Browse by Artist: MERZBOW

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Door Open At 8 A.M.
Label:	ALIEN8 RECORDINGS (CANADA)
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	ALIEN 017CD

"Introducing Masami Akita's homage to free-jazz. Door Open at 8am is one of the most adventurous outings made by Merzbow. Recorded during the same era as Aqua Necromancer, this new recording also incorporates the use of sampled sounds. However, this time Akita is paying homage to his love of free jazz, free-jazz drummers to be precise. It includes tracks such as Tony Williams 'Deathspace', 'Lyons Wake', 'Metro and Bus' and an unbelievable cover of John Coltrane's 'The Africa Brass Session, Vol 2'. Aside from the absolutely scorching Coltrane cover, the listener is treated to a variety of sounds never before captured on record. Aside from Masami's trademark blasts of noise, meticulously crafted into gorgeous sound collages, he introduces a much greater importance on the use of subtleties and breaks of silence. There is also a strong electro-acoustic quality surrounding Door Open at 8am, this was also displayed on his recent Tzadik release, 1930."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Animal Magnetism
Label:	ALIEN8 RECORDINGS (CANADA)
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	ALIEN 038CD

"On this latest release Akita blends his passion for guitars and more rhythmic elements of progressive rock, metal and his love for animals, even bringing to life the sounds of his very own pet chickens to mind bending results. It is truly incredible when the chickens appear amidst dense layers of ambient noise and actually add the percussive elements to the piece. Aside from the title track, pieces like 'Super Sheep' continue with the animal theme and add a sense of humor to the music. While a lot of people have criticized Akita for not changing his sound and style, this charge is completely false. Over the last few years, since moving away from his custom-made instruments and concentrating much more on laptop as his main instrument, Akita has come up with some of his best recordings."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Rainbow Electronics 2
Label:	DEXTER'S CIGAR
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	DEX 006CD

1996 release on Jim O'Rourke's old label, surprisingly repressed for 2008. First non-reissue on this label -- an unreleased companion to the 1990 Alchemy label masterpiece. "The designation 'Rainbow' contrasts with the odd colorlessness of the many noise records. Like Voice Crack, this is power electronics at its most detailed, most subtly varied, and most exhaustively kinetic. It doesn't stop. It's a thrill every two seconds, for seventy-five minutes... It splits into halves, quarters, and more unwieldy f(r)actions. It splits prime numbers... it's the closest we've found to an infinite palette."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Camouflage
Label:	ESSENCE MUSIC (BRAZIL)
Format:	CD
Price:	$19.00
Catalog #:	ESS 012CD

"The elemental excitement for each new Merzbow album remains intact among us here and, after four long years, the indisputable master returns to Essence Music with a new installment of his unique brand of harsh psychedelic noise assault. A bit distant from Sha Mo 3000s pulsing, often rhythmic strategies or the recent albums featuring freestyle drums by Masami Akita himself, Camouflage plays by the more straight Merzbow rules, going back to his comfort zone of audio barbarism. We salute the ferocious torrents of abused, imploding and exploding electronics, the sharp, pulverizing and abrasive high frequencies and the unrelenting punishment of frenzied throbbing machine-screams witnessed in the controlled cacophonic environment of Camouflage! Presented in our deluxe, sturdy gatefold mini-LP packaging featuring intriguing psychedelic collages by Mr. Akita. Limited to 800 copies."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Merzbox
Label:	EXTREME (AUSTRALIA)
Format:	50CD
Price:	$585.00
Catalog #:	XCD LTD003BX

Restocked! This 50 CD Merzbow as released in the year 2000. "Fifty CDs providing as many hours of Merzbow noise music. The collection spans from 1979 to 1997, 18 years of sonic decomposition. Many of the titles were only available as cassettes and have long since been deleted. Five LPs and a CD, which were originally released in limited numbers and have since been deleted, are now reissued in the Merzbox. Also included are 20 discs that have previously never been released. All CDs have four color cover labels, featuring new Merzbow artwork. All CDs are exclusive to the Merzbox." Comes with an interactive CD-Rom, Merzdallion, Merzshirt, Merzcards, Merzstickers, Merzposter, all wrapped up in a "fetish-rubber" Merzcase.

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Amlux
Label:	IMPORTANT RECORDS
Format:	CD
Price:	$11.00
Catalog #:	IMPREC 002CD

"Alas, Merzbow's masterpiece Amlux has arrived. Highly anticipated, and referred to as 'the definitive modern Merzbow record,' Amlux finds Masami Akita moving into new territory in terms of sound and production. Amlux throbs with industrial ambient drones and drum/guitar samples that slowly glide into eruptive filtered noise before evolving back into industrial-ambient bliss. It is rich in texture and much more sophisticated and evolved than most Merzbow records to date. Amlux proves that Masami Akita is much more than just the king of noise. A major selling point for Amlux is that it is the source material for a major Merzbow remix cd/lp to be released later this year on Important Records. Tentatively titled 'Merzmix,' this remix album will feature Alec Empire, Bola, Chicks on Speed, Jack Dangers, Acid Mothers Temple, DJ Spooky, Arto Lindsay, KK Null, Masami Akita, Sonic Boom and a few others who are currently unconfirmed. Remixers were asked to use Amlux as source material for original compositions, rather than being restricted to remixing one particular track. The results thus far have been astounding."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Merzbeat
Label:	IMPORTANT RECORDS
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	IMPREC 004CD

"Merzbeat tands in stark contrast to all releases in Merzbow's post-analog, digital laptop-era. Containing over 50 minutes of brand new aggressive, psychedelic, organic, analog beat oriented Merzbow compositions, Merzbeat will be quite a treat for Merzbow fans who have been disappointed with modern Merzbow records. Drummed rhythms, a punk spirit and a return to analog Merzbow. KID 606 called it 'one of the greatest thing Merzbow has ever done.' The first pressing of also has a hidden remix of Amlux by Jack Dangers of Meat Beat Manifesto."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Ikebana: Merzbow's Amlux
Label:	IMPORTANT RECORDS
Format:	2CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	IMPREC 016CD

"Artists were asked to use Merzbow's album Amlux as an instrument in an original composition, rather than to perform the conventional remix. We hoped that this would allow the artist to flourish with greater creative freedom and a less restrictive context. We didn't want to fit this project into any sub-genre of music. We wanted it to simply exist. Perhaps the beat oriented tracks, record scratching and vocals will annoy some Noise purists, and perhaps the noisy sound collages will irritate others, but hopefully this collection of tracks from some of the best electronic artists working today will enlighten the listener. Music is sound and sound is everywhere, regardless of classification." Remixers include: Jack Dangers, DJ Spooky, Luke Vibert, Alec Empire, Kawabata Makoto, Cornelius, Kid 606, Negativland, Nobukazu Takemura, Atom, Chicks On Speed, Experimental Audio Research, Bola, Kim Hiorthoy, Staalplaat Sound System, Lasse Marhaug, Kim Cascone, Freiband, Nau-zee-aun, Kurt Weisman, Raub Roy, Instavoid, Custom Drummer, John Wiese, Zipperspy, DJ Rupture.

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Merzbuddha
Label:	IMPORTANT RECORDS
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	IMPREC 052CD

"What did you listen to last summer? Masami Akita, otherwise know as Merzbow, spent most of his summer listening to Horace Andy, Dennis Bovel, Keith Hudson and a whole pipe full of other dub mavericks. That's probably why this brand new full length, with cover art by Jenny Akita, is dripping with deep bass riffage and a whole lot of electronic dub vibes and beats. Merzbuddha is third in the series of Merz-titled releases following in the audio footsteps of the flagship release Merzbeat. With the same reverence for crushing analog beats, weaving noise textures and a compositional complexity Masami Akita switches direction and dubs it up. Imagine The New Blockaders in an audio blender with King Tubby and you're not even halfway there."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Merzbuta
Label:	IMPORTANT RECORDS
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	IMPREC 070CD

"Merzbow's back (you knew he would be) with another release in the popular Merz series on Important Records. This time Masami Akita has returned with Merzbuta (Buta means pig in Japanese) and he's looking back to the last 3 discs in the Merzbox as his primary influence for these recordings. This means that for the first time in a long time he has recorded his EMS Synthi model 'A.' Don't expect to hear anything from this record in a Volkswagen advertisement but Merzbuta is Merzbow's most approachable release yet."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Merzbear
Label:	IMPORTANT RECORDS
Format:	CD
Price:	$13.00
Catalog #:	IMPREC 136CD

"Author, activist, painter and sound artist Masami Akita had been at the foreground of experimental music for over 25 years. Inspired by psychedelic rock, free jazz, early electronic composition as well the physical arts, especially Kurt Schwitters' Merzbau, Masami Akita has created a musical language all his own. Merzbear is the sixth Merzbow release in his utterly essential Merz series for Important Records. Merzbear pulses and pounds with distorted droning heavy guitar feedback, pulsing noise-blasts and the swirling analog sounds of Akita's distinct EMS Sythi. Like most of Merzbow's recordings, Merzbear is a significant document of his ever evolving improvisational style. Slowly, he's been moving away from his pure laptop era and re-incorporating elements of his pre-laptop analog days w/ his homemade junk guitar, EMS Synthi & electronics. This hybrid sound brings the past into the present and pounds with total junk-collage Dada urgency as only Masami Akita can do it. Cover art by Jenny Akita."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Dolphin Sonar
Label:	IMPORTANT RECORDS
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	IMPREC 205CD

"Author, activist, painter and sound artist Masami Akita had been at the foreground of experimental music for over 25 years. Inspired by psychedelic rock, free jazz, early electronic composition as well the physical arts, especially Kurt Schwitters' Merzbau, Masami Akita has created a musical language all his own. Dolphin Sonar is Merzbow's full length protest album against the annual brutal slaughtering of some 2,500 dolphins in Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture Japan. This is an angry album full of beats, blasts and broken glass. Clattering smashes are pursued by pulsing analog whirls like the heart of a dolphin being chased through the bloodied waters of Taiji. Filtered blasts of pummel and sound slaughter. Another Merzbow classic with the finest cover art money can buy by Jenny Akita. Liner notes from the activist group Sea Shephard."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Suzume: 13 Japanese Birds Pt. 1
Label:	IMPORTANT RECORDS
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	IMPREC 230CD

"On the flagship release to his 13 month/13 CD series, Masami Akita, herein known as Merzbow, returns to his drumset to accompany his complex analogue noise. His prowess as a drummer rivals his abilities as a noise artist making this an essential and exciting entry into the Merzbow cannon. Merzbow's 13 Japanese Birds is a 13 month series of releases inspired by Olivier Messiaen's Catalogue D'Oiseaux. Beginning in January 2009 one volume of 13 Japanese Birds will be released each month. The 13th and final volume will be released January 2010."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Kamo: 13 Japanese Birds Pt. 6
Label:	IMPORTANT RECORDS
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.00
Catalog #:	IMPREC 256CD

Featuring opening track "Bird killer Governor Ishihara deserves to die." Pictured in the liner notes: a reflective Masami Akita sitting on some cement steps. "Merzbow's 13 Japanese Birds is a 13 month series of releases inspired by Olivier Messiaen's Catalogue D'Oiseaux. Beginning in January 2009 one volume of 13 Japanese Birds will be released each month. The 13th and final volume will be released January 2010. Each volume will be a one time pressing of 1000 copies. Cover art by Jenny Akita."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Batztoutai With Material Gadgets
Label:	RRR
Format:	2CD
Price:	$9.00
Catalog #:	RRR CD06

Repressed, new packaging in paper sleeve with xerox cover; cheaper than before (but less money, too). Sub-titled: De-Composed Works 1985-86. Disk 1 is a remix of the long o/p RRR DBLP (with this new retrospective note: "Fake electro acoustic music dedicated to GRM/INA, Wergo, DG, Phillips & Erato recording artists"). Disk 2 is called "Loop Panic Limited," and is a recording of loud/dense cut ups from various records; recorded 1985-86. One of the classic Merzbow recordings.

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Eucalypse
Label:	SOLEILMOON RECORDINGS
Format:	CD
Price:	$26.00
Catalog #:	SOL 154CD

"The Tasmanian Blue Gum tree, Eucalyptus Globulus, is native to Tasmania and southern Australia. Eucalyptus trees are uniquely suited to the varied ecologies of Australia, and there is no other continent more closely associated with one genus of tree. Its leaves are the food of choice of the koala, and its flowers attract bees and hummingbirds. Out of approximately 300 identified species, Blue Gums are now the eucalyptus most frequently found in other parts of the world. Throughout the tropics they are known for their ability to dry out swampy areas, making them a valuable weapon in the fight against malaria, a disease caused by parasites carried in female Anopheles mosquitos, which breed in standing water. Eucalyptus Globulus was first brought to India in the late 18th century. Large plantations were establish in Kerala in 1863, but other than small amounts of oil distilling, little use has been made of the fast growing trees. Instead, they have thrived in the moist, foggy hills, spreading far across the landscape and transforming the ecosystem in the process. With their deep roots they lower water tables, depriving native species of the moisture necessary to survive the annual dry season, while the anti-bacterial properties of the 'blue gum' secretions they drop on the soil further suppress the germination and growth of other plants. An ancient and intricate web of life has been disrupted, and native plants, insects and animals are being driven to extinction. Humans, who have long been a part of the local ecosystem, are adaptable and will survive, but the biodiversity of an entire region is under threat from a single exotic species. It is truly a eucalyptus apocalypse. It is a eucalypse. At Soleilmoon, packaging and presentation are never overlooked. This release comes in a hand-crafted round wooden box with screenprinted swiveling lid. The box contains one CD and four full-color cards. Only 1,000 copies of this handsome CD have been made, and there will be no follow-up editions released."

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	Sphere
Label:	TZADIK
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.50
Catalog #:	TZ 7256

"Another wild and wonderful celebration of noise from the singular Japanese pioneer who started it all. Active in live noise electronics since 1978, Akita Masami is an international cult figure, and for his second Tzadik release we are once again treated to music unlike anything he has ever done before. Mixing a whole new world of acoustic percussion and drumming into his enormous arsenal of analog and digital noise makers, Sphere is one of Merzbow's most startling and unique creations. A powerful symphony of noise from one of Japan's most important musical thinkers."

Previous Page Index of Artists Next Page

Artist:	MERZBOW
Title:	24 Hours -- A Day Of Seals
Label:	DIRTER PROMOTIONS (UK)
Format:	4CD
Price:	$32.00
Catalog #:	DPROM 050CD