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Merzbow: Cafe OTO [2 CDs] (Cold Spring Records)

A live and extended performance of brutal but shifting sonic assault performed before an appreciative audience at London's Cafe OTO in 2016, a solo performance from Japanese noise legend Masami Akita, AKA Merzbow, each of the 2 CDs in this set more than 50 minutes of tightly controlled electronic mayhem from the unremitting determination of one of the globe's masters of noise.
 

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Masami Akita-electronics


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UPC: 641871746187

Label: Cold Spring Records
Catalog ID: CSR 331CD
Squidco Product Code: 34100

Format: 2 CDs
Condition: New
Released: 2023
Country: UK
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold
Recorded live at Cafe OTO, in London UK, on October 1st, 2016, by Shaun Crook.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"A documentation of prolific Japanese noise master Merzbow's double show at London's Cafe OTO in October 2016. Rhythm-driven and rammed with highly sculpted frequencies, Akita's sound is entirely remorseless. Furious squalls and delicate sine-warps post this one on the more psychedelic end of Akita's output. Truly relentless, it is still hard to believe he created "Untitled Knife I" on a casual Saturday afternoon. Be careful with that volume. Double CD in a matt-finish gatefold ecopak with photography by Masami Akita."-Cold Spring


Artist Biographies

"Masami Akita, born December 19, 1956, better known by his stage name Merzbow, is a Japanese noise musician. Since 1980, he has released over 400 recordings. The name Merzbow comes from the German dada artist Kurt Schwitters' artwork Merzbau (German pronunciation: [ˈmɛʁtsˌbaʊ̯]), in which Schwitters transformed the interior of his house using found objects. The name was chosen to reflect Akita's dada influence and junk art aesthetic. In addition to this, Akita has cited a wide range of musical influences from progressive rock, heavy metal, free jazz, and early electronic music to non-musical influences like dadaism, surrealism, and fetish culture. Since the early 2000s, he has been inspired by animal rights and environmentalism, and has become a vegan.

As well as being a prolific musician, he has been a writer and editor for several books and magazines in Japan, and has written several books of his own. He has written about a variety of subjects, mostly about music, modern art, and underground culture. His more renowned works were on the topics of BDSM and Japanese bondage. Other art forms Akita has been interested in include painting, photography, filmmaking, and Butoh dance. In 2000, Extreme Records released the 50 CD box set known as the Merzbox. Akita's work has been the subject of several remix albums and at least one tribute album. This, among other achievements, has helped Merzbow to be regarded by some as the "most important artist in noise"."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merzbow)
4/24/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



CD 1



1 Untitled Knife I (50:06)

CD 2



1. Untitled Knife II (54:52)

Related Categories of Interest:


Electro-Acoustic
Sound, Noise, &c.
Japanese & Asian Improv/Rock
Solo Artist Recordings
New in Experimental & Electronic Music
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