Bleak Bliss: August 2019

Necro Thirdorgan Trial - Don't Communication Over the Mobile Network

A strange exhortation, but one that's easy enough to obey. I shall not communication over the mobile network! And same goes for you. The name Necro Thirdorgan Trial seems to be one that Akihiro Shimizu/Thirdorgan used for only this one album, though someone called SU is also given writing credit. If you know who that is, please tell us, but not communication over the electronic wifi network. Just send a telegram or something, I guess. Or an owl. I don't know.

Recorded in 2000 and released a year later as a CDR on Shimzu's Alienation label, which was really something while it was around. Alienation issued a pretty wide range of digital noise and other diverse stuff, including a series of terrific compilation CDRs and some albums by ultra-obscure artists.

Necro Thirdorgan Trial - Don't Communication Over the Mobile Network

Various - Tension State Of Collapsing

In the mid 90's there were a couple of tapes compiled by Richard Ramirez and put out on Chaotic Noise Productions in very limited numbers. They showcased the burgeoning harsh noise scene in Houston and Texas in general. So the tapes turned into unachievable iconic milestones and you just had to assume that they were great. But then the perpetual resurrection machine that is Mikko Aspa gave them new life (I'm pretty sure it was all agreed with Mr. R over a lovely cup of Earl Grey ... because that's how things roll in harsh noise circles) and for that we should all be grateful!

Double CD courtesy of Industrial Recollections in 2009.

Tension State Of Collapsing

Laura Maes - Czela

As a format, the business card CDR is one of my very favorites. For starters, biz-card CDRs are adorable. And also, you don't get very much time on them (five minutes?), so it's like one side of a 7" record that you never have to flip over. Belgian artist Laura Maes never recorded very much; just a couple of business-card CDRs (both for MSBR Records), a collaborative track with eco-industrial band Militia on one side of a 7", one track (as Strona Starza) on a compilation, a collaborative album on Cling-Film Records with someone I've never heard of, a few tracks under her own name that appeared on compilations... and that's it! This biz-card CDR came out in 2002. It's taken you longer to read this paragraph than it will to listen to the music.

Laura Maes - Czela

Black Leather Jesus / MSBR - Sonic Destruction

A stellar old-school Black Leather Jesus line-up featuring Richard Ramirez, David Gilden, Herman Lin, Josh Gaudet, Rick Bailey and Ryan Hunt ... and the small matter of Molten Salt Breeder Reactor on the reverse.

It was only in the prep for this post that I realised that Mr R has very recently reissued this as a tape of only 25 copies that has the entire LP on one side followed by everything being reworked by the man himself on the reverse. He has one for sale. In a past life, I would have already bought it but my country is going down the shitter so I'm hunkering down. If you buy that tape on the basis of this ... send me a rip so I can use it as a soundtrack for the pending civil war?

LP released on Deadline Recordings in 1995.

Sonic Destruction

MSBR & Richard Ramirez - Sonic Aggression

Trans-continental collaborative racket from Richard Ramirez and the master, Koji Tano/MSBR. First released on tape in 1994 by both MSBR Records and Ramirez' Deadline Recordings. Reissued as a CDR in 2002 on Denshi Zatsuon.

MSBR & Richard Ramirez - Sonic Aggression

C.C.C.C. - Black Light / Black Heat

The original trio are joined by Ryuichi Nagakubo on bass for this live recording from the Shinjuku Theater Poo (if you've got something to say, share it with the class) in Tokyo on the 25th of January, 1992.

CD released on Collapsar Records in 2009.

Black Light / Black Heat

MSBR - Mental Dissolution

First released as a cassette in 1996, remastered and reissued in 2004 as a CDR on Koji Tano's excellent Denshi Zatuon label.

MSBR - Mental Dissolution

C.C.C.C. - Flash

Whilst it's Mayuko Hino on the cover art (in the seemingly compulsory Japanese rope bondage poses) the line-up isn't clear to me. The cover says "all tracks composed and mixed by Hiroshi Hasegowa". Fumio Kosakai had already left by this point so maybe this release marks the transition into Astro.

CD released on Cold Spring in 1996.

Flash

va - Denzatsu

This is the double disc compilation that came with the 8th issue of Koji Tano/MSBR's Denzatsu magazine in 2004. Interestingly, Tano compiled one disc and the Steinklang Industries label compiled the second. You get music by Af Ursin, Jim O'Rourke, Con-Dom, The New Blockaders, Sightings, Control, Cold Flesh Colony, Wang Changcun, Legion Condor, Painslut, A Challenge of Honour, Stahlwerk 9, Kreiger, Anomoli, Beijing Sound Unit and more.

disc 1
disc 2

C.C.C.C. - Love & Noise

Contender for the "look at what this new graphics package can do. No of course it won't look like a really dated TV Evangelist propaganda piece in a few years time" cover of the year award. Fortunately, the noise is spectacular so you quickly forget about it.

CD released on Endorphine Factory in 1996.

Love & Noise

va - Aenviron One

Obscure compilation 3"CDR on the moribund Aesova label, with six pieces made from field recordings blended into a single 20-minute track. You get two pieces by Frans de Waard and one each by Steve Roden, Howard Stelzer, Alejandra Solinas (of Lucky Kitchen) and Lutz Bauer.

va - Aenviron One

C.C.C.C. - Amplified Crystal

A combination of studio and live material later mixed by Akifumi Nakajima (aka Aube) who also designed the cover art.

LP released on Endorphine Factory in 1992.

Amplified Crystal

C.C.C.C. - Loud Sounds Dopa / Live In U.S.A.

Two live sets from an American tour recorded in October 1992.

CD released on Endorphine Factory in 1993.

Loud Dopa fixed me alright ...

C.C.C.C. - Community Center Cyber Crash / Live In Pittsburgh

Recorded live at Wilkins School Community Center on the 11th of October 1992.

LP jointly released on RRRecords and SSS Productions in 1994.

Community Center Cyber Crash / Live In Pittsburgh

Sewage - Encounter Of The Spooky Kind

Ugly noise by Hiroshi Kazuki/Sewage, released as a CDR by Denshi Zatsuon in 2003.

Sewage - Encounter Of The Spooky Kind

Blackest Ever Black - The Scold's Bridle

A typically diverse selection which includes the likes of Minimal Man, Mount Vernon Arts Lab, NON, Pan Sonic, And Also The Trees, British Electric Foundation and Raime. Quality.

I posted the first three tapes in the Krokodilo series five years ago. In case you weren't here at the time, here's Helena Hauff, Feral Love and Family Sex.

CDr released on Blackest Ever Black in 2010.

The Scold's Bridle

Damion Romero - No Information Available

That title isn't exactly true. Three tracks, the last (and longest) of which was apparently recorded at midnight from the front porch of Romero's home in Los Angeles in 2004. Released as a CDR on Koji Tano's Denshi Zatsuon label.

Damion Romero - No Information Available

Blackest Ever Black - There Is Something Wrong With England

No Shit Sherlock!

C86 released on Krokodilo Tapes in 2013.

There Is Something Wrong With England

C.C.C.C. - Cosmic Coincidence Control Center

I don't know why (and I'm willing to accept that it may only be me) but CCCC don't seem to get the credit showered upon many of their Japanese noise neighbours. Maybe it's a male thing whereby Hiroshi Hasegawa's synth work is seen to not quite match up to the more eviscerating techniques on offer elsewhere. That of course would be complete bollocks. Maybe you don't think that at all. In fact, I have no idea why I've just said it. See you tomorrow.

By the way, this includes the Sonic Machine single-sided tape that nobody has ever seen which is obviously an excellent thing.

CD released on Endorphine Factory in 1992.

Cosmic Coincidence Control Center

Thought Broadcast - Psychomimic

There are parts that remind me of incidental musical inserts from "exotic" black and white films from the 1940s. Then you pass through the space burble continuum into a shiny land populated by Aphexian devotees of Fluke and Autechre. Take me with you ... don't leave me here!

C20 released on Krokodilo Tapes in 2013.

Psychomimic

Nord - Abstract Moon

Here's a case of Nord's longtime fans helping the band get back on its feet. K2 released "Electronic Initiation", then Hiroshi Hasegawa (of CCCC) joined the band, which seems natural since Nord's psychedelic synth noise was clearly an influence on Astro. This album documents a live concert in Yokohama from March 2003. It was released as a CDR by Akihiro Shimizu/Thirdorgan on his Alienation label the same year. So far, it's the most recent Nord material available, though I'm hoping someone will go back and reissue the OOP tapes and maybe remaster/reissue the rest of the early vinyl.

Nord - Abstract Moon

Nord - NG Tapes

Well, I may as well contribute something to the Nord theme.

Originally, this was a tape that came with / was sold with (?) some copies of the LSD LP when it was released in Japan in 1984. So the chances of actually hearing it? Zero.

Apart from the no doubt entirely altruistic efforts of some plucky entrepreneurs who released this bootleg LP on P∴C∴P∴ Records (geddit) in 2014.

NG Tapes

Nord - Electronic Initiation

Nord had already been dormant for a number of years, at least since 1993, when Kimihide Kusafuka/K2 put out this comeback (?) album on his Kinky Music Institute label in 1999. The cover art gets right to the point: this is psychedelic noise, and the line from those old Nord record to Astro & CCCC is clear.

Nord - Electronic Initiation

Gnod - SLT

Sitting within the veins of Chris and Paddy's Gnod (R&D) / Dwellings & Druss than the psychospace juggernaut of more usual proceedings ...

C36 released on Krokodilo Tapes in 2013.

SLT

C.C.C.C. - Early Works

If you were expecting the next chapter in the Mlehst histories then the good news is that the man has been in touch and there is a big reissue plan underway as well as the wave of new releases ... so keep your ears peeled.

So, how about this as a consolation?

The first three discs are live recordings made between 1990 and 1992 featuring the line-up of Hiroshi Hasegawa and Mayuko Hino with Fumio Kosakai. The fourth disc has previously released tracks from the Phantasmagoria tape and the split release with Jalopaz and Alchemy Of The 20th Century.

Four CD set released on Carlos Giffoni's No Fun Productions in 2007.

Early

Works

Gewissen - Robisheaux Reminds Us

Kommissarian birdsong signals the entry into a world of dark medieval electronics.

C94 released on Krokodilo Tapes in 2014.

Robisheaux Reminds Us

Mlehst - The History Of Mlehst - Chapter 3

More excellent archive originally recorded and (largely) released in 1995 and '96.

CDr released on Self Abuse Records in 2005.

Chapter 3

Blackest Ever Black - What I Learned On My Holidays

What I learned on my holidays is the person behind the Blackest Ever Black mixtapes is Kiran Sande, who runs the label. Makes perfect sense once you think about it. Chances are that he is also responsible for the Gewissen and New Private Window projects. Anyway ...

C94 released on Krokodilo Tapes in 2014.

What I Learned On My Holidays

Nina - No Observable Effect Concentration

Brooding drones that build into complex cinematic sculptures. Quite beautiful!

C90 released on Krokodilo Tapes in 2014.

No Observable Effect Concentration

Nord - LSD

Nord were one of the very first Japanese noise bands, starting at the same time as Merzbow, Hijokaidan, K2 and CCCC and yet (like Seed Mouth, Diesel Guitar and Agencement) they don't get a lot of credit. Their self-titled 1981 debut LP was reissued as a double-CD version (still available from the label, Art Into Life), but the rest is long out of print and due for some love. Here's their second record, self-released in 1984 and now going for massive amounts of money from collectors.

Nord - LSD

Mlehst - The History Of Mlehst - Chapter 2

The first track "Fishwife Futurist" takes it's name from a 1994 tape and is around 32 minutes of nightmarish electronic laudanum. How much is taken from that tape (if any) is anybodies guess. Two tracks are from the "Occasional Stimulation / Anal Dentist" tape and one from "A Cold Fuck". The other two, I can't nail to a release from that 94/95 period ... maybe ideas from the time that were floating around. Who knows?

CDr released on Self Abuse Records in 2004.

Chapter 2

va - Mafia vs. Yakuza

Organized crime themed double CDR on Koji Tano's excellent Denshi Zatsuon label from 1999. It came out in two versions: first, the CDRs came out in an edition of 80 copied folded inside some lead. Then, a second edition appeared in a normal paper-and-plastic package. The American disc, by Macronympha/OVMN, has a way-too-long collage of iconic dialogue from mafia movies. Then the Japanese disc has a track each by MSBR and Government Alpha followed by a track by the both of them.

disc 1
disc 2

Brian Not Brian - Holywell Session

This flows from the mind of Brian G. Morrison (co-founder of Going Good). The mix starts of in an understated swoony trance like way and will probably raise thoughts of "so where's the drama?". Well, that comes with time and certainly with repeated listens. It almost disappears from view in order to burrow away and find the pleasure buttons. Then it all starts to make a lot of sense.

C60 released on Krokodilo Tapes in 2014.

Holywell Session

Mlehst - The History Of Mlehst - Chapter 1

I don't know the finer detail but it seems that the Mlehst mission was pretty ruthlessly terminated at the turn of the century. His former label Bandaged Hand Produce faced a similar fate and it seems all of the masters were destroyed in 2001. Luckily for us lot there appears to have been a change of heart around 2005 and he started to record again and continues to go from strength to strength. This was the first of a series of releases that sought to pull together the archive that survived. Ali now operates the Belief Recordings label and (unless I'm ridiculously deluded) has a purchasing page on Discogs.

"The orignal mastertapes for the "Coldness" and "Sickness" cassettes are long-lost like so much of the early recordings. The mixes presented here were done in the winter of 1993 and released by Drahtfunk Prod in early 1994. "The Slappers" was never released. Track 7 was remixed at a later unknown date (possibly 1996/7?). Other unreleased material from 1993 was worked into finished pieces for the "Secret History" CD on Bandaged Hand Produce in 2000."

CDr released on Self Abuse Records in 2004.

Chapter 1

Variations of Sex - Fight, Consume and Die

I hope you like obscure Japanese noise, because that's what I'm posting now. Variations of Sex (a stupid name for a band, eh?) was the project of Koichi Maruyama. He made a handful of albums in the mid-00s and, as far as I know, called it a day. This one came out as a CDR on Dotsmark in 2005.

Variations of Sex - Fight, Consume and Die

Nzetwork Down - 1/1996/1997

Another strange album of electronic noise that I can't tell you anything useful about, other than that someone called Miki Naohiko is behind the unGoogleable band name. As far as I can tell, the Hasikamke label didn't put out anything else and neither did the artist.

Nzetwork Down - 1/1996/1997

Blackest Ever Black - Rat Needs Constant Affirmation

I've always taken these Blackest Ever Black mix-tapes to be a rotation of associated people charged with offering a window into the label's subversive aesthetic rather than a specific individual tasked with sequencing the delights on offer. Pretty smart eh? I mean what kind of middle name is "Ever" anyway ... see, nothing gets past me! The tape you say? Dunno, make your own mind up.

C98 released in Krokodilo Tapes in 2015.

Rat Needs Constant Affirmation

va - Sakura Bomber

I have no information about this Japanese noise cassette. It's not on Discogs. I don't remember when or where I got it. The only bands on the tape that I've heard of are Daruin and NP, and I can't even find information about the rest: Tal-Tal, Chikopido, Nichi-Jo, Helmar, Hyakutorimushi, Nazi, Ko-Zui, Chikopido and Meiouyanma. All I can tell you is that "Sakura Bomber" is a Japanese noise tape from the mid-1990s, probably.

va - Sakura Bomber

Techno Menses / K. Kusafuka - Requiem In The Sun / Re-Musick / Demise Symphonika

A much needed reissue of some of Kimihide Kusafuka's earliest work from 1983-4 full of space-synth semi-martial "pop music".

Double LP released on Vinyl-on-demand ‎in 2014.

Requiem In The Sun / Re-Musick / Demise Symphonika

Gewissen - Alexée Riget

I have no idea who is behind "Gewissen". Whoever it is, I doff my proverbial cap to the person/people who have created this completely absorbing mix of classically inflected world music that still disorientates and surprises. Bravo and all that!

C90 released on Krokodilo Tapes in 2015.

Alexée Riget

Kommissar Hjuler und Frau and The Kommissar Hjuler Allstar Band - Wanderup Indoor Riot

Again, the first side of the tape is a reissue of a 27 copy CDr from whenever that features Kommissar Hjuler, Mama Bär and Sascha Thomsen apparently having a dada pint in a dada pub. The reverse is just utterly fucked in the head aka genuinely brilliant ... a REVELATION style Ivor Cutler for the end of all things. Humanity is fucked anyway so why can't this be the last soundtrack?

C46 released on Green Records And Tapes in 2012.

Wanderup Indoor Riot

Control Unit - Oto Live

I truly love it when this happens!

When I posted the Burn tape, I mentioned that this was one of the releases that i was looking for and one of us sent it to me. As usual, my gain is yours also. Recorded live at the quite legendary Cafe Oto in London on June the 17th, 2012 this is some really brilliant psychedelic guitar feedback noise murk. A share that has genuinely made my month more meaningful.

CDr released on Chocolate Monk in 2012.

Oto Live

va - Contemporary Denshi-Zatsuon Vol. 2

Second compilation in this series from Denshi Zatsuon, this time featuring American and Japanese noise. From the US, we get tracks from Solid Eye (members of LAFMS), Speculum Fight (aka Damion Romero) and inBOIL. The Japanese contributions are from two legendary noise artists, MSBR and Incapacitants.

va - Contemporary Denshi-Zatsuon Vol. 2

Kommissar Hjuler und Frau / Peter Kastner / Kakawaka - Whole Lotta Love

Initially, Side A was self-released as a CDr in an edition of eleven. Luckily, Knox Mitchell was on hand to reissue it on tape so more of us could listen to the Zep "classic" get the kicking it deserves. The reverse sees each have tracks of their own and each one are great. All in all, this is one little gem that slipped under many a radar.

C60 released on Green Records And Tapes in 2012.

Whole Lotta Love

va - Contemporary Denshi-Zatsuon Vol. 1

Compilation of Japanese and Dutch music, released in 2001 on Koji Tano's Denshi Zatsuon label. Includes a track by Goem, then solo tracks by Goem's members Roel Meelkop, Peter Duimelinks and Freiband (aka Frans de Waard). The Japanese contributions are by i.d., Utah Kawasaki & Tetsuro Yasunaga (of Minamo), and Pezica.

va - Contemporary Denshi-Zatsuon Vol. 1

Penile Colonie / Prison Planet - Penile Colonie / Prison Planet

"A double A-side split of paranoid ozploitation from two career criminals…Penile Colonie (sic) is an imagined artifact from early colonial Australia…Prison Planet projects a future in which the whole earth has gone the way of Norfolk Island. Or, in their own words: a series of relics and prophecies from the arse end of the world, for the arse end of humanity."

C46 released on Krokodilo Tapes in 2015.

Penile Colonie / Prison Planet

Basket Case - Untitled

Untitled Michigan basement jazz grime by John Olson (Spykes), Lisa Colwell (The Lake Bottoms, Commune Ills) and Geoff Walker (who was a member of Gravitar), released by Gods of Tundra in 2009.

Basket Case - Untitled

Gen Ken Montgomery & Conrad Schnitzler - GENCON Duets

So, whilst we're on the subject ...

CD released on GD Stereo in 2010.

GENCON Duets

Conrad Schitzler and Gen Ken Montgomery and Mama Baer / Kommissar Hjuler und Frau ‎– GEN CON FLUX

Three of the Gen Con tracks on here are the shorter collaborations from the earlier GENCON Duets release. Not sure why there would be such a direct lift but there is also a 12 minute collaboration that I don't think has appeared elsewhere plus a 12 minute collaboration / obfuscation with Mama herself and a further long-form Kommissar Hjuler und Frau piece. All aboard!

LP released on Psych.KG in 2015.

Gen Con Flux

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