Category Archives: UPDATE

Blood Rhythms – ‘Civil War’ LP
BLOOD RHYTHMS is an ongoing and constantly morphing collective spearheaded by veteran experimental artist and Chicago native Arvo Zylo. The unit’s new LP, CIVIL WAR began its conceptual impetus before its vinyl debut, 2014’s ASSEMBLY, which was a layered whale song / locomotive stomp of brass & wind instruments recorded in a meat locker, released in collaboration with RRRECORDS. In 2010, after a few years of makeshift group performances delivering noisy, loop-based industrial drones as a brass ensemble, and inevitably growing to incorporate a series of damaged synth/junk metal outings, the group’s official debut was met with live accompaniment from legendary Chicago avant/industrial/gospel giants ONO. With that, the very beginnings of BLOOD RHYTHMS’ new LP, CIVIL WAR, were set into motion. From 2010 to 2016, Zylo exhibited either with BLOOD RHYTHMS or solo, at noise fests, radio stations, or various venues around the country, themes which evolved exponentially. Some of these pieces have been performed live close to fifty times, occasionally with as many as four drummers and a five piece brass section. Words like “cathartic” and “intense” were regularly used to describe the often blisteringly loud affairs– with contact mic’ed heartbeats, aluminum mic’ed masks, sheet metal, belt sanders, amplified packing tape, and visceral, feedback-laden howls. CIVIL WAR is a studio culmination of nearly ten years of ongoing work; A synthesis of Zylo’s main focus, and what has come to be referred to by some as outsider power electronics. The result is something that retains the meticulousness, nuance, and visionary drive of a reclusive studio rat, but without relinquishing the rawness and fortitude of a full group sonic assault. CIVIL WAR features contributions from Bruce Lamont (Yakuza, Bloodiest, Corrections House), Mike Weis (Zelienople, Kwaidan), Wyatt Howland (Skin Graft, Blackfire, Nevari Butchers), B. Zimimay (T.O.M.B., Dreadlords), Dave Phillips (Schimpfluch Gruppe, Fear of God), Michael Krause (Death Factory), Daniel Burke (Illusion of Safety), and Richard Syska (Secret Means of Escape, Dummy Antenna). It comes on 180 gram vinyl, and there are standard editions in black, or special editions both with opaque red vinyl or metallic silver ripple vinyl. It is housed in a thick gatefold jacket with a full varnish finish, and comes special editions come with a 44 page art booklet which includes collaborative contributions from collage artist Bradley Kokay, and rogue taxidermist Sarina Brewer. Recorded mainly (initially) at Minbal, Chicago by Brian Sulpizio (Health & Beauty), and mastered by James Plotkin (Khanate, Khlyst, NAMANAX). Seven tracks, 38 minutes. Track A3 not for airplay. Edition of 500 copies: 350 black vinyl (180g), 100 opaque red vinyl (180g), 50 silver ripple vinyl (140g). Silver copies come with a unique piece of art. No download code. No digital version available.

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Fret! – ‘A Vanity Spawned By Fear’
Tyneside noise-punks Fret! return with their blistering follow-up to 2017’s acclaimed “Through The Wound The Light Comes In”. A frenetic fuzzed-out-to-max squall of a monster riffageous racket, that gives a nod to the best of labels such as Blast First, Touch & Go and AmRep. Available as super-limited edition cassette and CD (75 copies each), along with digital download. Each tape and CD comes with a limited edition vinyl sticker, hand-drawn by Daniel Hughes; randomly selected from a series of six. All six stickers are available as a pack from the Cruel Nature bandcamp.

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Versioning//Blood Noize – ‘Link Ambient or Games//Live MMXII-MMXVIII’ 10″ lathe $30 (US)
Versioning is Columbus, OH noise titan Danielle Milam (aka Sea Tone). Blood Noize, also based in Columbus, is insane acid damaged punk noise, featured in a recent episode of Kevin Failure’s (Pink Reason) Loose on WCRS. Versioning side features a drone remix by Laa Boal Dyn. One-time lathe cut 10″ picturedisc edition of 50.

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Ron Thomas and John Swana – ‘Serenity’ CS
4 long tracks of vast, otherworldly synth landscapes, “Serenity” is the 3rd recorded collaboration between John Swana and Ron Thomas. (Previous albums: “Cycles” and “Elysium” on Vectordisc). John Swana – Jazz trumpeter and wizard of the E.V.I. (10 solo albums on Criss Cross). John pulls together deep sound design and virtuosic melodic runs. Sophisticated synth candy! Ron Thomas – A composer and jazz pianist, Ron brings together both worlds in his ability to create immersive musical landscapes. Pat Martino’s keyboard player in the 70’s, a student of Stockhausen, and friend of John Cage; it’s hard to describe Ron’s complex musical web, but one can start with his website: www.ronthomasmusic.com

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Russell Walker – ‘Roadside Piss-Up’ £4 (world)
Russell Walker (The Pheromoans, Bomber Jackets, Charcoal Owls) presents two slices of tangled poetical musings. Short stories and jumble sale chit chat tangle together across 30 mins of clotted jotter stock – spread out and torn up, then spread out again. Broadcasting directly from the addled hive mind! A human radio tunes in and checks out – broadcasts tumble out over the home counties, slip out on the A roads and slither into the service station forecourts. “Tonic from the 24 hour palace…” Limited to 44 copies, clear tape with “rave worm” on-tape sticker and pro-printed full colour artwork on HEAVY paper. Album photograph by Rowan Walker.

Beyt Al Tapes – ‘Degendt’ £4 (world)
Following a triumphant appearance at Colour What Done Gone Up There FEST in Brighton (choccymunk.fr.com), Beyt Al Tapes presents a welcome dose of cosmic brain gunge – guaranteed to take the edge off. If dribbly analogue squelch and foggy hypno-mumble are your bag, get ready… Lost in the haunted jungle, dosed up on loopy juice, the chainsaw circle tightens. Come! Ride down the mountains of madness and stop at the burger van of eternity – we’re buying. The secret sauce is experimental music, hehe. Limited to 51 tapes with pro-printed “Lycra Summit” artwork, this is a pure, loving tribute to the Flemish meteor. Clear tapes with black mountain on-tape stickers. Gira d’Beartown! :/

Slump – ‘Shashlik Mandibles’ £4 (world)
Rising from the ashes & collapsing into more ashes. Slump returns with another artefact from the digital tomb. “According to Barbara Speake, founder of the eponymous stage school Collins later attended, “Phil was always special; aged five he entered a Butlins talent contest singing Davy Crockett, but he stopped the orchestra halfway through to tell them they were in the wrong key.” His professional acting training began at the age of 14, at the Barbara Speake Stage School, a fee-paying but non-selective independent school in East Acton, west London, whose talent agency had been established by his mother.” A double sided C30, 15 minutes from side A repeats on side B. Double the fun. Complete with full colour pro-printed “transcending Runcorn” artwork.

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tzpLIVE14 LA RACE – ‘Live series Vol. 14’ CS
la race as a one-shot quartet and recorded live in october 2018. controlled savagery – those who were there know, the others now will. sewing machine artwork and inserts.

tzpCS61 GEL NAILS – ‘Cool spam from the inventors of purgatory’ CS
experimental focalization, pop manipulations, refined approach. radiant proposals for a rough world. the future is in your hands.

tzpCS62 PLACENTA POPEYE – ‘Le cimetière de la mort’ CS
after years of silence and a crowd of almost hysterical fans, new “studio” release. the rock format in its most impure version, the recorders poorly tuned as surprise guests. the noise and the fury.

tzpADM AMEDEE DE MURCIA – ‘Mangé par les oiseaux’ CD
new proposal of the man who hides behind somaticae. naturalism and noise electro-acoustics. microscopic assemblies and electron swirls.

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Chow Mwng – ‘Bo Rane’ C35 £4(world)
Hail Penda! Hail Mercian Tape Hiss Collective! The circle shrinks as Beartown finally achieves it’s logical conclusion – West Cheshire only release schedule!Hinge-makers beware… Chow Mwng is browsing your catalogues with intent – locked in the attic & over-worked. We talking the ‘splintered & shattering sense of self blues’ baby! Heard the geetaaar lines tumble, hear the voice box grumble, hear the mad endless echoes of a half-dreamt future. Late nights at the workshop? Official sanctioned “dream boss” artwork with extensive liner notes. Tapes are a kinda see-through white, like part-cooked egg white, but with a tasty sticker on – ya dig?

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Glanost – ‘Pietà’
Analogue synth driven post-punk from Moscow. Like Ladytron at their peak – if they were Russian. Limited edition of 40.

Lovely Wife – ‘Audible Beef’
Another slab of problem noise-rock from North Tyneside’s premier Sanatogen tonic wine tasters. The soundtrack to snorting coke off your partner’s arse on a Friday night whilst the Butthole Surfers peak through the key-hole, grinning. Limited edition of 50.

Lovely Wife – ‘Audible Beef’
Another slab of problem noise-rock from North Tyneside’s premier Sanatogen tonic wine tasters. The soundtrack to snorting coke off your partner’s arse on a Friday night whilst the Butthole Surfers peak through the key-hole, grinning. Limited edition of 50.

Tankengine – ‘Tankengine EP’
Featuring ex-members of yourcodenameis:milo this is urgent spiky noise-rock that Sub-Pop would’ve been all over back in the day. FFO The Jesus Lizard, TAD etc. Limited edition of 40.

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Vision Board –’Standard Damage’ C30
2nd tape from this relatively new duo of Dominic Coppola and Matt Conzett. ‘Rhythm’ synthesizers create the framework for a contemplative ambience to take residency within the space and carve out a meaning that blurs the lines between dwelling and resident.

Sterile Garden –‘Wandering Shadow’ C32
Jacob DeRaadt takes you on a proper sonic journey. Stereo’d sources unknown to the listener, possibly the creator. Altered and exalted. You leave with more questions than answers.

Detroit Synthetic Society –’S/T’ C23
An assembly, a meal, synthesis. Record 10.31.18. Participates include members of Creode, The New Me, GJ Coppola and Dominic Coppola.

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Das Synthetische Mischgewebe – ‘Zwischenmenschen’ C57 8€
Das Synthetische Mischgewebe (AKA DSM), founded by Guido Huebner in the early 80’s, in Berlin. All these years DSM They worked in many different forms of artistic expressions using custom made instruments, primitive / hacked electronics, mixed with media. They inspired from the rise of the cassette culture movement and the sound of industrial and avant-garde music of that period, creating sounds from complex sound installations. ‘Zwischenmenschen’ is a fictive, speculative Mix made of recordings of concerts in Germany in 2018 and selected home recordings from prior rehearsals and tests done in Rennes and Berlin. Besides dynamic processing and equalisation the recordings used have been mixed together unaltered. DSM uses self build, mechanic, motor driven assemblages, mixing desks, piezo- and other type of microphones and pick-ups and uses Equalisation pedals to balance Jack and XLR inputs to an equal signal level.

Ross Manning – ‘Te t on ti computer’ C43 8€
Ross Manning is a contemporary new media artist from Brisbane, Australia. He focus on alive instrument practises, kinetic and sound composition. His sound works has published on moremars, Room40, vitrine, Chemical Imbalance and Greedy Ventilator. In both sides of his “te t on on ti computer” release, he present us two different aspects of his musical direction. The first side is a montage, with a big variety of distorted sounds and pure tones, that reproduced by his custom-made instruments and electronic sources. On the second side, there is a long composition made by his self-made string panels, that they produce rhythmic patterns, that are changing form through the kinetic energy.

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