[2011] Masami Akita, Mats Gustafsson & Jim O'Rourke - One Bird Two Bird

One of the most interesting releases in which Jim O'Rourke participates this year (the other would be the Ambarchi/O'Rourke/Haino followup of Tima Formosa), One Bird Two Bird is one of the best collabs I've listened in quite a while. I can quite see why Masami Akita is credited with his real name and not his usual monicker (Merzbow), considering his contributions are actually low key and in tune with the building improvisations as the album progresses, of which O'Rourke and Gustafsson (The Thing) are mainly responsible for (and as far of the latter goes, his sax goes crazy on Two Bird, the most awe-inducing track of this album). Without a doubt,  the most intense free improv collab I've heard this year so far.

Download it here: [V0]

Buy it directly from Editions Mego here.

[2011] Stephen O'Malley & Atsuo - Uroborus Circuit

Recorded back in 2006 during that whole period in which Boris and Sunn O))) were also recording Altar, Uroborus Circuit is definitely not what I'd expect from a collaboration between these two musicians. First of all it doesn't have any instruments, which throws out of the window the idea that Atsuo might've contributed drums here; it also doesn't have any sort of recognizable structure aside from the tones overlapping here and there. This is very minimal, consisting on feedback manipulation, hardly resembling guitar feedback due to its subtle, harsh tone, not too different from O'Malley's later works in Table of Elements (Keep An Eye Out).

Download it here: [V0]


Buy it directly from Inoxia Records here.

[2011] Boris with Merzbow - Klatter

Formerly known as Mellow Peak and due to be released years ago, it's the latest original collab between Boris and Merzbow since Sun Baked Snow Cave. Musically speaking it's closer to the original material in Rock Dream (the noisiest jams present on the first disc) and the best moments out of classic albums like Feedbacker, with the buzzed out solos and heavy, reverberated riffiing. Even though it has the least drone-oriented material they've released with Merzbow (which isn't a bad thing at all) it just shows they're capable of taking the best of their rock-oriented material and level it to heavier grounds.

Download it here: [V0]


Buy it directly from Daymare Recordings here (recommend using Google Translate).

[1998] Keiji Haino With Boris - Black: Implication Flooding

First live collaboration of Boris with the well-known noise/free improviser Keiji Haino. Unlike other collabs, this one really outshines Boris, focusing a lot more in Haino's frantic vocals and guitar fiddling. I consider it great, actually. It brings a lot of Boris' heaviest moments in a live session, which is often mistaken as being only present in albums like Feedbacker or Amplifier Worship (which are slow building and relying on heavy riffs); in this album we have a lot of feedback usage, fast, free-form drumming, and unusual traditional instruments (via Haino). Fully recommended to those wanting to explore unheard of facets of this excellent band.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from Inoxia Records here.

[2008] Tetragrammaton - Elegy For Native Tongues

Debut of this japanese drone/psych folk trio (their second album was released by Utech Records this year), which mixes the slow building structure of drone music with a dense layer of free jazz and traditional instruments manipulated via electronic equipment. There's few groups going for a similar approach (as far as I know), so this is one of these albums worthy of praise. For fans of free improvisation and drone music unlike most minimalist releases out there.

Download it here: [V0]


Buy it directly from Subvalent here.

[2007] Sachiko - Kunado

Unobxtrusive noise/drone solo project of Sachiko, it uses her own vocals layered in dense noise walls, creating interesting soundscapes not unlike other noise/noise-rock bands from the same country, but keeping it low key. For those interested in noise music that goes beyond the violent, harsh atmospheres typical of the genre.

Download it here: [V0]


Buy it directly from Utech Records here.

[2010] Hasegawa-Shizuo (長谷川静男) - 離俯土 (Lift)

Electro-acoustic improvisation done by one of the most interesting japanese duos focused on noise experimentation, this is one of their best works to date. Using unusual tools for their improvisations (traditional japanese instruments) and looped arrangements, this album is easily one of their best works to date. A single song, going through several loops and sound alterations, turns into a light-headed listen spite of its chaotic content.

Download it here: [320][V0]

Buy it directly from Utech Records here.

[2010] Acid Eater - Black Fuzz on Wheels

Masonna's noise rock band, Acid Eater only calls for badassery. Awesome rock tunes, showing a side of Masonna that's closer to regular music than his other works. Certainly one of this year's highlights of the genre.

Download it here: [320]

[2010] Aural Fit - 無貌無想 (Mubomuso)

Psychedelic noise-rock, with a big emphasis in noise, is what Aural Fit is about. This japanese trio, like many of their contemporaries, created a highly dissonant album full of noise and dark atmospheres in which psychedelics is the main purpose. Definitely not for the faint, this album will surely please fans of the genre.

Download it here: [V0]

Buy it directly from Utech Records here.