It's said that all good things must come to an end & Geräuschkrieg is no exception. After much thought I've decided to end this blog and move on to other projects. It's been a rad two and a half years, but I feel it's time for something new. Thanks to the many awesome bands and labels that liked my writing enough to send me free albums to review, that was incredible of you guys. Thanks also to you, the readers.
- Geräuschkrieg Zine
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
#50
Bruce Langhorne – The Hired Hand
lp
I was really drunk when I bought this, which explains why I'd buy the score to a movie I've never seen, nor even heard of. I guess having not watched the flick, it allows me to approach the music without the bias of the visual connection. Anyhow, the first few listens, the sparse guitar, banjo, and sitar melodies didn't really click with me. I thought they sounded nice and all, but not really worthy of being reissued on vinyl. However, as I've played it more, I've begun to appreciate Langhirne's soundtrack increasingly. The dreamy, minimalistic, americana tunes are accented with just the faintest hint of 60's psychedelic vibe that really makes the works stand out. Not the thing for everyone, in fact, probably not the thing for most. But, for a discerning few, you'll love this.
Scissor Tail Editions
This three way split kicks off with 9 tracks of non-music from Crank Sturgeon. Harsh noise, static pulsations, and looped vocalizations (think gargling and vomit sounds) are all patched together into what resembles a 3rd rate rendition of Collapsed Arch. RedSK follows with 9 tracks of rumbling, piercing noise, that has the slightest drone influence. Noise isn't my deal these days, so it didn't do anything for me. Finally there's a rambling spoken word track by Jason “EVIL” Covelli debating weather he needs anger management or therapy. Consisting of constant threats of physical violence, endless profanity, and claims of how he's smarter than everyone around him, it's one of the most annoying, pointless things I've listened to. An all around yawn fest.
TRASHFUCK Records
Smell The Stench
Smell The Stench
I was really drunk when I bought this, which explains why I'd buy the score to a movie I've never seen, nor even heard of. I guess having not watched the flick, it allows me to approach the music without the bias of the visual connection. Anyhow, the first few listens, the sparse guitar, banjo, and sitar melodies didn't really click with me. I thought they sounded nice and all, but not really worthy of being reissued on vinyl. However, as I've played it more, I've begun to appreciate Langhirne's soundtrack increasingly. The dreamy, minimalistic, americana tunes are accented with just the faintest hint of 60's psychedelic vibe that really makes the works stand out. Not the thing for everyone, in fact, probably not the thing for most. But, for a discerning few, you'll love this.
Scissor Tail Editions
Crank Sturgeon/RedSk/Jason “EVIL”
Covelli – split cd-r
This three way split kicks off with 9 tracks of non-music from Crank Sturgeon. Harsh noise, static pulsations, and looped vocalizations (think gargling and vomit sounds) are all patched together into what resembles a 3rd rate rendition of Collapsed Arch. RedSK follows with 9 tracks of rumbling, piercing noise, that has the slightest drone influence. Noise isn't my deal these days, so it didn't do anything for me. Finally there's a rambling spoken word track by Jason “EVIL” Covelli debating weather he needs anger management or therapy. Consisting of constant threats of physical violence, endless profanity, and claims of how he's smarter than everyone around him, it's one of the most annoying, pointless things I've listened to. An all around yawn fest.
TRASHFUCK Records
Kutomo – Valon Kuolema cd-r
Simply put, Valon Kuolema is pure
sonic bliss. The kind of album my words won't do justice, because the
music Kutomo composes defies attempts at categorization. Elements of
ambient, folk, experimental, and psychedelic are seamlessly blended
together to produce a sound that's unique to the artist. It's celestial
waves of audio excellence rolling over you. Fucking rad, with out a
doubt. It's limited, so better get your copy quick.
Oblitus Memorias – As One, We Will Be
With the Stars cd-r
Billed as “melancholic black metal,”
in reality, Oblitus Memorias is just another ambient group attempting
to create dark soundscapes. The style on As One, We Will Be With the
Stars is rather simplistic; one high pitched, warble-y, electronic
note at a time. It sounds like the soundtrack you'd hear in
some b-grade, Euro horror flick from the 70's. You get the feeling
Oblitus Memorias is trying to produce a mysterious, spooky ambiance,
but it falls short. Not a terrible release, just kinda meh.
Petrified – Same 2012 cd-r
An unusual experimental work here mixing dark ambient synthscapes, medieval-ish percussion loops, and distorted, ritualistic spoken vocals. Wish I spoke French so I knew what the dude was chanting. While there's only three tracks over 10 minutes, Petrified manages to craft a highly foreboding and eerie atmosphere with Same 2012. Hopefully this isn't a one off project and we'll hear some more from the one man act. Release is limited to 40, so you better get on this while you can.
An unusual experimental work here mixing dark ambient synthscapes, medieval-ish percussion loops, and distorted, ritualistic spoken vocals. Wish I spoke French so I knew what the dude was chanting. While there's only three tracks over 10 minutes, Petrified manages to craft a highly foreboding and eerie atmosphere with Same 2012. Hopefully this isn't a one off project and we'll hear some more from the one man act. Release is limited to 40, so you better get on this while you can.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
#49
Coyotes In the Room – Uppers &
Downers c57
TRASHFUCK Records
Having some members of Bad Creeps, I'd
figured Coyotes In the Room would have a similar sort of sound. NOPE.
Uppers & Downers is a collection of 24 short tracks of mellow
garage rock with hints of folk and psych. At first I was kind of
nonplussed with this, but I think that's 'cause I went in expecting
something completely different. The more I've listened to this, the
more I'm digging it. Relaxed tunes that won't harsh your buzz. Check
it out.
Tent Revivalist Tapes
Tent Revivalist Tapes
In Excelsis – Castrum Tigernum cd-r
Niiiice. With over an hour of instrumental, medieval, Western European folk
music, you know I'm liking Castrum Tigernum. This isn't any corny,
Renaissance Fair guy playing a fife type stuff. There's a mysterious
feel to In Excelsisis' music and the drumming gives some of the
songs an interesting militaristic edge. Rad stuff.
Smell The Stench
Smell The Stench
Kheta Hotem – Live at Yläkaupungin
yö 2011 c60
Generally I tend to avoid live
releases, but I've been itching to hear some more from Kheta Hotem
after their awesome Meri vaahtolaine cd-r. The performance starts off
very subdued, with a faint, ominous sounding sax and distant tonbak
(or some type of Mideastern hand drum). Stringed instruments and
faint vocalizations drift in and out, but the vibe remains quiet and
hypnotic throughout the A side. On the flip things take a turn toward
chaotic improvisation and free jazz; the wailing sax and throat
singing are especially prominent. Definitely worth snagging a copy.
Jozik Records
Jozik Records
Niao – Prayer lp
Oh man, I'm totally diggin' everything
that Prayer has got going on. Niao's got this psychedelic tribal
trance-out thing going that's just incredible. Native American sounding
chanting, electric organ groves, and eastern percussion all blend
seamlessly to make some rad jams. You're into psych-experimental-world music-whatever? Then yea, you gotta snag a copy of this album.
Vanyar – Reawakened Cultic Practise
c26
Playing black metal that manages to be
both raw and epic, Vanyar's fucking killing with this demo. There's a
slight doom undertone to Reawakened Cultic Practise and it adds a
nice complexity to their sound. They also used decent recording
techniques, so the tape isn't drenched in hiss and static. Not much
more to say about this, aside from go get it.
Red Light Sound
Red Light Sound
V.A. – Ultimate Trash
cd-r
Consisting of seven groups I'm completely unfamiliar with, this comp kicks off with a few tracks of industrial from Kaustikutt. If this was the early 90's, Wax Trax! would be salivating to release a 12' ep of them. Not my scene, but I ended up liking it well enough. Next up up is Dental Work, which has a whole 'μ-Ziq on meth, playing noise' feel, that I'm not really into. Fabrict follows with a few tracks of dark, plodding electronic music. It's ok sounding, but the music doesn't really go anywhere, just kind of aimless beats and sounds. Then there's Adam Sapphire with three tracks of experimental sounds with rambling, spoken accompaniments. Meh. RedSK and Unauthorized Fatal Operation belt out some noise and the cd gets rounded out by the amateurish, playful mathrock of Running To Earth. Not a bad compilation or anything, it's just bands playing styles of music that I'm not particularly keen on.
Consisting of seven groups I'm completely unfamiliar with, this comp kicks off with a few tracks of industrial from Kaustikutt. If this was the early 90's, Wax Trax! would be salivating to release a 12' ep of them. Not my scene, but I ended up liking it well enough. Next up up is Dental Work, which has a whole 'μ-Ziq on meth, playing noise' feel, that I'm not really into. Fabrict follows with a few tracks of dark, plodding electronic music. It's ok sounding, but the music doesn't really go anywhere, just kind of aimless beats and sounds. Then there's Adam Sapphire with three tracks of experimental sounds with rambling, spoken accompaniments. Meh. RedSK and Unauthorized Fatal Operation belt out some noise and the cd gets rounded out by the amateurish, playful mathrock of Running To Earth. Not a bad compilation or anything, it's just bands playing styles of music that I'm not particularly keen on.
TRASHFUCK Records
Monday, September 17, 2012
#48
Alaskan – The Weak & The Wounded
12" ep
Originally released two years ago on
cassette, The Weak & The Wounded is once again seeing the light
of day, this time on wax. If you've heard the Split 12" with Co-Pilot
you'll be able to tell right away this is an earlier release. The
sludgy ambiance on that ep is noticeably absent here, with Alaskan
playing a far more generic style of post-metal. The vocals
also sound off, like they would be more suited for a hardcore band. I
suspect if I had heard this before their more recent work, I'd be
more favorable toward it. The Weak & The Wounded isn't a bad
album, by any means, just that I prefer the sound the band has
evolved into.
The Treaty Oak Collective
The Treaty Oak Collective
Kösmonaut – Emanations c60
I can't believe I'm only now discovering Kösmonaut. A one-man, electronic krautrock unit from my home state of Texas, I
should have been all over this from day one. Better late than never.
Anyhow, saying that Kösmonaut is “krautrock” is a little
bit of an oversimplification. There's a lot of stuff going on in
Emanations, solid undertones of drone, psych, and industrial, so you can't pigeon-hole the sound. There are even tracks like "Triad," which has a mutant italo disco, 80's club vibe to it. Emanations is an all around rad album, that pushes the boundaries of what you think of as kosmische musik.
Jozik Records
Jozik Records
Mark Bradley – Radiant c21
Combining minimalistic bass, chiptune
percussion, and electronic sounds, I'm digging what Mark Bradley's
served up on this little tape. Starting off stark and simplistic,
Radiant's sound grows and evolves with each track, becoming a new
beast entirely by the end. If you're into unusual electronic
compositions as much as I am, you're gonna want to snag a copy of
this while you still can.
A Beard of Snails Records
A Beard of Snails Records
Qwertzuiop/i AM esper – Split
cd-r
Rad album right here that's both a split and a collaboration. Qewertzuiop kicks things off with a track of interesting neo-classical stuff, followed by a track of simmering, ethereal ambient. As a transition between the artists, the two worked together on a song, creating a stunning composition that blends the best of both bands. Seriously, it's pretty damn amazing. i AM esper rounds the cd out with two pieces of stellar, hypnotic guitar drone. Highly recommended.
Rad album right here that's both a split and a collaboration. Qewertzuiop kicks things off with a track of interesting neo-classical stuff, followed by a track of simmering, ethereal ambient. As a transition between the artists, the two worked together on a song, creating a stunning composition that blends the best of both bands. Seriously, it's pretty damn amazing. i AM esper rounds the cd out with two pieces of stellar, hypnotic guitar drone. Highly recommended.
Sam Pink – i never liked my dad c58
Aside from a few Henry Rollins and
Jello Biafra tapes I owned in middle school, I've never really
listened to spoken word stuff. And, while I might not be a
connoisseur of the genre, I can tell you what I do like and what I
don't like. This falls into the latter category. As if the rambling,
pointless, slice-of-life material wasn't enough, Sam Pink's
monotonous tone and choppy speaking pace make i never liked my dad an
incredibly frustrating listen. Sorry, no thanks.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
#47
Bad Creeps – Make Us Proud c26
Abrasive and disjointed, Make Us Proud
reminds me a lot of the noise rock AmpRep was pumping out some 20
years ago. But, you can't pigeonhole Bad Creeps' sound down to just
that. There's a little bit of a powerviloence undertone and a totally
snarky feel to it all. It's fucking rad. My only complaint is that
mix seems a little muted, especially on the vocals. I'd have liked to
hear those shrieks and barks louder. It's not that big a
deal. What is a big deal is that this is limited to 50 copies, so you better
keep your fingers crossed there is one or two still left for you.
Tent Revivalist Tapes
Tent Revivalist Tapes
Mt. Tjhris – Amethyst Cave c44
Remember back in high school when one
of your pals dropped blotters for the first time and was all
“Dude...The colors, I can hear them!” Well, now you too can
finally hear that chromesthesiatic trip, thanks to Mt. Tjhris and
this tape. It's a prismatic spray in the audio spectrum, the sound
of light refracting through a million crystals. I won't lie,
Amethyst Cave's whole new age, purple crystal healing sounds vibe is
way too Hearts of Space for me, but the actual music is solid.
Bubbly, synth ambiance, with some trance-y drone tossed in for good
measure. Recommended, especially for all you clairvoyants who want a
soundtrack to your crystal gazing.
null – Miasma cd-r
All to frequently “post-black metal” is code for hipster dicks playing at some bullshit, ironic, art school, quasi-black metal sound. Thankfully, this is not the case with null. Consisting of 4 massive tracks blending vaguely melodic black metal and guitar fueled dronescapes, Miasma is totally overwhelming. I can see a lot of black metal purists being turned off by this, but fuck them, it's their loss. Required listening for anyone who enjoys progressive and creative black metal type stuff. The only unfortunate aspect about Miasma is that it marks the end of null. Oh well, better to go out with a bang, right?
All to frequently “post-black metal” is code for hipster dicks playing at some bullshit, ironic, art school, quasi-black metal sound. Thankfully, this is not the case with null. Consisting of 4 massive tracks blending vaguely melodic black metal and guitar fueled dronescapes, Miasma is totally overwhelming. I can see a lot of black metal purists being turned off by this, but fuck them, it's their loss. Required listening for anyone who enjoys progressive and creative black metal type stuff. The only unfortunate aspect about Miasma is that it marks the end of null. Oh well, better to go out with a bang, right?
Slaw – Slaw c45 x2
Make sure the Pabst is ice cold and
that sweet wizard-shaped bong is packed, 'cause it's time to pop this
monster into the tape deck. Totally pummeling, crushing sludge spaced out
over two 45 minute cassettes, how the fuck could you not love Slaw?
The production is surprising clean for music that sounds so grimy,
but it works. These dudes have a kind of minimalistic sound going; no
psychedelic guitar solos or southern rock action, it's just a
pulverizing wave of sludge. Why the fuck are you still reading my
ramblings and not out snagging a copy?
V.A. – Duets c100
Ok, so this is a totally rad idea. Put
together a huge comp that consists entirely of two-man bands. Duets is 16
bands and over an hour and a half of tunes. Mostly synth and
electronic action from the groups, but there's some other styles
thrown in as well. All fairly solid tracks, standouts for me were the
rumbler from Brother Raven, the meditative guitar drones from Century
Planet, and a plodding rock instrumental from Big Sky. And that's
just the A side; on the flip there solid tracks from Blood on Tape,
Sundrips, & Grasshopper. Diggin it.
Monday, August 6, 2012
#46
156 – Frontyard/Backyard c42
I'm not quite sure if the 156 fits the
definition of musique concrète, so I'll use the more generic 'sound
collage'. It's not really a genre I'm particularly interested in and
the truth is I snagged this tape not knowing what I'd find on it. I
was down in Fort Lauderdale digging though the local section of an
indie record store when I stumbled upon Frontyard/Backyard. I didn't
know anything about the project or the label, but the man behind 156,
Adel Souto, is a name I recognize. For those unaware, Mr. Souto used
to publish the Feast of Fear and Hate zine (remember when people did
paper zines?), which I read voraciously back in high school. Anyhow,
this is a collection of field recordings and musical-ish sounds
created with tools, metal scraps, and whatever else, that have been
interwoven. As I said before, this type of stuff doesn't really pique
my interest, but I did find the album to be strangely hypnotic.
Listening to it in a noisy, metropolitan area, Frontyard/Backyard
didn't blend in, but rather stood out as a different, but similar,
set of sound. I found myself trancing out in a strange place in
between what was the white noise of the city and the music from 156.
Does that make any sense? Anyhow, if you're into unusual sound
collages and experimental field recordings, check this out.
Dragon Turtle and Eric de Jesus – The
Second Summer of Love/The Leaves on the Trees were Green with Youth
7"
I feel like this is one of those 'good
idea in theory' type of things that doesn't manage to pan out in
reality. You've got a spoken word dude reading over a band's music;
sounds interesting. The main problem is that the vocal levels are
botched and Eric de Jesus sounds staticy and muted, especially on The
Leaves... side. On top of that, de Jesus' prose doesn't particularly
appeal to me; it's not bad or anything, just not my deal. I did find
myself enjoying Dragon Turtle's kinda shoegaze-y, mellow math-rock; but that wasn't enough to save this ep. I
wanted to like this, but it left me rather underwhelmed.
Lunar Miasma – Managing The Dream c28
If you've been jonesing for some synch
action, Lunar Miasma has got what you need. This rad little tape kicks
off with a massive track of shimmering electronics. All crystal
visions and tigers floating in space, you know? The next
track takes it down a notch, with this mysterious, low key vibe
going. On the flip there's another impressive piece of sci-fi
sounding weirdness and finally a calm journey delving deep into the id.
Managing The Dream is an astral burner, a soundtrack for the
unconscious mind.
Rose Cross – Rose Cross 7"
I'm not big into either punk or garage
rock, but I'm finding myself digging this ep. Rose Cross plays
short songs of fuzzy punk rock about ghosts, the apocalypse, and
relationships. The really stand out aspect about Rose Cross is the
shout/sung female vocals, which gives the band a particularly unique
sound. I'm diggin' it, go snag a copy.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
#45
Force Fed Life – Reminiscent
Nostalgia cd-r
Billed as “depressive black metal,” a more accurate description of Force Fed Life would be “repetitive guitar riffs and incoherent mumbling”. The first half of the Reminiscent Nostalgia's four tracks consist of an acoustic guitar and a dude whispering about pain or something, while the final half is an electric guitar and laughable black metal style vocals. To top it all off, the last track is an agonizing 14 minutes long. No thanks.
Smell the Stench
Billed as “depressive black metal,” a more accurate description of Force Fed Life would be “repetitive guitar riffs and incoherent mumbling”. The first half of the Reminiscent Nostalgia's four tracks consist of an acoustic guitar and a dude whispering about pain or something, while the final half is an electric guitar and laughable black metal style vocals. To top it all off, the last track is an agonizing 14 minutes long. No thanks.
Smell the Stench
Fossils From the Sun – Blood '08 c38
Blood '08 begins with a sidelong jam of barley audible rhythmic pulsations, glitchy vocalizations, and, towards the end, some metallic sine waves. Not a promising start for the album. On the flip things are slightly more interesting, but really the three tracks there are just variations of what you heard before. It feels like Fossils From the Sun has the potential, but it just never manifests. All and all? Meh.
i AM esper – Sun & Moon: Between
Dimensions cd-r
Damn, this is a massive slab of drone
right here. Broken up between “day music” and “night music”, the sun portion is strummed guitar riffs that have been looped and
layered creating tracks that slowly unfold, while the moon half utilizes low note reverberations for melancholy pieces. With each song clocking
in at around 10 minutes, by the time Sun & Moon: Between
Dimensions concludes one can't help but feel overwhelmed and
engulfed in an ocean of sound. While the cd-r version has sold out,
you can buy a digital copy from i AM esper's bandcamp or wait for one
of the two cassette reissues.
Either way, just make sure you get you hands on a copy of this.
Northern Forest/Pandemonium – Là où
la Nature Reflète Sa Majesté cd-r
This split gets kicked off with four
tracks from Northern Forest of mixed synth action and nature
recordings, with a bit of black metal for good measure. These are
decent enough, but I've heard better stuff from Northern
Forest. The album is rounded out by an impressive track of drone from
France's Pandemonium. Consisting of looped ritualistic chanting,
electronic rumblings, and an unknown stringed instrument, it's
completely mesmerizing. Worth checking out if drone and dark ambient
is your game.
Pan – Pan c60
Pan's a tough nut to crack. The songs
here range from chaotic electronic soundscapes to folksy, pop
psychedelics and a fair share of things in between. I find myself
more drawn toward the psych tracks than the sound collage &
electronic antics, but to each their own. Pretty impressive that such
a diverse array of music was created with just a synthesizer,
electric guitar, and vocals. For whatever reason, I feel a little out
of my element with this one. I'm liking Pan, but it's not the thing
for everybody. If you dig odd birds, Pan will be right up
your alley.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)