Queen of Noise A/W '16-17 "Akai Ito"

We love a good conceptual narrative and love it even more when it's executed well. Enter the Autumn/Winter 2016-2017 collection by Italian-born, Los Angeles-based Queen of Noise. A relative newcomer to the fashion world, the brand was launched by Italian designer Ambra Zavatta in 2013 and has since made a strong impression with finely tuned collections and handmade, luxurious pieces. We initially discovered the brand through their Spring/Summer 2016 collection, which caught our eye with their dark, moody monochrome looks that are elegant as they are comfortable. We then reached out to the designer and were treated to the upcoming winter collection which we are excited to present to you now.

*click images to enlarge

The name of the collection is "Akai Ito", which translates in Chinese to the "Legend of The Red Thread of Fate". According to this myth, the gods tie an invisible red cord around the ankles of those that are destined to meet one another in a certain situation or help each other in a certain way. The collection is driven by this myth and it shines through the clothes, not only literally but figuratively as well. These are incredibly luxurious pieces that are not only sophisticated but are oozing with sensuality and seductiveness. We love the use of deep red and abstract splashes of color that run through the collection. The materials are all top quality and utilize fine Italian craftsmanship. Our favorites pieces are the black and red robe that feels equal parts evening wear and intimate. The all black jacket and dresses are also standout items.

Queen of Noise is currently sold in some of the best Los Angeles shops including Orphic, A Plus One and Church Boutique. We are excited about this brand and can't wait to see what's next from Mr. Zavatta. For more information please visit Queen of Noise and Facebook.

-JRS

*Photogrpahy by Sandra Bourhani

Manunkind - S/T

I've always thought that nations with rather conservative politics breeds interesting musical subcultures. In this case, Russia. Lots of interesting experimental bands are breeding there (Bardoseneticcube, Reutoff, etc.), and one of them is Manunkind. The duo has been hailed as a new interesting industrial act by the likes of Paul Lemos (Controlled Bleeding) and Gary Mundy (Ramleh). Their limited EP cassette release is on Materia Productions, and the digital can also be found on their Bandcamp.

<a href="http://manunkind.bandcamp.com/album/manunkind">Manunkind by Manunkind</a>

Fans of Haus Arafna, MZ.412, Mental Destruction and early Test Dept should definitely check them out. Metallic chamber atmosphere, devastating machine drums and old-school ritualistic industrial aesthetics. "Acéphale" starts things off and is the perfect example of the duo's punishing vocals and full fledged sonic assault. The remaining tracks continue the theme of heavy, blackened electronics that results in an incredible display of genre-bending destruction. 4 tracks is all there is for now, and only 1 cassette. I will be looking for forward to future releases by this act!

-Per Najbjerg Odderskov
Soundcloud
Brvtalist

Interview with B.J. Nilsen of Morthound

Morthond and Morthound

"In the winter of 1990 Morthond was created as a one-man project of Benny Nilsen. The idea was to make visual music without any moving pictures with coincidence as a main inspiration."

"The river Morthond, also known as the Blackroot, was one of the Rivers of Gondor and was located in the province of Lamedon near the Stone of Erech."

"In 1992 the name "Morthond" was changed to "Morthound"

This Crying Age (Cold Meat Industry, 1991)

Not much has been written about this early Scandinavian act, although it can be said that it dealt with a lot of hard to pin genres such as industrial ambient (This Crying Age from 1991), new age and neoclassical electronics (Spindrift from 1992) and droneish kraut-rock textures (The Godess Who Could Make... from 1994). There was never quite a clear moment when you knew what to expect from the world of B.J Nilsen. A notable act from the early Cold Meat Industry and Sound Source days, since then, B.J Nilsen has been working with other acts such as Hazard and Janitor (Together with Peter Andersson of Deutsch Nepal) and has more or less moved on. Still, there was a need for more material and a new album was released in 2015, which followed a complete boxset the previous year. I'm going to find out just what started this act and how it still manages to stay alive after all these years.

Per Najbjerg Odderskov: So Benny... back in 1990, how did Morthond/Morthound come into being, and what inspired you to do music back then?

B.J. Nilsen: I think the initial drive to make music came from being bored. I grew up in the countryside and there was not much to do. My friends and I used to go to Stockholm and visit record stores or record fairs and got into all kinds of experimental music, films, e.t.c. We educated ourselves more or less and we realized that with simple means one can also make music! I remembered the first time getting in contact with a Synthesizer and that changed everything,

I knew this was something I wanted to get engaged in, but for me it was, and still is important to be curious and open to everything. Get inspired from all kinds of art.

PNO: Why did you choose the record label Sound-Source/Cold Meat Industry to release your music?

BN: I saw it in an ad inside a Swedish fanzine, "New Life Magazine", I think it was called, and it was the only Swedish type of magazine for electronic and industrial music that I knew of. There was an ad with the first releases and I ordered Memorandum and BDN. I was already into that scene and all the old masters. I made some attempts of making music up until then and somehow things changed when I got a Sampler, then the first material for Morthond was made. I sent Roger a demo and he got back to me really happy and I got two tracks on the 2x4 Compilation, then the Death Time Tape, CD e.t.c. It was really inspiring to do this as early as 14-15 year old.

PNO: Still I find, your Age of Crying album as the grand masterpiece. Talk about the how this album was made.

BN: It was composed in my old room at my parents' place in Sweden. I recall spending quite some time on it. I brought the equipment + some additional samplers and effects that belonged to RWL (who also played the indian flute on the recordings), down to Linköping to a friend of Rogers' studio. There we mixed and finalized everything, added the flute and some electronic treatments. We recorded it on a Fostex 8 track reel to reel. We had a few days, perhaps 4 to do it.

PNO: How did the listeners/fans of CMI react to your albums?

BN: Overall really positive. Listeners seemed to appreciate the difference between the albums.

PNO: You stopped Morthound, and your evolvement with CMI and started Hazard. Were you seeking newer pastures within the scene back then?

BN: Yes the scene changed quite a lot into Neofolk, Black Metal direction and I was more into abstract soundscapes and electronic sounds. Later I focused on field recordings and this is were I am now. I think it was a natural step moving forward.

PNO: The boxset is a beautiful achievement after all these years, and you managed to create another new album, Off The Beaten Track The Light Don't Shine. Was it your decision to resurrect Morthound? And for what reason?

BN: I always thought it would been interesting to create a new Morthound album if the Boxset ever happened-and it did! I tried to create the same mindset as the previous ones and draw from where I stopped. It was not an easy task to make a new record but also go back to all the old material and remaster it was quite a trip! The new CD perhaps border more into Sound design and film soundtrack. It is quite a floating record where many of the tracks merge together.

Taken from the album "Spindrift" (Cold Meat Industry 1992)

PNO: Can we look forward to new Morthound releases in the future?

BN: If there's time. I work pretty slow with my solo stuff but not in the near future for sure.

PNO: Last question, was the name Morthound from the world of Tolkien?

BN: Morthond was one of the rivers of Mordor I think. I then put a u in there for Morthound.

Thank you to B.J. Nilsen for taking the time to speak with us.

-Per Najbjerg Odderskov
Soundcloud
Brvtalist

HIDE - Flesh For The Living (Watts Remix For American Primitive) Video Premiere

The Brvtalist is pleased to present the music video premiere of HIDE's Flesh For The Living (Watts Remix for American Primitive). This track comes off the Flesh For The Living 12", which is out now on Midwich Records , and the first vinyl release for HIDE. The original track is pure post-industrial mayhem, but we love the remix and choice to shoot a video around it. Photographed and edited by Chris Hefner, this is a slow burning, fever dream, that masterfully uses the pulsating energy of HIDE and brings the tempo down to create a dreamlike atmosphere where nothing is as it seems....

Available on vinyl at Midwich records and digitally on iTunes. Video concept by HIDE. Photographed and edited by Chris Hefner.

We spoke to multi-disciplinary artist Heather Gabel and 1/2 of HIDE (along with musician Seth Sher) about the video and she had this to say:

The video concept was inspired by a slow, plodding violence we heard in the remix from Joe Cardamone (Watts for American Primitive). There's something inescapable about it in the way it circles back with a relentlessness that's both attractive and foreboding. It mirrors the aggression of our live show. Our lyrics are often addressing and challenging power dynamics, especially concerning gender, and this remix created a sort of perfect storm for us to get more literal with the physicality of what we are trying to express though our music.

HIDE remains one of our favorite new acts to emerge over the past year and we have been lucky enough to host both a New Brvtalism contribution, as well as witness their magic live at the last Brvtalist event back in February. It's great to see their music released on vinyl and we look forward much more from this great band. For more information and music please visit Midwich Records and HIDE's official site.

-JRS

New Brvtalism No. 054

The Brvtalist is proud to present a new mix by London's DRIFT. The solo project of Nathalie Bruno (Leave the Planet, ex-Phosphor), Drift is a dark, ethereal blend of romantic synth, wave and gloomy hypnosis. Bruno's voice mesmerizes and transports the listener to a state of blissful euphoria. Her debut EP, Black Devotion (Avant! Records, 2015) immediately caught our attention and we have been big fans ever since.

New Brvtalism No. 054 is a very intimate mix. Filled with great commentary throughout, let Nathalie guide you through some of her favorite and most influential tracks. From Crash Course in Science to David Lynch, Nico to HTRK, this is the perfect way to let you inside the melodic world of the artist. Take her hand and drift away....

A new video will be out next month and you can catch DRIFT. at the following live dates:
May 18th @ The Waiting Room supporting Essaie Pas + C.A.R (London)
May 20th- @ The Old Blue Last - supporting Triptides and Mass datura (London)
August 19/20 - Kalablik festival, Sweden

We would like to thank Nathalie for her excellent contribution and we look forward to the new video and more material. For more information and music please visit Facebook and Bandcamp. All enquiries contact: driftinsound@gmail.com.

-JRS

Cover photo by Wanda Martin.

Track list:
Colin Newman - Alone
Blue Krishna - Can’t see the line
Crash Course In Science - no more hollow doors
David Lynch- the line it curves
Rosa Yemen - Herpes Simplex
Agent Side Grinder - Mag 7
Luminance (feat. Drift) - Obsession
Nico - These days
HTRK - Fascinator
Pj Harvey - white chalk
Suicide - Girl
Velvet Underground- Venus In Furs
Kas Product - never let go
DRIFT. - Hard to Accept

Damir Doma x Mykita 2016

There are few items in fashion that can make a statement as big as eyewear. It's literally the first thing people see when they meet you and what you put on your face obviously says a ton. That's why considered eyewear is necessary. Whether living in sunny Los Angeles or colder climates, either way they always become important at some point. We love companies that think outside the box and experiment with shapes, forms and textures. Mykita is a Berlin-based company that makes some of our favorite frames and has offered great collaborations with artist Bernhard Willhelm to Maison Martin Margiela. On the other end of the spectrum, Parisian fashion house Damir Doma creates amazing minimal and conceptual clothes, shoes and accessories for both men and women. The two forces have come together before with big success and now we are thrilled to bring you their latest eyewear collection.

The 2016 collection is an in-depth study of form, colour and surface. As designer Damir Doma puts it, "These shapes perfectly round out the Damir Doma look. From the very beginning, our aim was to translate the traditional round form into something modern and create an iconic object". In our view, they were successful in doing so as these frames are unlike anything we've seen and do a great job of evolving the eyewear medium. From different shapes, details and colors, these are beautiful as objects as well as functional fashion.

The "Madeline" (seen above) is perhaps the flagship frame. It's a totally new take on the round form and appears as though it's actually two separate pieces. However, upon closer inspection, you notice that it's one, amazingly handcrafted piece with two lenses literally hovering in the middle to create something modern and totally avant garde.

Another favorite is the "Dawn" (above left) which is named after the legendary jazz singer Dawn Hampton. The striking color ways and exaggerated proportions give a look of elegance, grandeur and purity. Returning to the lineup again is a previous favorite, the DD1.2 (below) which utilizes the classic pilot shape and infuses the incredibly meticulous craftsmanship to create something awe inspiring. We just can't get enough of the floating lenses.

In addition to these, you'll find around 10 other beautiful frames in a variety of colors that can suit just about any need or shape. We're normally not big fans of collaborations but Mykita seems to keep getting it right and Damir Doma continues to be one of our favorite fashion forward brands on the market today. For more information and full collection, please visit Mykita.

-JRS

Orphan Swords - WEEHAWKEN

It's no secret that Belgium's Orphan Swords has been one of our favorite acts of the last couple of years. We previously featured their excellent double EP, License To Desire/Risk In A New Age, and then the duo contributed the punishing New Brvtalism No. 022. We are thrilled to see Yannick Franck and Pierre de Mûulenaere return on Glasgow's Clan Destine Records with a brand new vinyl release.

Out on May 1st, WEEHAWKEN is a four track EP made up of both new material and classic tracks that have never appeared on vinyl. After an appearance on the great compilation, Dark Acid V, this is duo's first proper release on the Glasgow-based label. It's amazing to see the band's material on vinyl as they craft an incredibly rich, layered sound that is begging for release on the format. Preview the tracks below:

<a href="http://clandestinerecords.bandcamp.com/album/weehawken">WEEHAWKEN by ORPHAN SWORDS</a>

With WEEHAWKEN, you can expect more of the signature Orphan Swords sound. ANDREALPHUS kicks things off with a slower introduction and hypnotic, almost tribal feeling. Clocking in around 10 minutes, both DANTALION and GAAP are huge tracks that perfectly build in tension and beautifully morph in to a cacophonous symphony. There are very few acts who have mastered the ability to create industrial and techno-influenced rhythmic noise quite like Orphan Swords. Their tracks always seem to encapsulate you and bury the listener in a sea of haunting, emotional atmospheres. ZAGAN closes out the record with a percussion heavy ritual and a relentless, driving finish.

Orphan Swords appeal to so many different tastes and sensibilities, it's quite an amazing accomplishment. Fans of everything from industrial and techno, to noise and ambient will love the duo's production. Their work always carries a sophisticated sound with both occult and esoteric undertones, it's no wonder we are huge fans. You can order the new EP here and please visit Facebook for more information.

-JRS

New Brvtalism No. 053

The Brvtalist is proud to present a new mix by legendary artist Cindytalk. Scotland born, London-based musician Cindy, has been active for over three decades and has been a major pioneer of experimental music. Working in genres ranging from post-punk and industrial to ambient and techno, there are no limitations on what Cindytalk may explore. Few artists have continued to evolve and push boundaries quite like this and Cindytalk's music continues to stay well ahead of the curve. Aptly titled Shadow Time, this is a haunting, psychological journey that takes you to the depths of the soul and back. We could not be more honored to host such an iconic artist and here are a few words about the mix:

This set was originally put together in February for an event Cindytalk
was invited to DJ in Reading, England. However, at the last moment,
the set times were altered and I played two shorter sets instead of a
longer one. I was able to play some of this set but only in truncated form,
so i was delighted to be invited, soon after, to record the set for New
Brvtalism.

Cindytalk recently released a collaborative 12" on Diagonal Records (028) with Ancient Methods under the alias In The Mouth Of The Wolf. There will also be a new CINDYTALK album out soon on Editions Mego entitled THE LABYRINTH OF THE STRAIGHT LINE. We look forward to more new material from one of our favorite artists. For more information and music please visit the official site and Facebook.

-JRS

CINDYTALK SHADOW TIME MIX Feb/Mar2016

SATOSHI KON INTRO (PAPRIKA)
01 - AKKORD - GRAVURE [ CONTINUUM (FIS HAYFIELD TO NEW MILLS (VERSION) ] (Houndstooth)
02 - SHAPEDNOISE - INTRUDER (Type)
03 - CINDYTALK - I MYSELF AM AN ABSOLUTE ABYSS (Editions Mego)
04 - THE SPRAWL - PERSONALITY UPLOAD (The Death Of Rave)
05 - KERRIDGE - FATAL LIGHT ATTRACTION * 4 (Downwards)
06 - ROLY PORTER - IN FLIGHT (Tri-Angle)
07 - AKKORD - MONOLITH (Houndstooth)
08 - KERRIDGE - FATAL LIGHT ATTRACTION * 1 (Downwards)
09 - THE SPRAWL - FROM WETWARE TO SOFTWARE (The Death Of Rave)
10 - AKKORD - HTH20 (THE HAXAN CLOAK’S CLOUD OF WITNESS) (Houndstooth)
11 - SHAPEDNOISE - ESCALATION (Type)
12 - MUMDANCE - THE SPRAWL (Rinse)
13 - MUMDANCE & LOGOS - HALL OF MIRRORS (Tectonic)
14 - KERRIDGE - SONIC INSTRUMENTS OF WAR #02 (Contort)
15 - ROLY PORTER - MASS (Tri-Angle)
16 - CINDYTALK - SLEIGHT OF MIND (Editions Mego)

Raster Noton 20th Anniversary

The way we perceive our surroundings, both sonically and visually, is constantly and continuously being shaped by art. Over the past 2 decades, the German label raster-noton - archiv für ton und nichtton has been excelling at bringing forth artists whose creative vision helped build a transitional area between music, art, and science. And whether it’s by deconstructing or reinventing aesthetics, their approach never ceases to amaze. This year they are celebrating 20 years of activity at Berghain with 2 events that perfectly reflect the concept behind the label.

April 28 – 30 - The installation “white circle” at Halle Am Berghain.

Initially presented in Karlsruhe, at the ZKM museum's "sound dome", the installation is the embodiment of sculptural ambient music, acting as a connection between space and sound. Alva Noto, Byetone, Frank Bretschneider and Kangding Ray all contributed to it, and the opening of the exhibition will be followed by live performances on the immersive 4DSOUND system.

"Each composition will present an independent, self-contained concept of the respective artist. All works will be based on the idea of ambient music, a music that wants to make (palpably) tangible the acoustic space as well as the visual stimulus.”

Facebook event

April 29th – Label showcase at Berghain & Panorama Bar

Friday sees raster-noton's anniversary party with a line-up that lives up to the expectation of any raster-noton fan, music geek or art freak: Dasha Rush, Kangding Ray and Marcell Dettmann, just to name a few. For the complete line-up head over here.

Faceboook Event.

-Marie Bungau
@mariebungau

Term Fix - The Surgeon's Dog

In a sea of Industrial and EBM revivalists, it has become increasingly more difficult to wade through the masses and find something that is able to channel the original sound and spirit, while still keeping the music fresh and interesting. Thankfully, we have The Suregon's Dog by Australia's Term Fix. All analog production by System Body and nihilist, sinister vocals by Term Fix, creates one of the best Industrial releases we've heard so far this year.

Artwork by Maidenfed (instagram.com/maidenfed)

Since 2015, we've had 4 other releases by the artist, which is a very impressive output. The Surgeon's Dog is probably the most fully realized effort and brings an evolved quality that is instantly infectious. "Furnace" is a great example of the grinding, rhythmic hypnosis on this record and we also love the track "Stretched Out", which brings a dark, haunting tale to accompany the bleak, pounding industrial sounds. "Identity and Dispose" showcases Term Fix's ability to slow down the tempo a bit, and his menacing vocals burn deep beneath the surface.

The excellent artwork is provided by the notorious Maidenfed and plays into the artist's love of fetish, with an emphasis on heavy rubber and latex. We found the "The Surgeon's Dog" to be the perfect title for the record and asked the artist to say a few words about that:

Inspiration for the name comes from the idea that I am just the dog of a surgeon, watching them complete surgeries, botching surgeries, and operating on my own body. I am still the dog on the outside watching my body be completed and manipulated, only to not have the satisfaction of living in it afterwards. Tracks are nihilistic, and observatory, with the idea that people can not always control their own bodies and thoughts. Sometimes you find yourself with no power over your own persona. Term Fix is my main and most personally connected work.

<a href="http://termfix.bandcamp.com/album/the-surgeons-dog">The Surgeon&#39;s Dog by Term Fix</a>

If you needed any more reasons to love this album, it's currently available as a free download, so there's really nothing not to like here. While involved in other projects (Transparent Flesh Flag, Weeping Rat & more), Term Fix is the artist's most intimate work and conveys a unique portrait that we have come to love. We look forward to hearing and seeing more from Term Fix. For more information and downloading, please visit Bandcamp and Facebook.

-JRS