Depravity Label – 033
Friday, March 6, 2020
Geography Of Hell - (2018) Hiroshima 1945, Nagasaki 1945 2xLP
Hospital Productions – 585
After a series of cassette-only releases detailing the major natural and
manmade disasters of the world, Geography Of Hell, a mysterious
collective with an international cast of members completes their debut
and arguably most immersive work yet, Hiroshima 1945/Nagaskai 1945.
While their refusal to answer questions or make their identities known,
the dedication to familiar subjects presented without explanation makes
this band and their debut live performance in New York City in the fall
of 2017 (as one of the highlights of the Hospital 20 Years Festival).
Members were concealed behind bizarre homemade masks while frantic and
mesmerizing multi-screen videos played of drawings and footage pre- and
post-atomic attacks on Japan. This tragic and controversial moment is
explored on two LPs ranging from insane martial loops to the most
distant rumblings and shore breeze. Hailing in reverse order, the
intensity and rhythmic sequencing on this LP defines expectations by
slowly reducing and eliminating its compositions as the album closes
with sub ambience. The anticipated vinyl release following the
collectible and scarce nature of a series of tape releases, Hiroshima
1945/Nagaskai 1945 is the master work of one of most true contemporary
industrial collectives, in that it is a group effort with accreditation
or compromise. It easily fits into cinematic compositions as well as
contemporary avant-garde electronics and even the nether regions of
neoclassical punk. Prepared and mastered for vinyl by Kris Lapke
(Alberich).
Linekraft / Alberich - (2019) Shock Industrialization 10''
Hospital Productions – 637
the two modern masters of the industrial noise and cacophony collide on
this crushing 10” intersecting at the little known and largely forgotten
cold war crossroads of the cambodian civil war and the some could argue
its deep predecessor of the korean war. 2 decayed and corrupted tracks
from each artist spreading rotten winds.
The Kiwi Animal - (1985) Mercy LP
DIGITAL REGRESS – 041
Digital Regress's foray into the fabled NZ underground hops over to the
North Island for two exquisite pieces of acoustic DIY and shadowy,
cracked pastoralia. After a few years spleen venting at the front of
Wellington art brutes SHOES THIS HIGH, BRENT HAYWARD struck out on his
own, self-releasing a few EPs as SMELLY FEETt before forming THE KIWI
ANIMAL with JULIE COOPER in 1982. The duo released their first album,
Music Media, on Massage Records (their own imprint) in 1984. With the
addition of PATRICK WALLER on cello and sundry other instruments, 1985's
Mercy finds an augmented Kiwi Animal trying on what at first glance is a
more refined, melancholic sound. But the group's experimental bent,
largely restrained on Music Media, soon shows its hand. Pinprick ur-folk
guitar themes, blinking on and off, buffeted by radio interference and
toy piano; woozy bedsit slow-burns; the arresting croak of Hayward's
penpal, William S. Burroughs; even a foray into dosed synth-pop: MERCY
presents a unique yield of fraying, autumnal DIY songcraft. The music of
The Kiwi Animal, moody and intelligent and often abruptly gentle, works
subcutaneously, propelled by guitars that churn and weave – no jangle
here – and a his 'n' hers vocal delivery for the ages. Digital Regress
is happy to make these essentially perfect records available again.
Sutcliffe Jugend - (2019) Relentless 4xCD
Death Continues Records – 015
After the announcement they are no more, the final Sutcliffe Jugend recording is ‘Relentless’. Approximately four hours of ecstatic extreme expressionism. Do not file under easy listening. It’s brutal, violent unforgiving and unapologetic art. It is definitely not for the average noise or industrial music listener. A brutal and violent unjust world makes for brutal, violent and some would say ‘unjust’ art. We say let the world see itself before it drowns in its on shit.
With the exception of two tracks ‘Relentless’ was recorded in five sessions primarily using analog synthesisers, guitar and vocals. Part written, part improvised the aim was to capture the relentless intensity of their incredible late period live shows.
These are the last scheduled studio recordings of Sutcliffe Jugend, testing the listeners and indeed their own endurance limits. After this release there is nowhere else left to go. Kevin pushes his voice to the limit one more time and Paul matches him every step of the way. Both using their standard live set up plus three analogue and one digital synthesiser, the musical interplay is as brutal and vicious as ever, perhaps even more so. This is the sound of a band not going quietly and collapsing in on itself, they clearly new they only had a short time left. You have been warned, ‘Relentless’ lives up to its name and it’s intensity has no equal. ‘Relentless’ is clearly not for the faint hearted.
Do not miss out on this limited edition 4CD Digipak release. It’s an experience like no other. As Kevin screams on the opening title track, ‘THIS IS FUCKING RELENTLESS!’
Moonbeam Terror - (2019) Comfort Knife LP
Hospital Productions – 650
“a startling and confrontational document of sheer noise textures from the immortal corpse or the corpse you can’t get rid of. the unstable and disturbing currents of riverbed noise clattering across the rocks of silt cliffs bubble up before receding again down the reverse side of the waterfall. super crushing heavy electronics - ophelia has risen from the creek and will bring shame to her admirers. be sure not to miss moonbeam terror this year at hospital fest 12/7 in nyc! mastered by r. mason (autoerotichrist/enemy soil).”
Pain Jerk - (2019) Mission Invisible
Hospital Productions – 656
hospital productions is proud to announce the unreleased would be
classic from japanese noise hero painjerk. originally recorded
immediately after the canonical ‘gallon gravy’ classic, this is pure -
definitive - loop heavy noise energy and dynamism that would become the
signature of kohei gomi’s electronic studies having influenced two
generations of underground electronics since. hailing from a background
of japanese punk, kohei gomi stayed true to the fierce ethos of
independence and experimentation that reached its peak in japan in the
late 90’s. but make no mistake, mr. gomi never stagnated into a single
platform, having worked with such diverse labels as as alternative
tentacles, relapse, editions mego and so on. composed with a mysterious
configuration of constantly flowing noise hardware - always recorded
live without overdubs, gomi went on to risk taking computer explorations
into the roots of avant garde compositions inspired by the likes of pan
sonic and david tudor.
having reached cult status and maintaining an air of mystery after an onslaught of now classic and highly collectible tape only releases such as the monstrous ‘cacophony of a thousand pleasures’ 3xcs which has been cited as an influence for mika vainio.
never settling for stale genre collaborations, kohei gomi further went on to such divergent ends as the insane collaboration with russell haswell, psychedelic commune pioneers smegma, and power violence royalty bastard noise. we are blessed to finally have such a critical document unleashed onto the world of what 20 years on can easily sit alongside the classics of its day. raise a fist in solidarity for the inimitable punk noise of painjerk!
having reached cult status and maintaining an air of mystery after an onslaught of now classic and highly collectible tape only releases such as the monstrous ‘cacophony of a thousand pleasures’ 3xcs which has been cited as an influence for mika vainio.
never settling for stale genre collaborations, kohei gomi further went on to such divergent ends as the insane collaboration with russell haswell, psychedelic commune pioneers smegma, and power violence royalty bastard noise. we are blessed to finally have such a critical document unleashed onto the world of what 20 years on can easily sit alongside the classics of its day. raise a fist in solidarity for the inimitable punk noise of painjerk!
Prurient - (2012) Colonialist Nature And Misanthropy
Hospital Productions – 167
Originally a cassette boxset released in 2007, 'Colonialist Nature And
Misanthropy' features Dominik Fernow inciting a maelstrom of blistering
synth wave noise pop. These seven tracks could be viewed as a
prototypical, rudimentary form of the more polished styles heard on his
'Bermuda Drain' LP, revolving as they do around pulsing synthlines,
bludgeoning beats and desecrating black metal vocals and atmosphere.
We'd strongly recommend checking the detached ambience on 'Mask Of
Roses', and the dank, clangorous torture chamber vibes of 'Mask Of
Ropes' for starts, and then the bone-crushing Vatican Shadow style
Technoid Breakbeats of 'Mask Of Arches'. Ace.
Prurient - (2019) Garden Of The Mutilated Paratroopers
Hospital Productions – 645
Limited 2x FAN CD EP of Airborne Electronics for the 75th anniversary of
Screaming Eagles Radio and 82nd Neptune Death Row. Adrenaline drones,
memorial distortion, windy feedback, loud speaker vocals with a heavy
influence from the naked and neither fact-nor-fiction black humor drama
forgotten style of Aquifer Sodality and Slaughter Productions.
Prurient - (2019) Noise For Halloween Night
Hospital Productions – none
“Halloween speaks to the deeper psyche in us all,” he explains, “the
curiosity of the unknown, about overcoming fear, which despite its
frightful iconography is ultimately a positive celebration. Unlike other
holidays Halloween doesn’t have much traditional music. It is mostly
affiliated with films, characters, and overarching abstract atmosphere.
He continues, “To create original music that would reflect this atmosphere that is contemporary yet somehow familiar was a true challenge. It was an opportunity to respond to music that has influenced me since childhood but was confined mostly to specific settings outside traditional venues — movie theaters and temporary outdoor haunted houses and fairs. This project was an opportunity to bring the sounds of those settings inside to a club or car stereo for late night drives around town.”
He continues, “To create original music that would reflect this atmosphere that is contemporary yet somehow familiar was a true challenge. It was an opportunity to respond to music that has influenced me since childhood but was confined mostly to specific settings outside traditional venues — movie theaters and temporary outdoor haunted houses and fairs. This project was an opportunity to bring the sounds of those settings inside to a club or car stereo for late night drives around town.”
Vatican Shadow - (2019) American Flesh For Violence
Hospital Productions – 611
As part of the series of the 9th anniversary of the project arrives ‘American Flesh For Violence’, featuring both moody and dense unreleased tracks from the archives as well as a companion of remixes throughout the projects history featuring: Alessandro Cortini, Ancient methods, CUB, and JK Flesh.
mastered by Josh Eustis.
credits
released December 6, 2019
Vatican Shadow - (2019) Byzantine Private CIA
Hospital Productions – none
First three Vatican cassettes including Byzantine Private CIA, Mural of
Saddam, and Yemeni Commandos remastered. Part of a series of releases
for the 9 year anniversary of the project. New artwork.
credits
released July 26, 2019
Tracks 1 - 4 originally released as Byzantine Private CIA.
Tracks 5 - 7 originally released as Mural Of Saddam.
Tracks 8 and 9 originally released as Yemeni Commandos.
credits
released July 26, 2019
Tracks 1 - 4 originally released as Byzantine Private CIA.
Tracks 5 - 7 originally released as Mural Of Saddam.
Tracks 8 and 9 originally released as Yemeni Commandos.
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Vatican Shadow - (2019) Church Of All Hallows' Eve
Hospital Productions – none
“Halloween speaks to the deeper psyche in us all,” he explains, “the curiosity of the unknown, about overcoming fear, which despite its frightful iconography is ultimately a positive celebration. Unlike other holidays Halloween doesn’t have much traditional music. It is mostly affiliated with films, characters, and overarching abstract atmosphere.
He continues, “To create original music that would reflect this atmosphere that is contemporary yet somehow familiar was a true challenge. It was an opportunity to respond to music that has influenced me since childhood but was confined mostly to specific settings outside traditional venues — movie theaters and temporary outdoor haunted houses and fairs. This project was an opportunity to bring the sounds of those settings inside to a club or car stereo for late night drives around town.”
Vatican Shadow - (2019) Kuwaiti Airforce
Hospital Productions – 643
Remastered by Dubplates Mastering. New Artwork. Part of a series of releases for the 9 year anniversary of the project.
A1 and A2 previously released as Kuwaiti Airforce.
B1 and B2 previously unreleased.
C1 and C2 previously released on Around The Dragon's Broken Neck Hangs The Medal Of Saint Lazarus.
D1 previously released on The Serpent Carries Him Back Into Paradise.
D2 previously released on White Eye Of Winter Watching.
A1 and A2 previously released as Kuwaiti Airforce.
B1 and B2 previously unreleased.
C1 and C2 previously released on Around The Dragon's Broken Neck Hangs The Medal Of Saint Lazarus.
D1 previously released on The Serpent Carries Him Back Into Paradise.
D2 previously released on White Eye Of Winter Watching.
Vatican Shadow - (2019) Pakistan Military Academy
Hospital Productions – 641
Originally slunk out on a tape edition of 125 copies in 2011, ‘Pakistan
Military Academy’ sees Dominick Fernow calibrate his night-vision
goggles to scan the most potent, affective visions of dark ambient and
militaristic techno in his war chest. At the time of release, only
months after the capture of Osama Bin Laden by US Army SEAL “Night
Stalkers”, the project really came into its own as a form of
impressionistic reportage, daring to grasp the nettle of contemporary US
geopolitics in a way that, as music and art history will only make
starker, everyone else broadly avoided at the time.
In place of literal lyrics, a mix of quotes from newspapers and official government communiques, together with evocative photo documentation, supply the song titles and narrative/aesthetic framework for what are essentially abstracted emotions related to American military and foreign policy. Depending how much you read or buy into it, for us at least the music rarely fails to evoke the shadowy unease and precarity of that era, as the sound betrayed an underlying mood that also spoke to the realignment of borders between musicks and socio-economics.
The A-side is worth the cost of entry alone for ‘Whitewashed Compound Stealth Helicopter Crash’, a spine-freezing tract of arcing synth pads leading to one of this decade’s most memorable codas, but when we factor in the scudding techno-stepper ‘Staccato Bursts of Gunfire’, plus the haunting late period Muslimgauze styles of ‘CIA Contractor Freed Over Pakistan Killings’, and the deep systolic thrum of ‘Prime Minister Defiant As Pakistan Outs CIA Agent’, this plate becomes an absolute essential for any and all connoisseurs of modern industrial and dark ambient music.
In place of literal lyrics, a mix of quotes from newspapers and official government communiques, together with evocative photo documentation, supply the song titles and narrative/aesthetic framework for what are essentially abstracted emotions related to American military and foreign policy. Depending how much you read or buy into it, for us at least the music rarely fails to evoke the shadowy unease and precarity of that era, as the sound betrayed an underlying mood that also spoke to the realignment of borders between musicks and socio-economics.
The A-side is worth the cost of entry alone for ‘Whitewashed Compound Stealth Helicopter Crash’, a spine-freezing tract of arcing synth pads leading to one of this decade’s most memorable codas, but when we factor in the scudding techno-stepper ‘Staccato Bursts of Gunfire’, plus the haunting late period Muslimgauze styles of ‘CIA Contractor Freed Over Pakistan Killings’, and the deep systolic thrum of ‘Prime Minister Defiant As Pakistan Outs CIA Agent’, this plate becomes an absolute essential for any and all connoisseurs of modern industrial and dark ambient music.
Vatican Shadow - (2019) Washington Buries Al Qaeda Leader At Sea
Hospital Productions – 642
Holding all six sides from 3 x impossible-to-find tape “deck” issues of ‘Washington Buries Al Qaeda Leader At Sea’, plus the previously digital-only track ‘He Ambled Down The Dirt Road For Visits To A Market’ and the aforementioned Regis exclusive; the 3rd instalment of the series compiles the rarest cuts from Vatican Shadow’s impressionistic take on a turning point in 21st century U.S. geopolitics.
Coupled with track titles lifted from the media and official government communiques on the subject, plus a full length portrait of the Twin Towers prior to 9/11, the stark music suggests a perceptive void of detachment between reporting of the events’ objective reality and the viewer’s response, beckoning listeners to read between the lines in a way that was previously deployed by two of Dominick Fernow’s (aka Vatican Shadow/Prurient/Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement) key historic influences; Muslimgauze and Whitehouse.
From the offset clatter of drums evoking marching boots on ‘People In The Compound Kept Themselves To Themselves’, to the furtive pads that bleed thru ‘Supplying The Compound With Food and Medicine’, and the elegiac gloom cast by ‘Peace Be Unto You’, there’s a nerve-edged tension to the music which surely evinces its subject in an allusively classic style. And the two new parts succinctly fall in line, with the dusky stroll of ‘He Ambled Down The Dirt Road For Visits To A Market’ marking out one of the project’s finest trip hop downbeats, while his collaboration with Regis on ‘See You Again Always’ provides the project a new highpoint of guttural, militant, technoid pressure.
With original tapes selling for triple figures on the 2nd hand market, this expanded definitive 2LP edition is unmissable for anyone with their head in the belly of modern electronic gloom.
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