Merzbox

Merzbox
Box set by Merzbow
Released June 16, 2000 (2000-06-16)
Recorded December 27, 1979 – March 30, 1997
Genre Noise, free improvisation, industrial
Length 49:54:47
Label Extreme
Producer Masami Akita
Merzbow chronology
Happenings 1000 Years Time Ago
(1999)		 Merzbox
(2000)		 Live at Radio 100
(2000)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Chunkletambivalent[2]
Epicharmusfavorable[3]
Stylusneutral[4]

Merzbox is a box set compilation by the Japanese noise musician Merzbow. It consists of 50 CDs spanning Merzbow's career from 1979 to 1997. 30 discs are taken from long out of print releases, while 20 are composed mainly of unreleased material. The box also contains two CD-ROMs, six CD-sized round cards, six round stickers, a poster, a black long-sleeve T-shirt, a medallion, and the Merzbook, all packaged together in a "fetish" black rubber box. It is limited to 1000 numbered copies.[5][6] A Merzbox Sampler was released in 1997.

The Merzbook, subtitled The Pleasuredome of Noise, is a 132-page hardcover book written by Brett Woodward with over 100 images. It contains an extensive biography, culled from previous interviews and articles, a new interview, and essays by Achim Wollscheid, Jim O'Rourke, Damion Romero, Eugene Thacker, and Jonathan Walker. Masami Akita provides extensive liner notes for each disc. The book was also released separately with the Merzrom included.

The Merzrom is an interactive multimedia CD-ROM, designed by Troy Innocent. A second CD-ROM contains various Extreme press and a catalog. The "Merzdallion" medallion was designed by Marcus Davidson. Art direction and design were by Doriana Corda. Audio mastering was by François Tétaz.

History

Extreme's original plan was to reissue Collaborative, their only vinyl release, for the label's tenth anniversary. There was then discussion of reissuing other early releases, with talk of a ten disc box, the number was finally set at 50 discs. The Merzbox was originally scheduled for release in late 1997, and available for pre-order, but kept getting delayed until it was finally released in 2000.[7][8] It was officially launched on June 16, 2000 at Sónar, Barcelona, where Merzbow also performed.

Those who had pre-ordered received a two CD album called Decomposition with remixes of Eugene Thacker and Shane Fahey followed by the original tracks, the Merzbox Sampler, and two posters.[9] These were then made available with purchase of the Merzbox for extra money.

The Merzbox was exhibited at Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna from April 4 to April 7, 2002. Merzbow performed opening and closing concerts. All 60 hours were webcast live.[10]

In December 2002, Georgia Tech's student-run radio station WREK broadcast the entire 50-disc Merzbox without interruption. An article in Creative Loafing described the Merzbow Marathon as "what may be the most obscure and counterintuitive move in the history of radio."

Between the final recordings of the set and its release, Merzbow switched to using a laptop, having first acquired a Macintosh to work on the artwork for the set.[6]

Masami Akita has stated in a 2009 interview that he has enough unreleased material for another 50 CD box.[11] Between 2010 and 2013, he released four 10 box sets of unreleased raw material recorded from 1987 to 1997; Merzbient, Merzphysics, Merzmorphosis, and Duo. 2012 also saw the release of Lowest Music & Arts 1980–1983, a 10 LP box set that included some full-length albums only partially released in the Merzbox.

Album listing

OM Electrique

OM Electrique
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded December 27, 1979 at home
Length 58:38

The first noise recordings of Merzbow. Previously unreleased.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "OM Electrique Part 1"   31:17
2. "OM Electrique Part 2"   7:55
3. "Untitled Taped Drum Solo"   8:59
4. "Untitled Guitar Solo"   10:25

Personnel

Metal Acoustic Music

Metal Acoustic Music
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded January 1980 at home
Length 46:59

Earliest Merzbow recording available until the release of the Merzbox.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Balance of Neurosis"   46:59

Notes

Personnel

Remblandt Assemblage

Remblandt Assemblage
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1980 at home
Length 53:19

First work using tape manipulation. Only a few copies distributed.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Remblandt Assemblage"   9:44
2. "Voice of Scwitters"   2:09
3. "Theme of Dadaist"   9:39
4. "Hans Arp"   1:47
5. "Tape Dada"   5:52
6. "Music Concret"   2:34
7. "Prepared Guitar Solo 1"   17:32
8. "Prepared Guitar Solo 2"   3:59

Notes

Personnel

Collection Era Vol. 1

Collection Era Vol. 1
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1981 at various locations
Length 66:16

The three Collection Era discs are compiled from the ten volume Collection series. The first five volumes were recorded for Ylem and consist of studio sessions with Kiyoshi Mizutani. However, Ylem went out of business before they could be released. Masami Akita then released them himself and recorded five more at home using previous Collection session recordings mixed with new material and effects.

No. Title Length
1. "Electric Environment"   24:00
2. "Untitled Material Action"   23:57
3. "Telecom Manipulation"   18:18

Notes

Personnel

Collection Era Vol. 2

Note: The contents of CD 5 and CD 6 were switched (5 has eight tracks and 6 has seven), the info below is as it appears in the Merzbook.

Collection Era Vol. 2
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1981 at various locations
Length 66:45
No. Title Length
1. "Merz Rock 1"   1:58
2. "Merz Rock 2"   8:23
3. "Merz Gamlan 1"   15:54
4. "Merz Gamlan 2"   5:55
5. "Merz Scat"   11:29
6. "Merztronics Jazz Mix"   11:45
7. "Merztronics Rhythm Mix"   11:17

Notes

Personnel

Collection Era Vol. 3

Collection Era Vol. 3
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1981–1982 at Lowest Music & Arts
Length 66:56
No. Title Length
1. Untitled   5:17
2. Untitled   5:59
3. Untitled   10:35
4. Untitled   6:13
5. Untitled   4:53
6. Untitled   6:51
7. Untitled   3:14
8. Untitled   22:52

Notes

Personnel

Paradoxa Paradoxa

Paradoxa Paradoxa
Live album by Merzbow
Recorded March 22, 1981 at Kid Ailack Art Hall, Tokyo
Length 72:23

The first Merzbow live performance.

No. Title Length
1. "Paradoxa Paradoxa Pt. 1"   46:14
2. "Paradoxa Paradoxa Pt. 2"   26:08

Notes

Personnel

Material Action for 2 Microphones

Material Action for 2 Microphones
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded July 1981 at Mizutani home studio, Kasai
Length 70:45

"Material Action" was a term for using household objects to make quiet sounds, which were then amplified, inspired by John Cage's "Cartridge Music". The term itself was taken from Otto Muehl. This recording was used as raw material for other works such as Material Action 2 N.A.M.

No. Title Length
1. "Hoochie Coochie Scratched Man"   25:31
2. "Yumin, Non Stop Disco"   21:14
3. "New Acoustic Music No. 7"   23:58

Notes

Personnel

Yantra Material Action

Yantra Material Action
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1981 at various locations
Length 42:33

Originally intended to be the first Merzbow LP, but it went unreleased. Six months later the label then asked again to release the LP, but Akita decided to record new material – which became Material Action 2 N.A.M. Includes reworks of past recordings with added effects and new instrumentation. The liner notes were to have been written by Fred Frith, who heard the tape and liked it.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. Untitled   11:25
2. Untitled   2:52
3. Untitled   1:48
4. Untitled   4:37
5. Untitled   1:06
6. Untitled   8:40
7. Untitled   7:26
8. Untitled   4:35

Notes

Personnel

Solonoise

Solonoise
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1982 at Lowest Music & Arts
Length 69:58

Solonoise means "Solar-Noise", inspired by Georges Bataille's The Solar Anus.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Solonoise Pt. 1"   23:55
2. "Solonoise Pt. 2"   23:42
3. "Solonoise Pt. 3"   22:21

Notes

Personnel

Expanded Music

Expanded Music
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1982 at Lowest Music & Arts
Length 65:24

Conceptual works manipulating various inputs using feedback processed audio mixer. Inspired by Stan Brakhage's scratched films.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Manipulation 1"   17:37
2. "Manipulation 2"   5:28
3. "Manipulation 3"   6:36
4. "Manipulation 4"   3:53
5. "Manipulation 5"   2:51
6. "Manipulation 6"   2:15
7. "Manipulation 7"   1:57
8. "Manipulation 8"   5:45
9. "M.F.S.W 1"   18:58

Notes

Personnel

Nil Vagina Tape Loops

Nil Vagina Tape Loops
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1982 at Lowest Music & Arts
Length 75:26

Featuring a four track tape recorder found in the street. A different sound was recorded on each track, and then played back randomly.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Nil Vagina Tape Loop No. 0"   14:08
2. "Nil Vagina Tape Loop No. 1"   30:19
3. "Nil Vagina Tape Loop No. 2"   28:28

Personnel

Notes

Material Action 2 N.A.M

Material Action 2 N.A.M
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded September–October 1982 at Junktion Music Works, Tokyo
Length 40:59

The first Merzbow LP. The 2 in the title refers to Yantra Material Action, which was meant to be the first LP. Sounds include styrofoam and a typesetting machine (Kiyoshi Mizutani worked at a typesetting company at the time). Includes raw material from Material Action for 2 Microphones.

No. Title Length
1. "Nil Ad Mirari"   22:47
2. "Nimbus Alter Magneto Electricity"   18:12

Notes

Personnel

Mechanization Takes Command

Mechanization Takes Command
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1982–1983 at Merz-bau Studio, Machida and ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 69:37

First release on ZSF Produkt. Akita changed the name of his label since he wanted to release other artists. Featuring the Synare 3, which was later destroyed by Bara on stage in the late 90s.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Electric Pygmy Decollage"   14:12
2. "Mechanization Takes Command"   11:01
3. "Peaches Red Indian"   10:46
4. "Sahara"   5:44
5. "Iggy"   3:15
6. "Suicidal Machine"   14:17
7. "Ai-Da-Ho"   10:19

Notes

Personnel

Dying Mapa Tapes 1-2

Dying Mapa Tapes 1-2
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded March 27–28 and May 5, 1982 at Merz-bau, Tokyo
Length 68:33

Title inspired by the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Made with different equipment and instruments than other recordings of the same period. Featuring instruments recorded on tape, then slowed down or played backwards.

No. Title Length
1. "Denegation"   10:07
2. "Indifferent Pt. 1"   6:20
3. "Indifferent Pt. 2"   8:01
4. "Ooinon for Satva Karman (Sprashutavia) Decoup"   21:46
5. "Dharma Kamarage"   22:17

Notes

Personnel

Dying Mapa Tapes 2-3

Dying Mapa Tapes 2-3
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded March 27–28, 1982 at Merz-bau, Tokyo
Length 69:40
No. Title Length
1. "Sukha, Chanda, Tanno, Kless"   23:28
2. "Genetic Erotic (Sie Wiro Weib)"   22:57
3. "Rejet, Ictus, Connotation, Accompagnement, Penisersatz, Stigma Indelible etc."   23:14

Notes

Personnel

Agni Hotra

Agni Hotra
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1984–1985 at ZSF Produkt, Asagaya
Length 63:09

Originally intended to be the second Merzbow LP, but it went unreleased. Includes outtakes from Ushi-Tra, which is from the same period. Loops were included on Loop Panic Limited.

No. Title Length
1. "Agni Hotra"   18:26
2. "Asagaya in Rain"   3:51
3. "Swamp Metal"   6:29
4. "Loops in Flames"   12:30
5. "Arbertus Magnus"   7:14
6. "Kunyan"   7:52
7. "Untitled Waves"   6:45

Notes

Personnel

Pornoise 1kg Vol. 1

Pornoise 1kg Vol. 1
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1984 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 59:17

In the 80s Masami Akita had a mail art project called Pornoise, in which he made collages using discarded magazines – in particular pornographic magazines – taken from the trash. These were then sent along with his cassettes, the idea being that his art was like cheap mail order pornography. Pornoise/1kg was released as part of these activities, the 1kg refers to the total weight of the original package.[12] The voice on "Night Noise White" is taken from the "Halt Tape".

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Industrial"   3:32
2. "Loop Fuck 1"   6:12
3. "Loop Fuck 2"   5:39
4. "Obituary 1"   5:15
5. "Obituary 2"   7:12
6. "Night Noise White"   31:24

Notes

Personnel

Pornoise 1kg Vol. 2

Pornoise 1kg Vol. 2
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1984 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 61:35

Field recordings on "Dynamite Don Don" include street sounds recorded from a moving bicycle, and a house being demolished across from Akita's apartment.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "New Karhma"   31:24
2. "Dynamite Don Don Pt. 1"   16:54
3. "Dynamite Don Don Pt. 2"   13:16

Notes

Personnel

Pornoise 1kg Vol. 3

Pornoise 1kg Vol. 3
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1984 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 59:41

The voice on "UFO vs British Army" is taken from the "Halt Tape". Some other samples are from horror films.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "UFO vs British Army"   30:46
2. "Toy 69"   28:55

Notes

Personnel

Pornoise Extra

Pornoise Extra
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1984 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 59:26

Additional tracks from the Pornoise 1kg sessions. Original release had different track titles.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Flesh Radio 1"   4:49
2. "Flesh Radio 2"   4:51
3. "Dance of Dharma-Kala"   13:29
4. "Psycotic Orange"   0:42
5. "Helgas Death Disco"   5:34
6. "Eros Pandra"   8:28
7. "Kirie"   6:45
8. "Domine"   5:54
9. "Chopin Is Dead"   5:55
10. "Risa Supersex"   2:55

Notes

Personnel

Sadomasochismo/Lampinak

Sadomasochismo/Lampinak
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1985 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 54:57

Includes unused tracks for Batztoutai with Memorial Gadgets

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Antimony Pt. 1"   10:30
2. "Antimony Pt. 2"   13:05
3. "Eyes of Isonokami"   11:44
4. "The Lampinak-Sarpent Power"   10:29
5. "Carcass on the Floor"   4:35
6. "Village of 8 Graves"   4:30

Notes

Personnel

Mortegage/Batztoutai Extra

Mortegage/Batztoutai Extra
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded November 1984 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 62:03

Original recordings for the Batztoutai with Memorial Gadgets album. Includes samples from François Bayle, Conlon Nancarrow, Ivo Malec, Luc Ferrari.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Anus Anvil Anxiety" (long version) 14:40
2. "Radio 1511"   24:01
3. "Mortegage Inc. Batztoutai"   23:21

Notes

Personnel

Enclosure/Libido Economy

Enclosure/Libido Economy
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded July 1987, 1988, November 1989 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 58:04

First of two cassettes made with raw material from Ecobondage, Vratya Southward being the second.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Enclosure"   17:27
2. "Scarabe"   5:33
3. "Interline No. 1-3"   18:10
4. "Itch"   5:39
5. "Libido Economy No. 1"   5:39
6. "Libido Economy No. 2"   5:32

Notes

Personnel

Vratya Southward

Vratya Southward
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1987 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya and July 1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 61:18

Second cassette made with raw material from Ecobondage. "Electric Red Desart" includes a field recording of the Menkake gyōretsu (面掛行列?, mask procession) festival at the Goryō shrine in Kamakura. Masami Akita posted photos of the procession on his blog in 2010.[13]

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Electroacoustic Voyage"   23:47
2. "Electric Red Desart"   18:19
3. "Lightning" (bonus) 19:10

Notes

Personnel

Live in Khabarovsk, CCCP – I'm Proud by Rank of the Workers

Live in Khabarovsk, CCCP – I'm Proud by Rank of the Workers
Live album by Merzbow
Recorded March 23–24, 1988 in Khabarovsk, USSR
Length 57:34

First two of three performances. First performance was stopped for being "too wild", so they then played more conventionally. Includes Batztoutai material on backing tape, and Russian radio.

No. Title Length
1. "Live at Trade Unions Place of Culture Hall 23 March 1988"   29:21
2. "Live at Soviet Army Officers House Hall 24 March 1988"   28:13

Notes

Personnel

Storage

Storage
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded February–April 1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 67:59

Due to issues with sound quality, the recording was edited for the LP release. The full-length recording is released here for the first time. The working title for the album was War Storage, which is now used for the track titles.

No. Title Length
1. "War Storage Pt. 1"   23:02
2. "War Storage Pt. 2"   23:48
3. "War Storage Pt. 3"   21:08

Notes

Personnel

Fission Dialogue

Fission Dialogue
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1987–1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 57:47

Unreleased tracks from Ecobondage and Storage period.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "White Gamlan"   16:27
2. "Fission Dialogue"   9:08
3. "Inside Tangues in Tera-Aspic"   32:11

Personnel

Collaborative

Collaborative
Studio album by Merzbow + S.B.O.T.H.I.
Recorded 1988
Length 48:11
Producer Masami Akita, Achim Wollscheid

Essay by Jonathan Walker from the original LP is reprinted in the Merzbook.

No. Title Length
1. "Joint" (Merzbow + S.B.O.T.H.I.) 20:51
2. "Code-Geräusch-Aggregate" (S.B.O.T.H.I. + Merzbow) 20:12
3. "Jointed" (Merzbow) 7:06

Notes

Personnel

Crocidura Dsi Nezumi

Crocidura Dsi Nezumi
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded August 1987 and August 1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 63:07

"Unplugged noise" made using household objects; violin sound is violin bow on plastic cassette case or wood, acoustic guitar is a rubber band, Tibetan trumpet is a toilet paper tube, electrical sounds are made with metal. "Environmental drums" are the floor, gas stove, the spring of a table lamp.

Names are taken from the Latin names of the Dsinezumi Shrew, Japanese stoat, and Japanese least weasel. Other titles were inspired by Frank Zappa's song "The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet" and Sun Ra's album Strange Strings.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Mustela Erminea Nippon"   23:00
2. "Mustela Sixasa Namiyei" (Including: The Revenge of the Son of Monster Magnet) 23:50
3. "Strange Strings"   16:16

Notes

Personnel

KIR Transformation

KIR Transformation
Live album by Merzbow + Achim Wollscheid
Recorded 1989 at KIR, Hamburg
Length 40:39
Producer Masami Akita, Achim Wollscheid

From a concert with Achim Wollscheid: first Merzbow played, then Wollscheid played using a recording of Merzbow's set, then Merzbow and Wollscheid played together.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita and Achim Wollscheid. 

No. Title Length
1. "KIR Transformation" (Merzbow + Achim Wollscheid) 40:39

Notes

SCUM Vol. 1

SCUM Vol. 1
Studio album by SCUM
Recorded May–December 1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio and various rehearsal studios
Length 59:55

SCUM was project to create new works out of previous Merzbow sessions using cut-ups, effects, and mixing. Name taken from the SCUM Manifesto. The track titles influenced by American post-war art. This was last LP record on ZSF Produkt.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Cockchola"   12:54
2. "Extract 1"   4:21
3. "Extract 2"   5:48
4. "Extract 3"   1:18
5. "Extract 4"   5:59
6. "Kinetic Environment"   11:46
7. "Yeah, But That Was Just Dyke Stuff / Great Nude Variation No. 2"   17:46

Notes

Personnel

SCUM Vol. 2

SCUM Vol. 2
Studio album by SCUM
Recorded May–December 1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio and various rehearsal studios
Length 60:46

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Music for Funk Arts No. 1" (long version) 22:51
2. "Music for Funk Arts No. 2" (long version) 22:09
3. "Great Nude Variation No. 1"   12:05
4. "Extract 5"   3:40

Notes

Personnel

Severances

Severances
Studio album by SCUM
Recorded July 2, 1989 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 61:28

Includes two covers, "Deaf Forever" by Motörhead and the Jimi Hendrix version of "Wild Thing".

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "UP Steel CUM"   16:24
2. "Catabolism Variation Stereo No. 1"   14:02
3. "Deaf Forever / Wild Thing / Electric Shaver Forest / De-Soundtrack Variation No. 1 / Rap the Khabarovsk"   31:01

Notes

Personnel

Steel CUM

Steel CUM
Studio album by SCUM
Recorded 1989 at various locations
Length 56:36

The EP on Vertical Records was remixed and released without permission, with the cover made using one of Masami Akita's collages. "But a result of EP was fine. So, I'm agreed. But EP is still bootleg."[6]

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Mona"   2:51
2. "Great Nude Variation No. 3"   5:57
3. "Duck Exercise"   17:14
4. "Blues in C Minor"   24:23
5. "Body"   6:09

Notes

Personnel

Cloud Cock OO Grand

Cloud Cock OO Grand
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded October 1989 – January 1990 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 78:58

During the European tour in 1989, Masami Akita could only bring simple equipment, and created a new live electronics style, different from his acoustical and tape based studio work, leading to the harsh noise Merzbow became known for in the 1990s. Cloud Cock OO Grand was the first example of this style, Merzbow's first digital recording, and the only CD on ZSF Produkt.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Brain Forest for Metal Acoustic Concret"   23:37
2. "Spinnozaamen"   24:01
3. "Autopussy Go No Go"   7:40
4. "Modular"   15:12
5. "Postfix"   8:26

Notes

Personnel

Newark Hellfire, Live at WFMU, USA

Newark Hellfire, Live at WFMU, USA
Live album by Merzbow
Recorded September 23, 1990 at WFMU Studio, New Jersey
Length 58:45

Radio session from Merzbow's first American tour.

No. Title Length
1. "Newark Hellfire"   58:45

Notes

Personnel

Hannover Cloud

Hannover Cloud
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1990 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 55:28

Features outtakes from Hannover Interruption and Cloud Cock OO Grand. "Rocket Bomber" uses raw materials from Sadomasochismo.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Magnetic Void"   20:35
2. "Rocket Bomber"   15:17
3. "Untitled Cock"   6:13
4. "Autopussy Go No Go 2"   13:22

Notes

Personnel

Stacy Q, Hi-Fi Sweet Leaf

Stacy Q, Hi-Fi Sweet Leaf
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded April–May 1991 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 52:57

Originally made as raw material for "Crash for Hi-Fi", "Wing Over", and "Another Crash for High Tide". Includes the use of a scratched Cloud Cock OO Grand CD.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Decomposed Cockoo"   26:29
2. "Stacy Q, Hi Fi Sweet Leaf"   26:28

Notes

Personnel

Music for True Romance Vol. 1

Music for True Romance Vol. 1
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded May 1992 – 1993 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 59:50

Backing tracks made for True Romance, a performance art project with Seido and Bara.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "True Romance Theme"   3:52
2. "Mystic Cave"   2:27
3. "She Floating-Preparation"   15:43
4. "She Mutilation-Main Ritual"   15:17
5. "Injured Emperial Soldiers Marching Song"   22:29

Notes

Personnel

Brain Ticket Death

Brain Ticket Death
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1993 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 49:56

Track 4 samples Brainticket's self-titled song from their album Cottonwoodhill. It's also a reference to Nurse with Wound, who used the same bit on Brained by Falling Masonry.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Metal of Doom"   6:36
2. "Electric Peekaboo"   3:45
3. "Iron Caravan"   5:33
4. "Brain Ticket Death"   34:01

Personnel

Sons of Slash Noise Metal

Sons of Slash Noise Metal
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1992, February – March 1993 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 60:25

Tracks 1 and 3 were made as raw material for recordings of the same period. Track 2 is a remix of a fragment.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "In-A-Gadda-Da-Veddah"   16:53
2. "Cross Toad"   10:57
3. "Slash Embryo"   32:34

Notes

Personnel

Exotic Apple

Exotic Apple
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1992–1994 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 61:45

Includes Arthur Lyman samples. Yuuri Sunohara is a director, producer, model etc. for Kinbiken/Right Brain. "Apple Rock" includes unused material originally made for Flying Testicle.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Sunohara Youri Is Suzanna Erica"   10:16
2. "Moon Over the Bwana A"   5:30
3. "Apple Rock 1"   14:20
4. "Apple Rock 2"   16:17
5. "Apple Rock 3"   7:23
6. "Apple Rock 4"   7:55

Notes

Personnel

Liquid City

Liquid City
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1994 – January 1995 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 57:12

Originally intended to be part of a CD+CD-ROM called Scatologic Baroque, but it was canceled. The material for the CD-ROM was use for the book Anal Baroque. Part of the "World Trilogy" with Magnesia Nova and Green Wheels. "Liquid City 17-1-95" was recorded on the same day as the Great Hanshin earthquake. "Tiabguls" is a Throbbing Gristle tribute.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Liquid City 17-1-95"   19:11
2. "Dalitech Filters"   21:09
3. "Tiabguls"   9:16
4. "Cheese Car Commando"   7:35

Notes

Personnel

Red Magnesia Pink

Red Magnesia Pink
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded April–August 1995 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 61:20

Outtakes from Red 2 Eyes, Magnesia Nova, and Pinkream.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Minus Zero"   5:57
2. "Etic"   4:08
3. "Delta X"   4:33
4. "Tremolo Man"   10:27
5. "Euclids Pickel"   13:48
6. "Chameleon Body"   9:18
7. "Little Bang!"   7:38
8. "You-Bahn"   5:27

Personnel

Marfan Syndrome

Marfan Syndrome
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded September 1994 – January 1995 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 51:51

"Marfan Syndrome for Blue" is first track to use EMS synthesiser. Track 2 is a reference to Claes Oldenburg, who creates oversized sculptures of everyday objects, including soft sculptures.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Marfan Syndrome for Blue" (remix) 7:07
2. "Oldenbergs Soft Gun"   18:39
3. "Spider Nest Castle Pt. 1"   12:26
4. "Un Br Che"   11:25
5. "Yosef Voice"   2:12

Notes

Personnel

Rhinogradentia

Rhinogradentia
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1995–1996 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 55:36

Named after a fictitious order of mammals. Masami Akita performed solo twice as Zecken, playing this style.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Rhinogradentia"   14:52
2. "Silver Scintillator"   16:41
3. "Narco"   24:02

Notes

Personnel

Space Mix Travelling Band

Space Mix Travelling Band
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1994–1997
Length 59:03

Tracks 1–2 are based on four channel tape: two channels recorded in 1994 and used on tracks of the same period, and two channels of EMS recorded in 1996. Additional EMS and Moog overdub and final mix in 1997.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Travelling 1997"   20:04
2. "Floating Manhattan"   14:06
3. "Hongkong Suite"   24:52

Notes

Personnel

Motorond

Motorond
Live album / Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded January 1997 at ZSF Produkt Studio and March 30, 1997 at Guilty, Tokyo
Length 59:18

Track 1 was most recent live performance when Merzbox was compiled.

No. Title Length
1. "Motorond Pt. 2"   31:25
2. "Motorond Pt. 1"   27:53

Notes

Personnel

Annihiloscillator

Annihiloscillator
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1996 – March 1997 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 60:17

Selection of recent tracks when Merzbox was compiled. Track 3 is a reference to Marguerite Yourcenar's Dark Brain of Piranesi, an essay about Giovanni Battista Piranesi's Carceri prints.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Hair Gun"   13:16
2. "Kyoko Hamuras Air Clyster"   12:14
3. "Black Brain of Piranese"   13:26
4. "Soft Parts 1 & 2"   17:29
5. "Wild Pair"   3:50

Notes

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ McCarthy, Kieran. Merzbow: Merzbox > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  2. ↑ Jim Haynes (2001). "The Merzbox". Chunklet. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  3. ↑ Michael Daddino (2002). "Writing through the Merzbox". Land of a Thousand Dances. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  4. ↑ Todd Burns (August 8, 2002). "Deconstructing the Merzbox". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  5. ↑ "XLTD-003 - Merzbow - Merzbox". Extreme. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 Woodward, Brett (1999). Merzbook: The Pleasuredome of Noise. Melbourne, Australia: Extreme Records. ISBN 0646383264.
  7. ↑ Marc Weidenbaum (April 29, 1997). "Extreme Measures". Disquiet. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  8. ↑ Sebastian Chan (November 24, 2007). "Extreme Records interview". Cyclic Defrost. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  9. ↑ Sundin, Ronnie (January 24, 1999). "Re: am i on the list or what?". Yahoo! Groups. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  10. ↑ Kunstradio webcast
  11. ↑ Roger Batty (December 20, 2009). "The Birds of Noise". Musique Machine. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  12. ↑ Chad Hensley (1999). "The Beauty of Noise: An interview with Masami Akita of Merzbow". EsoTerra. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  13. ↑ "面掛行列". blog.merzbow.net. September 19, 2010. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, October 25, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.