Recycled
[RRRecords]
If this was material from an unknown artist and this was his style, then so be it. The sounds are in the vein of Harsh Electronics with distorted radio signals and some layered textures, which tend to be devoid of effort, lackluster and apathetic. BUT, it is from an artist that has been around for quite some time, and for me, this is absolute garbage! I have heard enough of NPFs work to know that there is passion and thought into his work. I am so confounded by this release, for one, I am not sure why NPF would record such worthless unmemorable work, and two, why a label like RRRecords, would be ok with releasing something of this nature, this makes me question their ethics and taste in what is good and what is harsh. I realize that this isn�t much of a review, but there was nothing worth a fuck to review upon this release to begin with. With past arguments and concerns with RRR and the Bastard Noise material not being harsh enough to release, then how can you justify this? This marks the worst NPF material I have regretibly have ever had to hear.
Praying for Oblivion
The Technology of Mass Extermination
Wilt
Winters Whore
[Hospital Productions]
Disregarded
[Gameboy Records]
Disregarded came about through 4 tracks that were intended for comps and splits that never materialized. The cassette case has been sealed shut with thick stock paper glued around the outside of the case. Inside we find a malay of electronic manipulations appeasing my ears with crazed layers of gritty signals, feedback and crisp shrill tonal damage. There are variations within the tracks so not to get tiresome after a few moments of listening. The 2nd track starts with a minimalist feel, with light tones and sparse activity and clanking, then soon building into lo-fi electronic mayhem, filled with static and pulsating blasts, which carry out for the remainder of the cassette.
The Cease
Dim Mak
Lo-fi signal knob turning. Sonic rumbles make up the foundation for the layers of crackling static and line feedback. Nothing really new or interesting, perhaps decent for background music.
The Cease
Beyond
Though released before the Dim Mak tape, this is well constructed with low rumbles and heavy tones, which in comparison to the later released, is very different. Beyond still runs a bit on the thin sounding side, but has a darker ambient vibe.
Chasing Black Rainbows
Songs of Submisson
A dismal array of sounds emitted from this release. This cassette is filled to capacity with a grim yet captivating feel, giving the impression of hearing something from a dark repressed memory. Lo-fi Power Electronics that doesn�t reach the level of being harsh, which makes this very controlled and unsettling, not to mention the brooding chaos within mixed with an unsatisfactory sense of self. Call this a pre-apocalyptic soundtrack, if you will, for the low distorted blasts and scrapings, continual clipping and the overbearing grimice in the guitar and keyboard manipulations. I would love to hear more from Chasing Black Rainbows and see what time and more upscale releases do for them, the potential is there. Chasing Black Rainbows is simply dark, deranged and beautiful.
Eeyow Karoom
Either there was no info for this or I lost it somewhere but this cassette comes in a silk-screened, drawstring bag. The material displayed on this are completely diverse and well executed. Tracks range from straight up Power Electronics textured with harsh elements, moody beats interlaced with corrosive electronics, even dank grim atmospheres. Everything has a creepy post-industrial vibe injected within the sounds. Dark visions are evoked with deep analog hum, wavering slightly and overcast with a multitude of distant sounds. Quality is a plus making this very enjoyable sonically, everything sounds so crisp and clear.
Fslox | SNMA
Now, here is what I like, a simplistic color coded release. The brown crayon side is SNMA with �nun.� Lo-fi electronic gear manipulation which stays pretty moderate at times, bordering on harsh. Tape whirls, static and vocalizations make up this track, which is extremely short, all of 2 minutes. Now the orange crayon side, we have the female artist FSLOX. �I died last night� is minimalist with rumbles, a sparsely placed yet constant cymbal �ding� with her screaming. �De La Ville� is extremely lo-fi keyboard, backed with FSLOX�s soft and gentle vocals. The final track, �Naruich� consists of repeated clicking and a hollowed tom sound with underlaying static.
Jon Borges
Actions
[Terminus]
I am bombarded with lo-fi chaos induced from uncalculated guitar noise, A.K.A. �Improvised Noise.� The other side is more of the same adding more electronics. Nothing with real depth or diversity.
Jon Borges
Discomfort
[Terminus]
Distant lo-fi guitar scrapings give way to moderately harsh hiss and high end squeals / feedback which are interrupted with sporadic blasts of low end distorted blasts.
Lausaraelon
Bile and Invection
[Gameboy Records]
I must say, image wise, this is very slick for Gameboy. Various hues of blue and green reflect for a claming release, but that is not completely true. This is filled with some serious sounds, heavy low end rumbling mixed with a spacey feel bleeding in. To offset the low end are well placed high end tones and static, giving it an over all dark and experimental release.
Mammal
Lo Fiberoptics
[Drone Recordings]
Mammal explores the possiblities of experimental sounds through primitive lo-fi. The hollow sound gives me the impression that it was recorded in a live aspect at home. Lo-fi keyboard and tonal signals with an occasional slur of static, ends of guitar cable manipulation and samples. There really is not much difference between tracks, there are changes in patterns and tempo, but with the hazy overall sound, it makes it hard to endure. No ballots are really pushed here.
Noumena
Disconnect the Retina
[Last Station on the Railway Tapes]
Like the sounds of a disturbed dream, Noumena creates subdue atmospheres with electronics and guitars combined with slight distortions and grim reverb. Controlled feedback cry out in an almost dreary fashion. �Disconnect the Retine� can be held within the genre of lofi experimental noise. I feel this release stays on task, is very focused and flows very well between the smooth gentle side to the grating aspects. For me, it is always a pleasure to hear Noumenas work.