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noise

Propergol * Ground Proximity Warning System (cd 2005 annihilvs/stridulum)

When I got the Tesco newsletter, I was exited, because it lists a Propergol cd that I didn’t know and I thought it was a new one. I looked around, eventually got a copy from Hermetique himself and it proves to be a 2005 cd that I missed for some reason. The title is often G.P.W.S., by the way. This album is more ‘ambient’ than the other power electronics albums, but still ‘very Propergol’. Tons of samples (this time of airplanes in distress), extremely dark and threatening in sound, but this time just not with the extreme noise outbursts. But… you will not be entirely devoid of noise! This album may be a good introduction to Propergol for people who are not familiar with this French project, but who are not sure about power electronics. For Propergol addicts I can only say that this album won’t let you down for sure! Another great album, maybe a bit hard to get, but get in touch with Jérôme(/Hermetique) himself or of course the labels.

Propergol * Program Vengeance (cd 2005 malignant)

It was a long wait before I finally got the this new Propergol, but it is worth it! I didn’t know that this cd contains old material (recorded in 1999, remastered in 2003) but that doesn’t matter a bit. Propergol seems to be moving rapidly, because hermetique.net already has another new album called “Redemption” and two other titles are anounced, well well! Those who know Propergol will know what to expect: extreme experimental noise. Not just monotous earcracking noise, but dark soundscapes working towards complete overdrive and with a lot of samples and low frequencies. Propergol has a varried style, from dark ambient to high-pitched noise to rhytmical power electronics and more industrial sounds. Like with the other Propergol albums that I have some tracks of “Program Vengeance” are brilliant, while others are just good or alright. What I particularly like about Propergol is that the albums tend to be ‘concept albums’ of some kind. They seem to tell a story and the tracks build up an atmosphere and go over in eachother. “Program Vengeance” starts with a pit-dark soundscapes with a few noise eruptions, but it takes almost all the way to the end before the sound becomes really extreme. Especially because of the atmosphere that this French act creates with this extreme kind of sound, makes Propergol my most favorite noise act.

Propergol * Renegade (cd 2001 tesco organisation)

Here we have a real Tesco release. A 71 minute noise cd in an oversized package of a French band. 11 Tracks with a lot of variety in styles of noise and power electronics including everything from high to low-frequency noise, from relatively tranquil to very extreme, lots of rhythm, lots of samples, sometimes with distorted vocals and most of the time pretty dark. Get it before it is gone!

Propergol * United States… (cd 2000 nuit et brouillard)

A few months ago I reviewed the excellent latest cd of this French act which is a cd on Tesco. This is the previous album that is still available and that was released by the French label with an enormous mailorder catalogue Nuit et Brouillard (“night and fog”).
“United States…” contains soundscapish industrial tracks and massive noise and lasts for 71 minutes. There are a lot of samples, not just a bunch of noise, but more structured which I definately prefer of chaotic noise and a lot of low frequencies. On this and the new cd there definately are some of the best noise tracks that I ever heard and however “United States…” is not entirely as good as “Renegade”, I am sure I would have bought the new one if I got this one first. Refreshing and great noise that you shouldn’t miss.
I am not totally sure about the year this cd was released, but I think late 2000.

Post Scriptvm * Marginal Existence (cd 2005 hermetique)

The first cd of Post Scriptvm was released on the American Somnambulant Corpse/Records and is reviewed as well. Like on the 2002 debut “Gauze”, Post Scriptvm produces extremely dark ambient with industrial and noise influences. The cd is pretty good. The atmosphere is dense, pressing and dark with industrial rhythms and skrieking noises, a step forward from the first (also nice) album. On a few occasions Post Scriptvm is a bit too monotous, but not as often as on the debut album. The packaging is very nice too (as most Hermetique releases), a square envelope with stickers on. For lovers of extremely dark electronics, not fearing a bit of noise!

Peter Andersson * Perception Multiplied, Multiplicity Unified (cd 2001 cold meat industry)

“The manifold of Peter Andersson” says the cover of the beautiful discboxslider. This is some introductionary cd to Peter Andersson who most of you will know for being Raison D’Être. I knew Peter had a whole bunch of other projects. Of some I had only heard, of others I have most or all releases. All projects are brought together on this cd. The best part is that all tracks are (fairly) recently recorded and so far unreleased. You will get 58 minutes for 9 tracks opening with a good and heavy industrial/noise track of Stratvm Terror. Next up is Peter’s most famous musical outlet itself with nice track. Then follows a very ambient track of Atomine Elektrine which is usually more a trance/dance like project; I don’t like this track too much. Next up is Cataclyst, which was a one time event split-act with the female half of Institut, an atmospheric track whereas it used to be more industrial. More noise under the monicker Panzar and then another more well-known name being Necrophorus; on the cds this is very tranquil and minimal ambient and so it sounds on “Perception Multiplied…”. Then a project that I hadn’t heard off until now; “Bocksholm” is a collaboration with the other Peter Andersson that has been releasing his material on CMI and who grew up in the same city (better known as Lina Baby Doll) and is a noisy piece of industrial. Then Svasti-Ayanam is up with a not so rhythmical/tribal track as in days gone by. The last project is Peter’s oldest project called “Grismannen” which is a strange sounding track.
Overall inspite of all different projects and often different kinds of music, quite a nice cd and peak into the mind of one of the best known and oldest CMI artist.

Opfertag * Law Order Theory (cdr 2002 stahlklang audio)

Opfertag is also the ‘design-side’ of Peter Savelkoul (Above The Ruins, Stahlklang, A Challenge Of Honour, etc.) on the web. Musically Opfertag is a noise project on Stahlklang. From ambient to rhythmical noise you get 7 tracks that are alright but not brilliant. A nice cd, but not Stahlklang’s best material.

Operation Julmond * Twice Minded (7” 2003 steinklang)

I had heard of Operation Julmond and heard some of their mp3-snippets. The description of the style often includes terms such as “dance floor” or “disco”, but still being “power electronics”. Indeed there are some industrial rhythms, danceable in a way, amusing too, but not as innovating as the descriptions may sound, however: “Side 2 could be a collaborational work of Allerseelen and Derniere Volonte in a industrial way”, it says about the “Hate.. And Better Visions”, 7”…

Nothing * The Spine Overshadowed By The Rope (cd 2001? triumvirate)

Why does this name sound so familiar? Did I once have a tape or something released on a Minneapolis- based label? I don’t remember! Anyway, this time you get two 35 minutes tracks. The first is a dark industrial piece of ambient, which is quite enjoyable. The second is an extreme noise live track which is also quite enjoyable. Especially the techno-influences around the end are funny and something which we will see more of lateron.

Nothing * Nondescript (cd 1999 the root of all evil records)

Nothing is a name that sounds pretty familiar, but not a band I had anything of. I have no idea if there are more bands with the same name. Anyway, the logo gives the impression that this is a metalband, while this is not really true.
The cd opens with an atmospheric track (piano, synth) and continues with a dark metaltrack with no guitars. I know this sounds silly, but that is actually exactly what Nothing sounds like. The vocals and drum(computer) remind of metal, but there are synths instead of guitars (I think). The music varies from tranquil to quite heavy. Further you will find industrial, noise, avantgardistic experimentalism, samples and atmospheric tunes.
All in all this is a very varying and strange cd, especially because the vocals are mixed far to the background and the idea that you listen to metal with no guitars. I am not too crazy about this myself.