For those who think they’ve seen this release reviewed before in VW, you’re wrong. The title is the same as six previous ones, I give you that, but that’s just the concept behind this series. Attenuation Circuit has an open window for a sampler series entitled “Thing” and this is number 7. Artists can apply for the series with a maximum of 15 minutes, and Sascha Stadlmeier, who is behind the label, will try to combine submissions until there is a new product where the tracks will fit together. After a fee, the 100 copies are distributed equally between the artists and the label (so, 20 each) and this way, you get a) a nice release and b) the possibility to get distributed amongst an audience of each of the three other projects which might result in getting your project out to a new audience. On this seventh iteration, the artists are Gerald Fiebig, NHWRF, and Gehirn. Implosion and Carsten Vollmer. I think they have been mentioned in VW before, but let’s listen …
Gerald Fiebig is a regular on Attenuation Circuit and his track “The Last Street Song” is a bit weird in my ears. The composition has loads of sudden movements, which is relatively minimal overall. It’s definitely noisy, but I’d personally put it in the experimental pile before I’d put it in the noise pile. There is a whole concept behind the track, with noise being closer to the ‘song of the resistance than the international’, but that concept doesn’t really bloom here i.m.h.o.
From the first tones, the second track is more up my alley. NHWRF’s massive droney noisy layers in his track “Moist Like DP—Dead Blood” are impressive. This track evolves organically based on particular well—chosen or well—generated samples. There is constant movement, and even though it’s a bit limited in dynamics (it’s constantly harsh with loads of bass), there is more than enough happening to keep it interesting—fully saturated basses.
The third track is for Gehirn. Implosion with their massive “Wir sind die Erinnerung” (translated: We are (the) memory). Relatively high-pitched noise where a lot is happening, yet nothing is happening. A harsh noise drone if people would ever need an example to define a genre. It’s noisy as hell, but if you read what it’s about, three older tracks played together and recorded as-is. ‘Because while the memory of our experiences shapes us, we are also yearning not to be completely determined by them’. Nice!
The final track is Carsten Vollmer, and those who haven’t heard of him have been asleep since the early 90s. With his alter ego, Bär & Co, he was present on the first sampler cassette on the legendary Ant-Zen label. Under his name, he makes feedback noise, and we all know feedback is hard to control. But because of his experience over the years, Carsten manages perfectly. “Respect Thee Runes” or “Respect the ruins”? It doesn’t matter. After 13 minutes of feedback your ears are happy for the silence that remains.
Just under an hour of four different types of noise. And you can order five of those doctors for only 20 euros, including this one. So, if you feel explorative, check Bandcamp or the website in the links. This one is a stayer in my collection!
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