Four tracks that were recorded in 2021. Elise 2 has a distorted synth loop, glitchy synths, drums(!), and later on a keyboard-driven synth. That is a combination I didn't expect, although I'm surprised I didn't hear Masami do this earlier. Sadly, I don't think all of these always mesh well enough. The two title tracks are shifting, glitchy soundscapes, packing many different repetitive sounds, junk, and other synth action. Hina Wave #2 previously appeared on the Mutant Mix ... read more

Two 30-minute-long, violent, thick walls of noise. Something seeps through the noise on Vice Wears Black Hose; the screams of a woman eventually cut through all the rumbling. Such a thing doesn't happen in the second track, Naked Girl Found Dead in the Park, which is fitting considering the title; it's a collaboration with Mania. That doesn't mean the wall doesn't have any noise outbursts on top of the already present rumble, though.

Giallo is present in every aspect of ... read more

Recordings from October 2013, part of which was supposed to be released under the title Merz Bullet. (Apparently the rest is supposed to be released on Aurora Central Records as part of a double album.)
Masami uses the Vermona Kick Lancet here, and you can definitely hear that, as each track has a bouncy drum synth loop running for the entire duration. The noise besides that is all just screeching, swooshing, junk-like sounds and synths. Nothing special, although the beats add something to this ... read more

HNW master The Rita and ambient noise project Wilt join forces together and create something pretty darn good. You're watching a film, right? The person in it is minding their own business, and then BAM! The black-gloved killer has stabbed his victim multiple times in their ears. What you see next is the victim's body moving and walking, and the killer finding more prey and slitting their throats. It all ends with death.

Vital 1983-89 is THE compilation if you want to check out Jun Konagaya's Grim (the 80s run, to be specific). It contains Vital 1983-86 (a compilation of various live and studio material), the Amaterasu 7", the Folk Music LP, the Message 12", and compilation tracks.

Power electronics with a bit of noise, some folk and industrial, and those beautifully warped distorted vocals on top. Unless we're talking about Message—that one's folk all the way.

One of the boxes that was included in the download for Les Rallizes Dénudés Live Archive (1973-1993 (?)), and while I'm grateful it's preserved, I despise this one even if it's somewhat enjoyable and listenable, for the reasons below.

The first and last three discs are a good example; they go like this: Studio & Live 1976-1984, Live 1976-1987, Live & Studio 1977-1981, and the last three discs on here contain the entirety of CITTA' '93, with an ... read more

BONUS DISC ONLY!
天鵞絨の鳥 (Velvet Bird) was included with the ecobag version of 13 Japanese Birds. A big difference from the series itself is that there's no drumming on this disc at all. Plenty of synth droning and swooshing; throw in some junk and other synths also. I must say it's pretty nice for what it is. I can't say if it would've been better with drums, though.

Another Merzbow and Balász Pándi live album. Masami's noise is just screeching static for the most part and nothing really special, and Pándi's drumming is alright. Nothing exactly special, with a cool moment here and there; at least they switch things up!

There's a psychedelic edge to New Takamagahara, but it just doesn't have something that other albums like Hybrid Noisebloom have. It has some good textures; however, it's lacking a bit in density. It takes a slower approach/is more stretched out, which makes it slightly different than other records, but I feel like it also works to the detriment of the album. Cool sounds here and there; it just could be doing more. Still a nice listen, though.

When it comes to the first part, lots of static, with the occasional junk sound or synth—nothing really memorable. The second part is better, as instead of blasting droning static at you, it opts for oscillating synths and clanging; it sounds like something actually happens on this track. Just another Merzbow album.

The two-day live performance Climax Together that was held at Yokohama Arena on September 10th and 11th, 1992, is presented here in its full glory (unlike the original VHS release). I feel like this shines a different light on all of the tracks played here (in varying degrees); every song here is just a joy to listen to (even the ones from Sexual XXXXX!). The two days, while they have similar track lists, are different enough to keep things fresh.
A perfect mix of gothic, horny, alternative, ... read more

Total Slitting of Throats doesn't change much in its runtime of 1 hour and 6 minutes, but it does provide plenty of different layers of static you can cut into. You might think that 5 people working on an HNW release is pointless, but you can certainly feel their involvement here even though you can't tell who's doing what. The album would be very different if only one person worked on it. Slice and dice your way through this wall, and get lost in it.

Did I say Obey was absolute filth? Well, this is (in a certain way) even filthier. It's still edgy, but the vocals don't sound as goofy as on later releases; it sounds like Peter is putting in more effort here (the screaming comes from other members, though). The guitars are just nasty, distorted killers. There's lots of variety in terms of topics, sound, and noise/recording quality on here—not surprising since this compiles tracks made between 1986 and 1994. It is very ... read more

Mid-90s Merzbow, but a little stripped back. Lots of repetitive, flickering synths, which provide some decent textures—sadly, a lot of this album is just alright, and I think you can figure out why from the first part of this sentence. The untitled tracks here are the best ones in my opinion, as they're quite dynamic and provide some nice ear-assaulting. The bonus track where Masami abuses King Crimson's Great Deceiver is pretty cool too.

Mikawa and Kosakai prove they can still make something worthwhile, even 34 years after they started playing together.

I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed that Incapacitants released an album yesterday. Achilles Tendon Rupture features heavily processed live performances at Forestlimit and Bushbash by Mikawa. It's obviously much different than old Incapacitants; the walls of sound here are much more colorful and dynamic. The three-parter Against Discordianism, I can still call it a ... read more

Synths are used quite extensively on Pinkream, but it isn't as special as some other synth-heavy Merzbow releases like Magnesia Nova (recorded the same year) or Hybrid Noisebloom (made a few years later). Still a good listen, though—I just wish these textures and stuff were better.

Tokyo Blue Sky I and II see Masami making a collage out of field recordings of his neighborhood during construction and various ritual records. On the first one, you'll mostly hear metallic clanging, hammering, cars driving, and conversations; on the second one, noise and drumming enter the mix.

The four-parter 1992+1995 seems to be another collage, as plenty of different things like tape loops, metallic sounds, organs, and other noise makers appear. It's like a mix between 80s ... read more

Footwork spawns some pretty killer tunes. Make it extra fucking loud and you get this banger of an ear assault. Nothing like distorted bass actively destroying your ears and causing your house to collapse!

More than just Ambient Noise Wall. Besides the low rumbles, pretty droning synths and sometimes other sounds (like birds on track 1) show up on Levegő. Really pleasant ambiance; this probably is one of the more accessible noise albums, especially when it comes to wall noise.

Masami's first solo album under his own name. The Prosperity of Vice, the Misfortune of Virtue contains 18 tracks that are shorter than usual when it comes to Merzbow; each one sticks to an idea and just runs with it for the entire duration. The variety is a good thing, as these tracks range from sound collages and minimal tracks to more straightforward noise, but I feel like the album suffers from this idea sticking, because the tracks are just okay: some could've been longer and had ... read more