Its about 10:30pm and I have to get up at 3:00am for work tomorrow and I decided not to do a "end of a year" list, but to make a "bands I'm looking forward to hearing more from" list instead.
In no order whatsoever:
Awen
Belong
Black Marble
Croatian Amor
Epee Du Bois
Frank (Just Frank)
The Frozen Autumn
Innergaze
Irrelevant
Jessie Ware
Keluar
Lorenzo Abattoir
Lust For Youth (if you go back to Breaking Silence/Chasing the Light)
Nihilarch
Ortrotasce
The Present Moment
((Pressures))
Prurient
Riff Raff
She Past Away
Soren
Taramis
Tollund Men
Trust
Vanessa Amara
Age Coin
Bedr00m Eyes
Black Leather Jesus
Boris
Boy Friend
Consumer Electronics
Contraktor
Deep Pill
Devin The Dude
Flesh Vomit
The Flesh, Full Of Black Sand
Force Publique Congo
Garbage Mask
Granite Mask
The Hague (please!)
IRM
Jason Crumer
Jock Club
La Misma
Lace & Collar
Mushy
NASA Space Universe
Nocturnal Poisoning
Portal
Pure Ground
Rome
Rose Alliance
RU-486
Sad Boys
Sete Star Sept
Sewn Leather
Streicher
Sun Kil Moon
Sunn O)))
Tanner Garza
//Tense// (back back to texas!)
Tobias Burnstrup
Torturing Nurse
Trae THA Truth
Violet Poison
Virgin Blood
Waves Crashing Piano Chords
Xenophobic Ejaculation
Z-Ro
Sorry if I left anything out.
What I want see less of:
1. Power Electronics with effects on vocals. I want to hear what you have to say. Until then, you're just another harsh noise project to me.
2. Projects being offensive for the sake of being offensive. If you're angry, let the world know why. The world sucks and I want to hear your perspective. Please.
3. People being PC with experimental music. If something offends you with what is coming into your ears, take comfort in the awareness of the subject material. Don't be scared/biased to listen to anything. People are racist. Rape is a real thing. Women are treated like shit. Everyone is a cash slave. You're going to die and there is nothing on the other side. Get over it or change it by speaking out.
3. Less opportunists. Everyone who knows me has probably received a "Thanks for the add. Whats up?" phrase from me one way or another. I want to get to know you and maybe exchange ideas with you. I don't want to split with you. That is if you're willing to be a real person and get to know me.
4. Less clicks and less beef. This isn't high school (unless you're in it then I apologize) or this isn't a Eazy E record (so much beef on his 2nd and 3rd records). Cut the shit, flush the toilet, and lets all get along.
With that being said, I am intrigued how next year will turn out.
With me, there are numerous releases coming out with both projects, no confirmed shows, will start working on Dumpster City 2, and may even be starting my own solo label.
More importantly, I am currently looking for a better job so that I can finally catch up on my life being a grown ass man and being a better person/father to my daughter (miss you).
Take warmth in these words and look forward to more reviews next year.
Josh
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Monday, December 15, 2014
Purity Ball - Rope Of Flesh
For those who did not make it to Houston's annual Eyes Behind the Wall Fest, chances are you missed out on a ton of new and old static artists who played 10 minute sets of almost unchanging wall noise. Not only did everyone have completely different setups and different ways of making HNW, but everyone had their own compositions that separated from others, which was my immediate concern (everyone sounding the same).
Anyway, before the fest came to a close, I was handed his new tape by the very nice man named J. Tallis (A Young Innocent Throat Cutter) and we exchanged kind words and ended up doing a trade. The tape was actually the only one I was interested in receiving that night so it was much more rewarding to be handed one!
Purity Ball - Rope Of Flesh (Dead Audio Tapes) has a very minimal cover which shows a woman screaming in pain. I wonder where the picture originated from. There is an inner flap with credits that show all of the song titles and what not while completely covering a white cassette tape with the labels "1" and "2" differentiating the sides.
Side A starts with a woman crying that seems to have come from an old horror film. That is until a man says "Hannah~" and the woman screams and the wall of sound begins and is also the first track name of this side. This project's compositions from the start are marginally different from others. The static is not only low, but Tallis goes with a much more hollow sound than a thick bass-laden one. This has the sound of a deep struggle for sure. The texture changes are not patient at all and it keeps the listener involved with what is coming out of the speakers until the track comes to an abrupt end.
More hollow wall sinks in to what appears to be track two of this installment, "In the Basement". This has a lot more high-pitched frequencies than the first track and sounds exactly like an empty basement with noise would sound. Sounds from the acoustics in the room bouncing back and forth and creating its own sound. To me that is the beauty of wall noise.
"Asphalt Bride" drops in with more bassy wall noise and in an almost slow paced pitch. This reminds me of driving alone with no radio on and all you can hear is the low hiss of the tread of tired riding on pavement for a long drive to somewhere when I would drive long distances to work construction.
Side B starts the listener off with "Witness" which begins with a brief sound clip and some super minimal static. This is very low and murky, but almost brittle. I an digging this fragile crackle.
"VVV" is the next track and the textures give off a field recording vibe and, again, a wall of sound much different that the tracks before.
"The Preacher's Knives" is a very atmospheric track to say anything. I had to crank the volume up and let the airy vibe fill the room. This track comes off very intimate for me. Perhaps it is due to me listening to this tape alone.
The final track "Gutter Life" comes out like a haunting sound coming from something like a wind tunnel and you're all alone and you feel like you're being followed. Definitely one of the more stress-inducing tracks.
Honestly, HNW doesn't appeal to me much. Before you diehards crucify me, I say this only because HNW is the most common submission i receive in my mailbox (at one point was two packages a day) and I am seriously burned out on it and with everything sounding the same, the piles and piles of submissions are still awaiting to be reviewed.
Fortunately for this tape and the wall fest, I feel completely revitalized by this genre and am excited to delve back into static experimentation.
Thanks Mr. Tallis. This is easily the best wall release I own.
I recommend this to anyone into wall noise or experimentation.
The only site I can think of that would have this would either be www.deadaudiotapes.blogspot.com or maybe discogs.
Anyway, before the fest came to a close, I was handed his new tape by the very nice man named J. Tallis (A Young Innocent Throat Cutter) and we exchanged kind words and ended up doing a trade. The tape was actually the only one I was interested in receiving that night so it was much more rewarding to be handed one!
Purity Ball - Rope Of Flesh (Dead Audio Tapes) has a very minimal cover which shows a woman screaming in pain. I wonder where the picture originated from. There is an inner flap with credits that show all of the song titles and what not while completely covering a white cassette tape with the labels "1" and "2" differentiating the sides.
Side A starts with a woman crying that seems to have come from an old horror film. That is until a man says "Hannah~" and the woman screams and the wall of sound begins and is also the first track name of this side. This project's compositions from the start are marginally different from others. The static is not only low, but Tallis goes with a much more hollow sound than a thick bass-laden one. This has the sound of a deep struggle for sure. The texture changes are not patient at all and it keeps the listener involved with what is coming out of the speakers until the track comes to an abrupt end.
More hollow wall sinks in to what appears to be track two of this installment, "In the Basement". This has a lot more high-pitched frequencies than the first track and sounds exactly like an empty basement with noise would sound. Sounds from the acoustics in the room bouncing back and forth and creating its own sound. To me that is the beauty of wall noise.
"Asphalt Bride" drops in with more bassy wall noise and in an almost slow paced pitch. This reminds me of driving alone with no radio on and all you can hear is the low hiss of the tread of tired riding on pavement for a long drive to somewhere when I would drive long distances to work construction.
Side B starts the listener off with "Witness" which begins with a brief sound clip and some super minimal static. This is very low and murky, but almost brittle. I an digging this fragile crackle.
"VVV" is the next track and the textures give off a field recording vibe and, again, a wall of sound much different that the tracks before.
"The Preacher's Knives" is a very atmospheric track to say anything. I had to crank the volume up and let the airy vibe fill the room. This track comes off very intimate for me. Perhaps it is due to me listening to this tape alone.
The final track "Gutter Life" comes out like a haunting sound coming from something like a wind tunnel and you're all alone and you feel like you're being followed. Definitely one of the more stress-inducing tracks.
Honestly, HNW doesn't appeal to me much. Before you diehards crucify me, I say this only because HNW is the most common submission i receive in my mailbox (at one point was two packages a day) and I am seriously burned out on it and with everything sounding the same, the piles and piles of submissions are still awaiting to be reviewed.
Fortunately for this tape and the wall fest, I feel completely revitalized by this genre and am excited to delve back into static experimentation.
Thanks Mr. Tallis. This is easily the best wall release I own.
I recommend this to anyone into wall noise or experimentation.
The only site I can think of that would have this would either be www.deadaudiotapes.blogspot.com or maybe discogs.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Infirmary / Willowbrook split
I received this tape though a label trade (very beneficial if youre looking for new artists to release/stay away from) from owner of the Crud Archives label, who has been putting some intense midwest noise out this year.
I've worked with Willowbrook, but have no clue who Infirmary is so this will be an interesting review.
The artwork is very collage-y? And stripped down to black and white (49/50) that hides the all black tape.
Infirmary is on side A and its track is entitled "Makes Me Sick". The tape takes a while to begin and as I assume its blank (you'd be surprised how often that happens), the burst of static surprises me and brings me back to earth.
Im hearing a lot of conflicting textures in almost a sheet metal/trash noise sense, but almost rythmatic (may be the tape or the way it was dubbed...who knows with tapes). Its not taking much to show this is a blatant harsh noise project that sounds very crisp with static compositions and is almost refreshing. This side of the split has done its job (making me curious for more material).
Side B is Willowbrook and his track is called "Nothing Can Live Here". For those who have not listened to this project yet, this entails super thick static walls. Its nice to have something from this project. If one listens carefully, you can hear super slight changes in the static, but that is only because I'm listening with the intent to listen. Normally, wall noise will be background sounds for me. If you're into some wall with a nice story to the name of it, check him out.
The tape suited both needs for a slit. 1. Listening to some new project and 2. Emphasizing an interest for a project I know.
This tape deserved to be the first in the Crud Archives catalog and it will only grow from there.
Also, be on the lookout for the Funeral Parlor // Contraktor split next year through the same label.
This and all other C.A. tapes are available and in stock at www.crudarchives.storenvy.com.
I've worked with Willowbrook, but have no clue who Infirmary is so this will be an interesting review.
The artwork is very collage-y? And stripped down to black and white (49/50) that hides the all black tape.
Infirmary is on side A and its track is entitled "Makes Me Sick". The tape takes a while to begin and as I assume its blank (you'd be surprised how often that happens), the burst of static surprises me and brings me back to earth.
Im hearing a lot of conflicting textures in almost a sheet metal/trash noise sense, but almost rythmatic (may be the tape or the way it was dubbed...who knows with tapes). Its not taking much to show this is a blatant harsh noise project that sounds very crisp with static compositions and is almost refreshing. This side of the split has done its job (making me curious for more material).
Side B is Willowbrook and his track is called "Nothing Can Live Here". For those who have not listened to this project yet, this entails super thick static walls. Its nice to have something from this project. If one listens carefully, you can hear super slight changes in the static, but that is only because I'm listening with the intent to listen. Normally, wall noise will be background sounds for me. If you're into some wall with a nice story to the name of it, check him out.
The tape suited both needs for a slit. 1. Listening to some new project and 2. Emphasizing an interest for a project I know.
This tape deserved to be the first in the Crud Archives catalog and it will only grow from there.
Also, be on the lookout for the Funeral Parlor // Contraktor split next year through the same label.
This and all other C.A. tapes are available and in stock at www.crudarchives.storenvy.com.
Bast - Align
Since reviewing Vanessa's Phoenix Diamond, and receiving this through trade via Vulnavia Edition's label owner Joseph Gates (Black Leather Jesus/Reptillian Sexual Predator/Vargrwulf), I was greatly excited and intrigued what Bast would sound like even though I have seen her perform live as this project.
The cover looks like some off-color temple with ancient artwork along the flap that wraps around a clear cassette and looks like will be a c60.
Side A begins with a moderate amount if noisy field recordings. The sounds come off as very busy and almost gives off and industrial/factory like vibe. Even so, the sounds come off very ambient and find myself closing my eyes. The field recordings fade out while the almost saturated static fades in and out equally taking turns. All the sounds eventually become one wall of sound that would go perfectly with an old grainy silent film until this side is finished.
Side B seems to pick up where side A left off with the wall of sound until the side ends.
I like this tape in particular due to the sound accentuating the artwork perfectly. I am also a fan of noise on the softer side if that makes sense.
Vanessa puts out a lot of great material exclusively through Vulnavia Editions. Samples can be heard at www.inhumanignorance.blogspot.com.
The cover looks like some off-color temple with ancient artwork along the flap that wraps around a clear cassette and looks like will be a c60.
Side A begins with a moderate amount if noisy field recordings. The sounds come off as very busy and almost gives off and industrial/factory like vibe. Even so, the sounds come off very ambient and find myself closing my eyes. The field recordings fade out while the almost saturated static fades in and out equally taking turns. All the sounds eventually become one wall of sound that would go perfectly with an old grainy silent film until this side is finished.
Side B seems to pick up where side A left off with the wall of sound until the side ends.
I like this tape in particular due to the sound accentuating the artwork perfectly. I am also a fan of noise on the softer side if that makes sense.
Vanessa puts out a lot of great material exclusively through Vulnavia Editions. Samples can be heard at www.inhumanignorance.blogspot.com.
Trash Sceptre
I received this copy along with many others in september and remember enjoying this a lot so I decided to review this tape.
Tom Tindall's (Aqua Eroticum) harsh noise project Trash Sceptre is gross sounding as well as looking. On a gray shell wrapped in a jcard with a pregnant woman smoking on the cover (5/50).
Side A starts off with "Pregnant Teen" which seems to accentuate the artwork well. Then "White Trash" along with "Methamphetamine And Heroine" finishing off side A. This side pops in and out as if it were cut up into bits and pasted all over the place. This is complete garbage and I say that as a compliment and as far as I know is void of vocals. Its hard to decipher which track is from the next, but unless its in mp3 format, that doesn't really matter to me.
Side B starts choppy and abruptly with the only track on this side entitled, "Waiting For The Bus". Shortly afterward, bursts of filth run over you like a bus or a lack of better words. There is a ton of experimentation and pedal play with the apparent sounds coming out of my tape player.
If there is anything bad about this tape, it would be considered a good thing. This tape is a real good personification of the midwest I grew up in (Farmington, MO) and I actually like this than Tom's more known stuff. It goes to show that even filth can have structure or craft.
Also, happy to announce this project will be included in next years Dumpster City compilation.
This can be found on the Crud Archives bandcamp at www.crudarchives.bandcamp.com
Tom Tindall's (Aqua Eroticum) harsh noise project Trash Sceptre is gross sounding as well as looking. On a gray shell wrapped in a jcard with a pregnant woman smoking on the cover (5/50).
Side A starts off with "Pregnant Teen" which seems to accentuate the artwork well. Then "White Trash" along with "Methamphetamine And Heroine" finishing off side A. This side pops in and out as if it were cut up into bits and pasted all over the place. This is complete garbage and I say that as a compliment and as far as I know is void of vocals. Its hard to decipher which track is from the next, but unless its in mp3 format, that doesn't really matter to me.
Side B starts choppy and abruptly with the only track on this side entitled, "Waiting For The Bus". Shortly afterward, bursts of filth run over you like a bus or a lack of better words. There is a ton of experimentation and pedal play with the apparent sounds coming out of my tape player.
If there is anything bad about this tape, it would be considered a good thing. This tape is a real good personification of the midwest I grew up in (Farmington, MO) and I actually like this than Tom's more known stuff. It goes to show that even filth can have structure or craft.
Also, happy to announce this project will be included in next years Dumpster City compilation.
This can be found on the Crud Archives bandcamp at www.crudarchives.bandcamp.com
Friday, December 12, 2014
Foul / She Walks Crooked split
I enjoy splits. With these, a listener can check out a new project along with a familiar or perhaps two new projects at once. I personally prefer two different sounding projects on splits, but sometimes two of the same works as well.
I received this split from from the owner of Unlimited Drift at a local show. Unfortunately, my first copy was blank and now that I have a dubbed copy (kindly from the same man), I will finally knock this cassette out.
The packaging is a red tape encased in a plastic bag that closes with colored tape. I enjoy the artwork of the girl on the cover who is obviously deep in thought or somewhat concerned.
Side is begins with Foul with the track "Cement". Such a fitting title for a wall project. The wall bursts into the listener's ears and will get the feeling of being pinned (this is at full blast volume by the way). This track is interesting because I can hear some faint high pitched static but does not overpower the actual wall that some projects succumb to. I look forward to hearing more from this project.
Side B is Oregon-based She Walks Crooked with the track called, "Breaking Hours Out Of Change". Its great hearing more of this project and delivers exactly what you would expect and that is great wall. This is a rather interesting track honestly and has a lot going on with it. It sounds like the wall was made with field recordings with massive distortion. Maybe Im just hearing things, but there is a definite structure even though the genre literally brags on "lack of structure". The track ends abruptly and the tape leaves me hungry for more.
Short wall noise tapes are perfect to take it the entire time and even better that its a split. A perfect way for artists to market themselves to more people with the notorious limited runs noise labels tend to do.
If you're feeling some great wall noise, dabble in this if its still available. Buy from the respective artists or go straight to the source at www.unlimiteddrift.blogspot.com
Also, with Black Friday and the holidays closing in, please buy music from starving artists/labels. Tapes make great stocking gifts and are low in price. Maybe even an experimental secret santa is in order!
Maybe next year...
I received this split from from the owner of Unlimited Drift at a local show. Unfortunately, my first copy was blank and now that I have a dubbed copy (kindly from the same man), I will finally knock this cassette out.
The packaging is a red tape encased in a plastic bag that closes with colored tape. I enjoy the artwork of the girl on the cover who is obviously deep in thought or somewhat concerned.
Side is begins with Foul with the track "Cement". Such a fitting title for a wall project. The wall bursts into the listener's ears and will get the feeling of being pinned (this is at full blast volume by the way). This track is interesting because I can hear some faint high pitched static but does not overpower the actual wall that some projects succumb to. I look forward to hearing more from this project.
Side B is Oregon-based She Walks Crooked with the track called, "Breaking Hours Out Of Change". Its great hearing more of this project and delivers exactly what you would expect and that is great wall. This is a rather interesting track honestly and has a lot going on with it. It sounds like the wall was made with field recordings with massive distortion. Maybe Im just hearing things, but there is a definite structure even though the genre literally brags on "lack of structure". The track ends abruptly and the tape leaves me hungry for more.
Short wall noise tapes are perfect to take it the entire time and even better that its a split. A perfect way for artists to market themselves to more people with the notorious limited runs noise labels tend to do.
If you're feeling some great wall noise, dabble in this if its still available. Buy from the respective artists or go straight to the source at www.unlimiteddrift.blogspot.com
Also, with Black Friday and the holidays closing in, please buy music from starving artists/labels. Tapes make great stocking gifts and are low in price. Maybe even an experimental secret santa is in order!
Maybe next year...
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Within
I have been meaning to review this tape for a long time. Midwest wall noise project Within is wall static incarnate. I remember hearing this for the first time driving to Houston while raining and really wanted to get a physical copy. I finally nabbed a copy from Jeff (Distorted Visions/Fecal Dam/Within) while on his Occult Perversions tour.
The physical release has side A of the clear cassette spray-painted a cloudy white that looks pretty damn cool. The tape is encased in a black norelco case with a jcard with art looking something like the inside of a church.
Side A (Damned By the Living) is exactly what you would expect. Complete static. While staying true to its texture the entire way of the track and not coming off weak or brittle like a lot of acts can do. This track lacks any sort if beef or bass, which is refreshing as I don't want to be pummeled to death for an hour of wall (well not on tapes at least). The static may be loud, but you can often forget what you're listening to and not in a negative way.
Side B (As I Seal My Tomb) is a much more beefy track. The track almost sounds like the previous one, but with perhaps more mids and lows or just more layers. Aside from that, you got much more static and a ton on both sides.
This tape is great while doing something else. Sitting here reviewing this to has been almost painful, but has been one of my favorite wall noise releases I have received this year (believe me...this is the most common sub genre I get in the mail).
Google "Distorted Visions" for more info on this tape and others, but I am pretty sure this tape is out of print.
Sorry guys.
The physical release has side A of the clear cassette spray-painted a cloudy white that looks pretty damn cool. The tape is encased in a black norelco case with a jcard with art looking something like the inside of a church.
Side A (Damned By the Living) is exactly what you would expect. Complete static. While staying true to its texture the entire way of the track and not coming off weak or brittle like a lot of acts can do. This track lacks any sort if beef or bass, which is refreshing as I don't want to be pummeled to death for an hour of wall (well not on tapes at least). The static may be loud, but you can often forget what you're listening to and not in a negative way.
Side B (As I Seal My Tomb) is a much more beefy track. The track almost sounds like the previous one, but with perhaps more mids and lows or just more layers. Aside from that, you got much more static and a ton on both sides.
This tape is great while doing something else. Sitting here reviewing this to has been almost painful, but has been one of my favorite wall noise releases I have received this year (believe me...this is the most common sub genre I get in the mail).
Google "Distorted Visions" for more info on this tape and others, but I am pretty sure this tape is out of print.
Sorry guys.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Achromaticist - Expanses
I know nothing of this project. The story goes is I posted my blog on a social network and was contacted by the guy asking if a flash drive would be considered a physical release. I said yes as I could physically hold the music in my hands. If you think about it, its basically just like a cdr.
We lost contact for a while and I had given him my old address (parents house) and since I needed to come back and pick up some clothes/records, I found the package with this item.
The flash drive itself is metal with a lot of scratches and was very cold since there is no heater in the room I am forcing myself to sleep in. Popping this drive into my disc drive-less laptop, it shows 5 long tracks.
The first track of this project is called "Expanse I" and is by far the longest track I have listened to in a long time spanning at an hour and 38 minutes. Right off the bat, this track is very hollow and airy. Im getting an ambient vibe big time and even some drone as the changes (so far) at little to none. A subtle deepening changes occurs around the 6 minute mark, which fades in an out of obscurity. Some severe and daunting synths come in around the 13 minute mark and the indifferent nothingness grows. At the 27 minute mark, the track almost becomes overwhelming. Its like looking at the stars and feeling extremely useless. At the 40 minute mark, there are so super windy atmospheres playing into the black hole of a mix. At the hour mark, the track dies down dramatically.
I have unfortunately misplaced the flash drive to complete the review, but I believe this will be more than enough to give a passerby a hint of what this massive project is like.
Again, I will review any format mailed to me in my first post.
For more of this project, go here: http://achromaticist.bandcamp.com
We lost contact for a while and I had given him my old address (parents house) and since I needed to come back and pick up some clothes/records, I found the package with this item.
The flash drive itself is metal with a lot of scratches and was very cold since there is no heater in the room I am forcing myself to sleep in. Popping this drive into my disc drive-less laptop, it shows 5 long tracks.
The first track of this project is called "Expanse I" and is by far the longest track I have listened to in a long time spanning at an hour and 38 minutes. Right off the bat, this track is very hollow and airy. Im getting an ambient vibe big time and even some drone as the changes (so far) at little to none. A subtle deepening changes occurs around the 6 minute mark, which fades in an out of obscurity. Some severe and daunting synths come in around the 13 minute mark and the indifferent nothingness grows. At the 27 minute mark, the track almost becomes overwhelming. Its like looking at the stars and feeling extremely useless. At the 40 minute mark, there are so super windy atmospheres playing into the black hole of a mix. At the hour mark, the track dies down dramatically.
I have unfortunately misplaced the flash drive to complete the review, but I believe this will be more than enough to give a passerby a hint of what this massive project is like.
Again, I will review any format mailed to me in my first post.
For more of this project, go here: http://achromaticist.bandcamp.com
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