 1990s Macronympha, a focused cutting board of dissected specimens stitching crumbling distortion, motor whine and whir, blasting electronics and hardened obsession. This LP takes things into the disjointed cut-up realm about as far as Macronympha would ever go, almost into K2 territory (without the sparkle) but ultimately one of a kind.
Macronympha Sex And Death 7" (Hospital)
Turgid, gritty noise eroticism continuing the Macronympha revival. Classy collage covers of the title materials, something for everyone really?
Maison Close CD (Nuit et Brouillard)
Contemplative, unnerving French power electronics project exploring tense atmospheres and fewer vocal interjections with Johnny Got His Gun samples cleverly interlaced throughout. A thoughtfully executed CD which steers away from the majority of your usual PE stylings.
Lasse Marhaug If The Revolution Could Start Right Now 7" (Ketchup Cavern)
Short but sweet one-sided 7" from one of the world's favourite Norwegian noisers, this time Lasse is keen to bruisingly throw his noise around, jarring crashes and lonely silences piled lovingly together.
Lasse Marhaug Quality Control CD (Anoema)
Well I'll be. Mr Marhaug delivers the goods with this lowdown dirty noise CD, returning back to his guitar/turntable/noise electronics basics for some old school noise thrash. Thank you sir.
Lasse Marhaug & Bad Kharma Red Tape Rot 6 C-20 (Fukk Tapes)
Sixth collaborative effort from these gents, and this time it's a boisterous wallop of crushed-up noise bliss, heavy on the high-end hiss, smeary feedback and uncontrollable excitement. This one has a great '90s noise vibrancy to it.
Daniel Menche Beast Resonator CD (Roggbif)
Complex CD of percussion/voice/delay experimentation from Daniel Menche, which takes a little while to get going before rising into gargatuan towers of pulse and sound.
Merzbow Batztoutai With Material Gadgets/Loop Panic Limited 2xCD (RRR)
Ultra cheap and absolutely essential Merzbow. Quite possibly my favourite Merzbow release, partially a re-working of 1980s LP material and which is incredibly mannered, perfectly executed, and a fascinating creative nexus between Masami Akita's '80s workings and his '90s harsh heyday. The packaging gets worse with every edition from RRR, but fuck it - you need this double CD. Please.
Merzbow Frog: Remixed and Revisited 2xCD (Misanthropic Agenda)
One of the earliest and most widely disseminated digital-era Merzbow releases, now reissued as a double CD with a whole bunch of extra hiss and hustle. FUck the naysayers, this is actually one of the more capable Merz discs of the 21st century, a more relaxed and at times melodic ambience which is more than worthy of your attention.
Merzbow Live In Geneva CD (Walnut + Locust)
Perfect encapsulation of the early-mid 2000s Merzbow live sound, digital skree and screech caterwauled for an hour or so. Hard to find disc already, get it before it's gone!
Merzbow & John Wiese Multiplication CD (Misanthropic Agenda)
Immense set of harshness from this ultimate meeting of noise minds. Wiese brings hell to the surface with five intense blasts before Mr Akita shoves Satan back down with an extended bliss-out. Highly recommended.
Metaconqueror Of Steel, Bone and Fire CDR (Syzmic)
Extremely well-done ashen ambient from one half of Steel Hook Prostheses. Beautifully produced, perfectly austere and ideal for the pitch-black night. Nice sleeve and fold-out insert.
Minamata Niigata CD (Nuit et Brouillard)
Cumbersome old-school grotesquerie utilising shuddering pulses, raw metals, horrified voices, synth ache and other base materials. Industrial in the true sense of the word.
Toshiji Mikawa Gyo-Kai Elegy CD (Anoema)
Time magazine noise CD of the year. Without his Incapacitants counterpart Toshiji is still just as noisy, but this CD is somehow so powerful while being so poignant and thoughtful I almost can't bear it. Mikawa may just be noise, so understanding is this CD. If you intend on buying one title here it should be this CD. Highly, highly recommended.
Kiyoshi Mizutani & Hideaki Shimada & Kiyoharu Kuwayama Gambetta CD (Monochrome Vision)
Evocative, unpredictable new recording featuring one-time Merzbow member Kiyoshi Mizutani, here the closest I've heard to his ZSF LP since the 'Exfoliation' cassette. Wiry electronics, sharp concréte noise and boiling feedback all wrapped up in a single live recording.
Mnem Engrama 12" (Segerhuva)
Reissue of an early 10" with a bonus track, Mnem at its most open and beautiful, decaying loops and concerned sound fragmenting their evocative entropy across two sides of vinyl. Not just "one to discover", but one you fucking should have discovered already.
Mnortham Go 3"CD (Ferns)
Engaging piece of sound work inspired by competitive car-racing... far cooler than I can explain.
Molester Our Kids, Our Business CDR (Chi Omega Institute)
This time Molester drives a far noisier, harsher and more violent attack than the debut CDR, actually not too far from label-mate Cracksteel. Some hints of vocals and samples are present, but this one really qualifies as another solid Japanese harsh noise CDR.
Moljebka Pvlse Sadalsuud CD (Some Place Else)
Dense organic piece of drone which expands into electroacoustic quietude and beautiful effect inflections. A totally charming CD. Recommended.
Moljebka Pvlse & Seventeen Migs Of Spring CD (Topheth Prophet)
Interesting blend of sounds on this CD which centres around a lengthy collaborative track but also showcases each artist's individual workings. Moljebka Pvlse is focused even more so on practically untreated field recordings with superb placement and choice yielding an uneasy, perturbing listen. Seventeen Migs Of Spring mix things up a little more, adding overt digital splatter among found sound and instrument clamour.
Monstrare & Wilt Graveflowers CD (Angle)
Depressive ambient/glitch from Monstrare (aka Cordell Klier) and morose horror ambient from Wilt. Great disc of genuinely downbeat atmospheres.
Gen Ken Montgomery Drilling Holes In The Wall CD (Monochrome Vision)
Most likely the quintessential CD from this American act forming part of the vanguard also populated by the likes of Crawl Unit, Chop Shop and The Haters, all of whom are reference points for this CD as is Maurizio Bianchi. Contains material previously released on cassette and LP by Generations Unlimited and Discos Esplendor Geométrico in the early 1990s, a daring and considered assimilation of the destructive and positive forces colliding for the removal of the Berlin Wall.
Mortuor I'm Waiting For YouCD (Syzmic)
Pathological death industrial dedicated to, and highly reminiscent of, Atrax Morgue at its best. Sick synth/vocals mutations spiralling into terrified deathroes.
Mourmansk 150 Catharsism Of A Trigger CD (Misanthrope)
When Mourmansk 150 is as consistent as this new CD the results are awesome, rough power electronics loaded with atmosphere and bite.
Mourmansk 150 La Guerre, L'Anarchie Et Le Chaos CD (Nil By Mouth)
Anarchic and uninhibited French power electronics from an act which I feel is really beginning to hit its stride. Strong stuff.
Mutant Ape Dres CDR (Produck)
Solid piece of rumbling noise with fleecing high end shrieks, just over 15 minutes in total. CDR also has the same material lathe-cut into it so, apparently, you can play it on your record player if you'd prefer. I haven't tried myself.
Mutant Ape & The Rita Kings Of Violence/Murky By The Sand Bar 7" (Unrest/Turgid Animal)
Mutant Ape just keeps getting better and 'Kings Of Violence' is his pinnacle to date; a really adept, fluid, engaging harsh noise composition. The Rita is classic shipwrecking crunch, another solid piece which once again leaves no survivors.
N. Life CDR (DumpsterScore)
Engaging synth/samples compositions from N. forging a wider and more trenchant path of nauseating sculptures and horrifying ambiences. Strong as always.
Napalmed Up To The Ears In Tinnitus CD (Stand Against Vivisection)
Raucous '90s-inspired harsh 'n' roll from Napalmed, three epic tracks of gluttonous distorted flappery and metal bashes with slices of feedback, guitar and other chunks all cooked in. Cheap price = don't be scared.
Narkoleptik Impuls Dominant CDR (FIR)
Crisp noise ambient/collision utilising plenty of spiralling delay.