"After cutting his teeth as a bass player and experimenting with the industrial noise of Elephant Skull, he began making thrashy electropunk tunes under the name BIRTH!, and he's only been getting stronger. Like some deadly combination of Test Dept and Dandi Wind, he delivers shrieked vocals and war-whoops over brutal analogue electronic beats. Between his other musical duties in Bestial Mouths and Realicide, he tours and plays punishingly energetic shows, having abandoned his apartment and job for the sounds he loves." Ltd x 1000 copies in a digisleeve with lyric sheet and sticker.
UK 9£
Europe 10£
World 11£
QUANTITY
MERZBOW - 'Puroland' CD (OHM Records)
This disc from the Japanese master builds after many minutes into noise, but this is structured, rhythmic, surging blasts of localised power. Reminds of old Skullflower, Holland Skin Tunnel, a loud Nurse With Wound. This is because it feels so instrumental, almost as if a guitar or two are involved in this. From there we return to Akita's early style where the walls of noise were not so loud and thick. There are very obvious variations and mechanical changes within the piece, creating patterns and moods. Digipak.
A tasteful combination of improvised thrash noise / metal by Pymathon (Topias Tiheäsalo and Jaakko Tolvi - the former known for his collaboration with RLW and solo CD, the latter for banging drums in Rauhan Orkesteri) and harsh noise-driven free jazz (not dissimilar to Merzbow in places) by Gentle Evil (Janne Tuomi and Tommi Keränen - the former known for a solo CD and percussion for Circle, the latter for being the other half of Testicle Hazard). Three tracks from Pymathon and a single, long track from Gentle Evil. "Both kick ass, crush skulls and are loud enough to demolish buildings". A solid improv guitar rant for those of a sturdy disposition! Finnish import.
The 13th edition of UK bi-monthly magazine Rock-A-Rolla features fantastic interviews with stoner doom artists Earth, drone ambient masters Stars Of The Lid, guitar drone heroes Skullflower, Burial Hex and Atlas Sound. All this, plus a special on "Classic Label" Important Records. We're also treated to the usual vast selection of news, music, DVD and live reviews from the avant-rock, metal, noise and experimental scenes. Highly recommended!
UK 5.00£
Europe 7.50£
World 10.00£
QUANTITY
VA - 'Untitled' 3 x CD Boxset (Public Guilt Records / Epicene / UndeRadar)
Three labels have teamed up to co-curate and co-release a 55 artist, 225 minute, 3CD compilation of some of the best noise / experimental / avant artists active today. Collected in a chunky kraft paper box and wrapped in a beautiful gold ink on red paper band, "Untitled" features the visual art of four visual artists and tracks from: 1thousand Holy Shards, Aughra, Back From Iraq, Ben S. Jacobs, Bet Hell, Big China/Little Trouble, Black Meat, Blango, Burning Star Core, Cotton Museum, Darsombra, Dead Machines, Decimation Blvd., Destructo Swarmbots, Donna Parker, Door, Earwicker, Forbes Graham, Gerritt, Gerritt & John Wiese, Guilty Connector, Heires Of Rockefeller, Herpes Ö DeLuxe, Hum Of The Druid, Iovae, Jason Zeh, Josh Lay, Leslie Keffer, Magicicada, Mermaids, Mike Shiflet, Noveller, Oblong Box, OP Rechts, Panicsville, Perfect Teeth, Robert Inhuman, Scutopus, Sick Ill Cell, Skullcaster, Small Life, Steve Bradley, Strotter Inst., Subterrane, Sword Heaven, Teeth Collection, Tentatively A Convenience, The Cherry Point, Thurston Moore, Tonight Golden Curles, Travis Ryan, Ultra//Vires, Wether, WZT Hearts and Yellow Tears. Essential!!
VRIL - 'The Observer' CD (Skull Noise Records / Electronics In Koenji)
Spanish act Vril, headed by Paco Rodriguez, makes a lot of deep experimental electronics based Noise with a bitter blend of industrialism and ambient. A great album full of high frequencies sustained on a solid floor of harsh bass. "From everything pure until the most gross form of substance, everything is in vibration". 7 audio documents and an hour of truly analogue high voltage noise. Adorned with amazing artwork by Alonso Urbanos.
