|
Post by andypandy380 on Sept 5, 2013 12:17:54 GMT -5
Artwork for upcoming Picture Disc from Rustblade. Limited to 299 Copies, released on 22nd November. Not entirely sure what I was expecting, but the music had better be the best thing since sliced bread to warrant a 24.99 Euro price tag!
|
|
|
Post by acsenger on Sept 6, 2013 5:02:03 GMT -5
25 euros for a single LP?! I don't know what they're thinking... At least the picture is quite intriguing.
Anyone got the Miller/Camfield/Merzbow collab? I'd order the tape if it weren't for the punishing shipping cost from the US.
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Sept 6, 2013 8:16:49 GMT -5
Theyre clearly having a bit of a laugh. I suppose its in keeping with how elaborate the last two rustblade releases were. But Id sooner have all of these things as CD digipaks. I'll probably end up getting the CD edititon of no closure from cold spring. No word from them about the release just yet as far as I can gather.
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Sept 29, 2013 8:21:48 GMT -5
Balasz pandi just put something on facebook regarding the trio and rarenoise records. Just states that there is some good news coming soon. I assume its to do with the dvd project and atilla csihar. Looking forward to that one
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Sept 30, 2013 15:34:25 GMT -5
"soon is really soon, tons is TONS and its gonna be worth the wait"
|
|
|
Post by coldspring on Oct 1, 2013 4:45:25 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Oct 2, 2013 17:11:38 GMT -5
Got my copy of No Closure in the post today. Really quite pleasantly surprised by it. The previews didn't do it a whole lot of justice. Musically, it's quite grand, very dynamic but moody. I'd almost compare it to a movie/videogame soundtrack. It's refreshing to hear Merzbow tackle a project like this, I think it's pretty successful. The noise is jittery but remains constant throughout the album, not harsh by any means... it's just sort of 'there', in tandem with the music. Pretty different from almost anything I've heard with Merzbow's name on it. Well worth checking out. ... still no sign of Samidara
|
|
|
Post by acsenger on Oct 2, 2013 17:42:45 GMT -5
No Closure sounds interesting, will have to put it on my wantlist. Is it not metal then but more of a soundtrack? Are you gonna contact the label about Samidara? It's been a couple months, hasn't it?
|
|
|
Post by qweasd on Oct 2, 2013 21:38:38 GMT -5
Speaking of disappointment, as a long time fan classically conditioned to expect a certain amount of new solo Merzbow material per year, we are currently in the midst of the biggest lull in well over a decade. * I'll be honest, I don't collect vinyl, it's impractical for me. Why is there all of a sudden a growing tendency for Merzbow to be released on vinyl?? The albums are shorter, the sound is less intense than on CDs. Don't get me started on cassettes... this whole medium issue just strikes me as retrogressive. * And if that's not bad enough, the vinyl release of Grand Owl Habitat reuses the least enjoyable track on the last actual Merzbow album album (Takahe Collage). Also Rustblade - who as it turns out are the current reigning champions (for the past 2 years, no less!) of releasing new Merzbow material with their recent Lop Lop and Kibako - have scaled things down from 2 CDs to a single overpriced picture disc LP for Tamayodo. It now costs more money to get less music thanks to the LP format at a time when scarcity is at a high. * There are more and more collaborations! Merzbow's collaborative albums are never as good as the real thing! * Reviving of old material through huge box sets. Sure, there's quantity there, not always the quality however. And it's old material; it's certainly worthwhile stuff and even offers the odd surprise, but it doesn't have the immediacy or conjure the same excitement or display new techniques as does new material. * Taking ages for material to be released.... Partikel III took about 2 years between recording and release. Samidara was recorded in 2009 at the end of the Japanese Birds set!! Part 3 of Merzcow trilogy?! Also, talking about releasing albums well before they are released - e.g. Merzgrind. I don't know about you, but it takes some of the surprise out of it for me (esp in that case knowing that Pandi will be drumming who may know how to fumble his way around a kit in a loud free jazz style but isn't a solid or interesting metal drummer. Interesting drumming is the critical thing that would make a concept like Merzgrind stand out as Masami has the equivalent of the 'guitar' side covered no problems. I'm sure they will go through the motions, but it seems there's nothing to look too much forward to there). * Labels that once had a consistent stream of Merzbow releases seem to have moved on. Alien8 released some great albums from Merzbow, but those days are long gone. Vivo had a pretty good run. Has the Important Records relationship been strained? I wonder if there will be more in the Merz-series, with the latest one Merzbear being a great album but was recorded 7 years ago Rustblade are the current champions and they only have 2 Merzbow releases so far to speak of. What is going on?! Did 13 Japanese Birds exhaust the man? He's low on inspiration? (I'm afraid this is already evident in parts of recent albums and collaborations, not to mention across the drumming albums that came before the 'recent' albums). He's getting older and is slowing down after a great run? Fair enough if the latter... Hopefully this is just an anomaly in the context of an otherwise prolific output, otherwise it's a pretty big deal!
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Oct 3, 2013 11:28:02 GMT -5
-It just reminded me of the sort of material you would get on a soundtrack, layers of keyboards/synths... The very beginning has a lumbering clean guitar part (although it could be keyboards/programmed) that makes me think of old wild west films. Second half is a little more in line with doom metal etc. I don't really want to say it sounds like Sunn O)))/Earth, but it's more that sort of thing.
- I'm sick of asking the guy about Samidara lol, Apparently the release was held up because they changed pressing plants as they thought they were getting ripped off or something. I originally thought he shipped them with the release in june/july, a month later I asked and he said something like "Not yet, it's fucking killing me", and then about 2 weeks ago I was told that he had shipped another batch of them to which I assume my copy wasn't part of. Somehow I doubt the wait is gonna be worth it either... It's pretty ridiculous, I paid for the thing December last year.
- I don't understand the Vinyl thing either really. I do buy vinyl, but I'm only really fond of 7" singles. Bands like The Locust/Melt-Banana/Melvins persuaded me, It's like the singles show a different side to those bands. But that's just from a collectors perspective really. I think buying albums on Vinyl is completely a step in the wrong direction, I just don't see a plus side to owning it on vinyl. It's increasingly annoying when a band I have listened to for ages releases a new album on vinyl and cassette only... there is no point. I do buy Merzbow LPs but only because I enjoy having a hard copy, and it is always a vinyl exclusive. I do wish every Merzbow album was available on CD. My parents' generation who grew up with vinyl have almost no fondness for it at all. I'm almost certain the whole thing is a case of people my age trying to romanticize something that happened before they were born... I see that all the time, "wasn't music better in the 70s though...?" how the fuck would any of us know any different, music is great now, that's all that matters.
- I'm not so sure I mind all the collaborations too much. I do like seeing how Merzbows approach differs/fits in with all manner of different musical styles. But yes, I think maybe they have been outweighing his solo releases a little recently, and as a whole they're quite hit or miss. Partikel III for example didn't really excite me.
- I've probably already vented my frustration with things taking an age to get released... no sign of the two live albums from Hospital Hill either, weren't they coming out in March? I honestly think Part 3 of Merzcow has been recycled into something else.
- 'talking about albums before they are released' is annoying me a little too. I suppose it's largely down to social networking. Any little hint of a new record creates a hype. I'm guilty of it myself. Agoraphobic Nosebleed mentioned on Facebook that they would be recording 4 new albums... a year later I'm sitting here thinking "have you got any news for us then lads? whats going on?" Same goes for Merzgrind. I don't dislike Pandi, I do think perhaps there are more uniquely talented drummers out there. I have heard Pandi do some impressive 'Breakcore' stuff. I was thinking the other day that a collaboration (even in the Merzgrind side of things) with Yoshida Tatsuya of Ruins/Zeni Geva would be impressive. I have seen footage of them performing together, but as far as I am aware there hasn't been a recording between the two of them. (has there?)
I'm hoping all this is just an anomaly, like you said. 2011 was still quite 'normal' I suppose, a fair few new albums released (not all of them remarkable by any means) but that was only 2 years ago. The amount of new material he has released outside of boxsets/special releases has still been reasonably prolific, but perhaps not quite to his usual output. And of course none of us know what happens in Akita's personal life. Are there things outside of his own creativity that get in the way of recording new material? I think saying he's slowing down/has a lack of motivation might be jumping the gun a little.
|
|
|
Post by acsenger on Oct 3, 2013 20:42:27 GMT -5
Vinyl and tapes have been hip for some time (although they never disappeared in experimental music) and it’s mainly a case of format fetishism that has little to do with the music itself. That said, I like all 3 formats (and I’d like to believe music comes first for me before format) but if everything was released only on CD, I’d be just as happy.
If Akita is low in inspiration, it must be something serious as he’s had no problems with releasing uninspired and boring albums in the past. Considering he’s been churning out releases since 1980 like there’s no tomorrow, I’m sure it would take a really serious reason for him to slow down/stop (I assume the sort of hiatus around 2000 was due to preparing the Merzbox and learning his way with computers).
The topic about releases announced long ago that haven’t seen the light of day yet reminds me that a Kozo Inada+Merzbow release has been listed as “upcoming” on Inada’s website for AGES... Probably 5 years at least! I wonder if that’ll ever be released.
|
|
|
Post by Bucketfel on Oct 6, 2013 10:19:37 GMT -5
I dont think it will. I remember when it first popped up, i was very exited for the Inada/Merzbow collab but it never came. Now i lost hope, just like with the rest of the Microkosmos volumes
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Oct 7, 2013 6:54:18 GMT -5
Ha, I forgot Mikrocosmos was part of a series. Always seemed like a bit of an odd choice to me, I think the Idea was based on a run of collages he made years ago, and I think the artwork is of a higher quality than the music which is pretty typical of the 'drum era', doubt it would have stood out anyway alongside the Japanese Birds and all that. I do think it's a shame Goloka never surfaced, Kamadhenu was great, and was quite a different sounding album generally. Not so fussed about Surabhi, but a third one could have tied it all up nicely. I never heard about that Kozi Inada release before, I'd like to know how these releases work 'behind the scenes'
|
|
|
Post by acsenger on Oct 9, 2013 17:47:51 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Oct 10, 2013 10:25:41 GMT -5
hmm, The samples didn't blow me away, sounds sort of haunting/chilling which is cool though. Artwork is quite unusual, if it was a bit cheaper I'd get probably go for one.
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Oct 15, 2013 14:29:58 GMT -5
Anyone else listened to the new stuff on Soundcloud? The upcoming 7" 'Pulse Vegan' sounds great!, very good news, I do like my singles.
|
|
|
Post by acsenger on Oct 17, 2013 21:41:24 GMT -5
I also quite liked Pulse Vegan, especially the first track. Looking forward to listening to the other tracks on Soundcloud.
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Dec 4, 2013 15:45:36 GMT -5
did anyone see the limited edition version of the 7" from the Merzbow/M.B release? (or is it me being slow on the uptake) I'd love a copy, but I can't quite justify £40 on one 7", even if the cover is printed on canvas, limited to 63 copies and signed by them both. www.menstrualrecordings.org/merzbow_mb_fragment_b_28th_flux.htm
|
|
|
Post by neokorosu on Dec 4, 2013 17:10:04 GMT -5
A few days ago, I saw this release on discogs. I think the whole packaging looks very beautiful, the artwork with the coloured record were looking great. But 50€ for 10 minutes of music? Beside the fact I don't even own a record player, the price is quite unreasonable. Even from the perspective of a collector, it is too expensive in my eyes.
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Dec 4, 2013 17:39:51 GMT -5
Yeah, that's where I just picked up on it. It does look nice, If it was half the price It still wouldn't be cheap but I'd probably go for it cos I very much enjoy collecting singles. I guess the fact it's signed and limited to only 63 copies is what would push the price right up. It's kind of paying for that privilege of being one of only a handful of people who own it. I'm a little reluctant to get the LP, I'm only just beginning to get into MB myself. For me, buying an LP is like spending more money for something less useful (and less desirable personally). I like collecting things, but there's sort of a middle ground when it comes down to it. There's only been one solo Merzbow album on CD this year. If all of the years releases were released in reasonably priced standard CD digipaks, I'd buy them all, no question, but this year and last has been a bit like every label has been trying to out do each other with special collectors edition packages etc. feels like the 'elite' has been outweighing the standard releases.
|
|
|
Post by neokorosu on Dec 5, 2013 10:56:22 GMT -5
Yes, the same I was also thinking. It is quite sad, because I see myself more as a "standard collector". I hope, that will change in the next year and Merzbow will bring out more standard releases. Usually I am very rarely buying "elite releases". The only albums from my collection, which could deserve this title, were "Samidara" and "Kibako". I also want to find "Psychorazer" one day. It is a pleasure for me to collect CDs. The aspect of collecting is important for me, but it isn't the main thing. I wonder how the price of this 7" will change, when it will be sold out.
|
|
|
Post by acsenger on Dec 6, 2013 5:08:21 GMT -5
I think this 7" is an example of the worst kind of elitism and collector snobbery. 50 euros for a 7"?! It'd be too expensive even for 2 LPs! And why is it so expensive -- because of exclusive images and signatures? This is not about music but collecting for the sake of it. I won't deny that I'm a collector but I care about the music instead of fetishized special packaging crap like this. Ironically, I'll have this 7" as its regular edition comes with the Merzbow/M.B. LP that I've reserved. I should receive it early next year.
|
|
|
Post by neokorosu on Dec 6, 2013 16:37:39 GMT -5
Hard words, acsenger. But I agree to 100% with you. The signatures and the very strict limitation of the release are clearly characteristics, that this release is addressed to pure collectors, than to the average fan. With releases like this 7", I think Merzbow is exploiting the trust of many die-hard fans. Perhaps Merzbow is slowly reaching a point of his career, where he just want to go in pension. His fanbase is small, but very enthusiastic. So he is releasing old material in a nice package, because he knows, that his fans will buy it. Ok, this might sound like a worst case scenario, but I think that this idea isn't so unrealistic at all.
|
|
|
Post by Bucketfel on Dec 6, 2013 22:17:49 GMT -5
Ive had the same issue with my other favourite artist Buckethead who has released 30 new albums in a year at double the price for white covers with hand signatures and sometimes drawings (on the earlier ones). I do agree that sometimes the content doesnt justify the price but i guess they are aware they wont sell fast at all. They are there until they run out or they'll lower the price at some point.
I guess if we could hear the contents fully we could make a desition because as you said before, its a collector edition which in all realism wont be played much and will end up in a shelf well taken care of.
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Dec 7, 2013 9:45:46 GMT -5
I saw this recently, a blog post by Aranos (NWW collaborator) ----> www.aranos.org/aranos/Blog/Entries/2011/10/12.html It's kind of related to what we've been talking about. I don't think I quite agree with all of what he says... using the term 'mainstream pap' would kind of suggest there's a bit of a superiority complex here in the first place. Farbeit from me to tell an artist how to do his work, but he obviously treats his work more as a fine art project than a music one. There would appear to be a demand for his music... would having a couple of hundred CDs manufactured somewhere be such a bad thing? On the subject of NWW, there were three (or more) albums released this year which were limited to about 40 copies each with elaborate packaging. I sort of get the idea of doing a special edition version of an album (although I'm never really that fussed about them) ...but I think it's odd that the music on those albums is exclusive to those 40 copies... would you not want the whole world to hear it? I doubt very much they'd be ones for getting angry if someone downloaded a digital file of it, but finding it is easier said than done! I don't quite know if all these sorts of releases are some sort of a bizarre backlash to MP3s etc. MP3s being completely 'formless' so the whole thing goes wildly in the other direction with elaborate packaging as a sort of rebellion of that. I can only speak for myself, but when I collect a band's music, my ideal world is to be able to have the whole lot, with it's lovely artwork and whatever housed inside a jewel case/digipak, and nicely lined up on a shelf There is definitely such a thing as a happy medium.
|
|
|
Post by neokorosu on Dec 7, 2013 18:56:15 GMT -5
For me, an album is not only a container for music. I enjoy it, when the whole product is well thought out. But a good packaging is just a bonus, the main thing is the music. So I see no point to invest too much effort in to the packaging, while on the other side, the price of the whole release is reaching an absurd level. I personally prefer it, when a release is made by a professional company. I like it more, when the release is made by machines, from printing the covers to pressing the medium itself. And I wouldn't pay so much for a self burnt CD-R, like for a professional pressed CD. Nevertheless, I am willing to pay more for an album when the music is convincing enough. But just because of the packaging? It doesn't justify the price. Perhaps when there would be a fat booklet inside, otherwise rather not.
|
|
|
Post by acsenger on Dec 7, 2013 20:32:31 GMT -5
I think Aranos fails to mention that what he says might be true about specially packaged releases but most likely not about standard edition ones. I'm sure he's telling the truth when he describes the labour and love that went into his particular CD-R but I'm also pretty sure the picture is different with factory pressed, standard jewel case/digipak CDs or even vinyl (let alone tapes) released in a couple hundred copies. Otherwise why would the majority of labels sell them for affordable prices? Of course, it's in his right to sell a CD-R for 20 euros due to the labour involved. If I was a fan (I don't know his music, sadly), I might even buy it -- 20 euros for a full-length (if it is indeed that) CD-R is tolerable once in a while, in my view anyway. But I just can't justify 50 euros for a 7" -- that is, more than double the price for probably much less music. Well, at least that 7" was also released in a standard edition as part of an LP (even when that ain't cheap either -- but it can probably be explained by the cost of production), so it doesn't only exist in that stupid deluxe edition. That would be utter bulls***. I guess there might be two different mentalities at play: one that views a release as an object of art of which music is part and thus says the price should be whatever the artist/label sees fit considering the cost and effort of producing it, and one which likes the idea of special packaging but only to a reasonable extent ("reasonable" being up to the individual, of course) because at the end of the day, this mentality sees music as the point of a release and thinks it should therefore be affordable. I certainly have the latter mentality.
|
|
|
Post by acsenger on Dec 10, 2013 18:00:46 GMT -5
Well, I bought Tamayodo the other day. I saw it at a record store and I couldn't leave it there despite the hefty price tag (although I had a look on the net and I couldn't get it cheaper). I'll write a review once I've listened to it properly.
|
|
|
Post by neokorosu on Dec 11, 2013 9:42:23 GMT -5
Cool! I'm looking forward for your review!
|
|
|
Post by andypandy380 on Jan 14, 2014 16:23:50 GMT -5
|
|