Merzbow/Shora - Switching Rethorics split [2002]

So this is one of the more interesting splits you're likely to hear in the near future. If you have any knowledge of noise whatsoever you're almost certain to know of the crazy Masami Akita, otherwise known as Merzbow. On the other side of this split is the Swiss band Shora, who despite having turned to wishy-washy post-rock on their most recent album Malval actually play a decent brand of angular, chaotic hardcore in the vein of mid-era Converge here (and I believe this is the only release in which they actually use vocals). The two styles juxtapose surprisingly well (the Merzbow side is in his post-millenium style - I'd name a release but there's so fucking many). Seriously, both acts are very impressive here. Go for it.

192 kbps

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Merzbow - Live Khabarovsk, CCCP (I'm Proud By Rank Of The Workers) [1988]

This is the a legendary live session, and the legend tells that when Merzbow was performing a series of shows in Russia and the first one got stopped for being too loud and he was "requested" to slow down. So the result was this the two following live sessions the first is the most noisy and the second is a very rhythmic track,both tracks are very jazz influenced, feature processed radio sound pieces and parts of the Batzokai album on background. Also at this point Merzbow was still a group and Kyoshi Mizutani played guitar and piano, while Akita played drums, electronics and various preparated instruments.

Also no artwork available since this was released has part of the Merzbox.

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Merzbow - Fantail [2002]

Time to present you the two slightly lighter Merzbow works that I know (and like).

Fantail is a harsh noise work built on melodic guitar, songs usually start slow and then build up to noisy noise (some more than others). For those who dislike harsh noise and those who dislike Merzbow's harsher works like Pulse Demon, Tombo and stuff can get a pretty good starting point here. (also Clouds and Waterfall are two awesome awesome songs).

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Boris With Merzbow - Klatter [2011]

The cover art is intriguing, just like the music on offer here. Two pioneering Japanese artists collaborate here, as they have done many times before. This is mainly Boris-style, with a bit of Masami Akita mixed in. I'll admit I'm not a fan of much of Boris' output, particularly this year's, but this is good.

~250 kbps VBR

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Merzbow - 13 Japanese Birds Volume 2: Fukurou [2009]

Both the name and the music of this, Merzbow's second instalment in the 13 Japanese Birds series are highly entertaining. The former in the provision of an immature giggle or two, the latter in that it provides a stellar piece of noise for one to listen to and take in.

~205 kbps VBR

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Merzbow - 13 Japanese Birds Volume 1: Suzume [2009]

Although they're not generally highly rated in the context of Merzbow's back catalogue, the 13 Japanese Birds series was my introduction to Merzbow, and as such, they hold a special place for me (even though it was only 3 or 4 months ago). Basically noise with an undercurrent of drumming.

~210 kbps VBR

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Merzbow - Pulse Demon [1995]

Starting at the artwork, and certainly not finishing there, this is a mindfuck of an album. Merzbow, aka Masami Akita, has long been one of the bastions of excellence for the noise scene, and this is widely considered to be his best work.

~196 kbps VBR

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