Kylie Minoise - Principles of Universal Habit

Artist Kylie Minoise
Label Quagga Curious Sound
Year 2009
Genre(s) Psychedelic Noise

Yet another insanely limited release from one man noise juggernaut Lea Cummings. There have been several Minoise releases this year, both on Cummings own label (Kovorox Sounds) and other labels scattered throughout the globe. Kylie Minoise is an ever changing beast, enyet always retaining the psychedelic leanings that run through his releases.

On to the actual recording at hand, we're presented with an unrelenting 18 minute slab of harsh, dynamic noise. Right from the get go you're grabbed by the jugular and dragged into a miasma of screams and walls of feedback. As with earlier release The Paralysis Sect the noise is intercut with creeping drone, the juxtaposition of the drone and harsher noise elements create a truly claustrophobic atmosphere. I can draw parallels twixt Principles... and some early MZ.412 work, but just as I'm beginning to relax and drift off in the sonic textures I'm stabbed in the ears by an ice pick of refined feedback and screams. The release also meanders (In a good sense) down a route favoured by wall noise, a constant, unshifting wall of feedback hiding further layers beneath, revealing more with each subsequent listen. The transitions between the more overt noise and the tense drones are handled expertly, Cummings knowing perfectly when to fade the tracks across and when a more pressing stop/start mechanic is needed. Cummings is well recognised in the noise scene and it's easy to see why when looking at this release, he never sacrifices the harsher elements for calmer sections or vice versa, rather both styles co-exist to create possibly one of the best short releases of this year.

Benighted in Sodom - Plague Overlord

Artist Benighted in Sodom
Label Obscure Abhorrence
Year 2007
Genre(s) Black Metal

There's no escaping a hailstorm that consumes this entire midnight city. It's hard to communicate when even your closest friends are obscured by the sheets of ice that tumble from an empty heaven. The only solace is a blood smeared and empty room, needles and razors providing the only warmth against the crushing blows of sharp ice. When it is dark the wraiths move again, slowly touching your cheek as they whisper the solution to all problems. "It is time", there is nought to fight for, stained glass obscures the outside and the rumors that sunlight would return were false.

A wraith that resembles her, it's eyes awash with a fire that you want to burn with, can only run a bony hand through your hair. Crushed bottles beside a tattered mattress leave the only impression that there was once life here. How fitting that life will end here.

Pocahaunted - Peyote Road

Artist Pocahaunted
Label Woodsist
Year 2008
Genre(s) Drone

So there you are, sitting in your tent smoking your peace pipe. What's that beautiful siren song? Has Elizabeth Frazer decided to run wild under the cool night sky? There are drums somewhere as well. This is all very interesting, time to get moving, this is a chance too good to miss. Best take the peace pipe, it can only accentuate this feeling you have. Wandering across desert plains, surely there was forest here before? You can't recall. The beautiful wail permeates your ears, forces your brain to walk onwards, the sand stays cool beneath your feet as you dip and rise on these dunes. Turn around and drink in the dying embers of the fire, the need for warmth is long gone. It's so serene here, and she draws you ever forward. The sticky canvas is but a distant memory, how long have you been walking now? Hours, days even? It doesn't matter, you'll happily walk forever to find the night siren that chants this incantation. Aloft on the sand, shimmering under moonlight, this could be heaven. Heading forever towards an oasis so you may drink her in. The muse, the light, the everything. The voice has stopped, it feels cold now, lost in a desert and almost swimming to stay atop the sand. The drums remain, a cruel taunting mimic of your footsteps, covered by sand. Slowly the song returns, slowly you warm again. It's urgent now to reach her, night will be over soon. She's still calling you, and the oasis is in sight.

As you arrive at the moonlit oasis you can see figures moving around a burning fire. Shadows dance long on the sand, swirling into one another. The song stops and you're alone. The fire dying and leaving you with darkness and your thoughts. You sit, running your hands through the sand and feeling every grain drop through your fingers. The moon is hiding behind a dense cloud and darkness enshrouds everything. Something is touching your shoulder, damp and cold. Try not to make any sudden move, try to be calm. There's something else here, you shouldn't be here. The song resumes, darker now. A warning coming too late, it now only fills you with dread. Shrieking close to your ear, and the fire jumps as a Phoenix, filling the night with sharp shadows. Veiled in black two figures dance, sharing shrieks and moving with detached spasms. For all the fear, all the discomfort you're enthralled. A freezing wind blows, edge closer to the fire now. The sand shifting as you do so, becoming rock hard and uncomfortable. There is nothing you can do now but watch the grim ballet that is occurring before you and hope that morning will come. The chanting becomes more coherent again, the fire dying to final embers once more. It will be morning soon.

Joker & Ginz - Kapsize EP

Artist Joker & Ginz
Label Kapsize
Year 2009
Genre(s) Grime/Dubstep

Another epic record by Joker, this time with a little help from Ginz. The usual styled dubstep (Instrumental grime?) recalling days playing SEGA. Purple City evokes images of Streets of Rage, as the clubs of Purple City empty and the skyline is already dark, neon lights serving to illuminate patrons only as grotesque charactures of themselves. Light cymbal hits wash around you like an acid rain from this foggy hell hole. For all this place may be hell on earth, it's our city and our pride can't be broken quite so easily.

The flip side Re-Up is much darker in tone, gone is the creeping hope from Purple City, replaced by the opression of a hazy room somewhere. Loosing all recognition of where you are, unable to speak with those around you. All you can really do is sway to the music and pray they don't try to speak to you. Funky basslines you used to know crumble into a harsh beat, pummeling. You keep dancing, what else can you do?