Amlux, 2002

1		Takemitsu (5:26)
2		Looping Jane (15:41)
3		Cow Cow (4:22)
4		Luxurious Automobile (Krokodile Texas Mix) (22:23)

Masami Akita continues to have a way of creating noise that cannot be ignored, whether it's harsh or quietly menacing. A lot of noise work risks either fading into the background or being unlistenably repetitive and one-dimensional. While like anyone who releases so much, not every Merzbow release is essential, the sounds here demand attention, due to both their constant change and careful composition. The myriad of ways in which Akita destroys, demolishes, and alters these sounds makes it clear that his many years of dedication to experimental audio work has taught him a lot of worthy lessons. We can all be glad of our continued opportunities to enjoy the results. This is another superb addition to the Merzbow catalog.
- Read the rest of the review over at dusted

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Partikel II (v.s. Nordvargr), 2007

Part two, I think #3 is coming out somewhen in 2009.

1		Reakt 1 (20:19)
2		Luxon (11:34)
3		Reakt 2 (27:55)
4		Brockengeist Elektron (9:15)

Another beautifully constructed collaboration from the two noise giants - Japanoise King Masami Akita (aka Merzbow) and Swedish Lord Henrik Nordvargr Björkk (MZ.412, Folkstorm, Toroidh etc). The styles on Partikel II range from total noise barrages to more subtle dark ambient pieces. Essential!
- De Luidspreker Presstext

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Partikel (v.s. Nordvargr), 2004

First of three parts of the collaboration between Merzbow and Henrik Nordvargr Björkk (Nordvagr).

1		Tardyon Storm (22:49)
2		Kyoufu-0 (25:39)
3		Tachyon Paradox (7:39)

Exclusive to Cold Spring, the King of Japanese Noise meets the Lord of Scandinavian Power Noise! Housed in a beautiful matt foldout digipak, this album takes specially recorded source work by Merzbow, given the mighty Nordvagr treatment. Heavy loops, rhythms, pulses and noise, mixed with ambient moments - this is absolutely essential listening.
- Presstext

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Sphere, 2005

1		Sphere Pt. 1 (9:13)
2		Sphere Pt. 2 (15:29)
3		Sphere Pt. 3 (13:30)
4		Untitled For Vasteras (29:35)

Another wild and wonderful celebration of noise from the singular Japanese pioneer who started it all. Active in live noise electronics since 1978, Akita Masami is an international cult figure, and for his second Tzadik release we are once again treated to music unlike anything he has ever done before. Mixing a whole new world of acoustic percussion and drumming into his enormous arsenal of analog and digital noise makers, Sphere is one of Merzbow’s most startling and unique creations. A powerful symphony of noise from one of Japan’s most important musical thinkers.
- Tzadik Presstext

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Frog, 2001

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Aqua Necromancer, 1998

FIXXXX MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Merzbird, 2004

1930, 1998

24 Hours - A Day Of Seals, 2002

Live Destruction At No Fun 2007, 2007

Electric Dress (with Carlos Giffoni and Jim O'Rourke), 2007

Live CBGB's NYC 1998 (v.s. Alec Empire), 2003

1		The Alliance (3:17)
2		The Destroyer And Merzbow (2:24)
3		A Fire Will Burn (0:48)
4		Nightmare Vision (2:08)
5		The Full Destroyer / Merzbow Meltdown (4:26)
6		The White Man Destroys His Own Race (2:28)
7		Curse Of The Golden Angel (3:26)
8		The Predator (1:49)
9		Brooklyn Connection (2:10)
10		Dawn (1:48)
11		The Slayer Calls At Night (5:08)
12		Blow This Thing (2:13)
13		606: The Number Of The Beast (1:00)
14		202 Lightyears From Home (1:18)
15		Shock Treatment For Corporate Control (1:18)
16		Enter The Forbidden Space (2:18)
17		A Degenerated Nation Reacting To Fear (5:31)
18		A Degenerated Nation Reacting To Fear Pt.II (8:25)
19		Some Might Even Die... (4:08)

While putting the Live at the ICA record together for DHR Alec had the idea of releasing other live performances, covering other genres of music he is involved with - in particular, his exploration of noise and his abstract DJ work. Alec’s extensive collaborations with the renowned Japanese musician Masami Akita, aka Merzbow, have taken place over the last seven years – the artists playing together many times under a variety of guises. (In addition to the purely electronic projects Masami also played drums in the original line up for the Intelligence and Sacrifice album). One of Alec and Masami’s most intense performances took place during a DHR night at CBGB's in new York in 1998. Alec pulled out the tapes and found they sounded as exciting as he remembered. Masami approved the recording and "Merzbow Vs Alec Empire at CBGB’s" was scheduled. Alec: “It is exactly what you think it is: a total blast! Masami Akita the godfather of noise meets the Destroyer in New York to bury the last ashes of punk rock.”
- Boomkat Presstext

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Merzbuddha, 2005

1		Mantra 1 (21:42)
2		Mantra 2 (16:53)
3		Mantra 3 (21:01)

Warning; this man is out to eat your ears! After a dub drenched summer spent listening to the likes of Horace Andy and Keith Hudson, Merzbow (aka Masami Atika) decided to set about procuring himself some serious low-end dub shenanigans to under wire the analogue/noise kaleidoscope displayed on his previous two releases. Opening with the cochlea shredding digital onslaught of 'Mantra 1' it soon becomes apparent that Akita is intent on taking dub down to the Styx and cadging a lift into Hades with old man Charon. So low down it's literally subterranean, Merzbow pumps fistfuls of guttural dub into growling wads of rimy electro-fermented feedback, allowing the whole thing to jerk along in the most debauched and pleasing of fashions. Continuing along a similar by-way, 'Mantra 2' has shades of Aphex in its utter disregard for conventional form or function, splicing what sounds ominously like a chain-saw onto analogue screams and a dirty-as-you-like clunking rhythm that best represents the kind of thing heavy industrial machinery must listen to in their spare time. Concluding with the tempestuous and utterly brutal 'Mantra 3', 'Merzbuddha' is the kind of record that'll keep the neighbours awake for months. Ouch.
- Boomkat Presstext

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Merzzow, 2002

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1		Elephant Song (7:49)
2		Horiwari (3:38)
3		Inside Looking Out Pt.1 (9:15)
4		Inside Looking Out Pt.2 (8:37)
5		Koshinzuka (2:09)
6		Music Machine (9:58)
7		Horse (4:47)
8		Penderecki (4:50)
9		Green (9:16)
10		Hummingbird (6:52)
11		Aenokoto 223 (3:15)

MERZZOW combines animal concepts and deconstructions of 20th century music, ambient drones and a deep grinding groove, synth tones and harsh bursts of liquid electricity in a varied and dynamic 11 tacks in 70 minutes that is sure to please all you fans. It is even accessible enough that it makes a perfect introduction for your friends who have never heard Merzbow music before. (For those of you that don't know, 'zou' is the japanese word for 'elephant'. So, I think you can pronounce this album's title as 'mertz-zoh'.)
- Opposite Records Presstext

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Turmeric, 2006

1-1		Black Flesh Pt. 1 (3:48)
1-2		Black Flesh Pt. 2 (9:46)
1-3		Black Flesh Pt. 3 (19:36)
1-4		Black Flesh Pt. 4 (17:14)
2-1		Black Bone Pt. 1 (18:23)
2-2		Black Bone Pt. 2 (15:16)
2-3		Black Bone Pt. 3 (16:15)
2-4		Black Bone Pt. 4 (5:47)
3-1		Deaf Composition No. 002 (34:12)
3-2		Deaf Composition No. 0003 (23:20)
4-1		Black Blood Pt. 1 (20:16)
4-2		Black Blood Pt. 2 (6:59)
4-3		Black Blood Pt. 3 (12:02)
4-4		Black Blood Pt. 4 (15:00)

Brooding harsh malevolence packed into a 4 disc box-set with luxurious foil stamped slip cover & photos of the in-flight bomber taken by Jenny Akita. Abrasive analog and digital wings give Tumeric flight as an altogether different bird.
- Blossoming Noise Presstext
- Musique Machine Review

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Vibractance, 1998

sad
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Hybrid Noisebloom, 1997

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A Perfect Pain (with Genesis P-Orridge), 1999

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Venereology, 1994

Some of his better known harsh work. "I Lead You Towards Glorious Times" is a live excerpt from 1994 (which features his old live lineup Azuma and Kimoto and Sakaibara (Bara)).

The most extreme recording you will ever own! Unbelievably harsh electronic sickness from the undisputed king of Japanese noise!
- Release Entertainment Presstext

or described by two angry amazon users:
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS JUNK: JUST FEEDBACK AND NOISE. VERY STUPID. GROW UP MERZBOW

WHAT THE HELL DOES THIS MEAN!!!: If u like this crappy noise cd u need 2 c a doctor.

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Mp3@xxxkbps, 45mb

Door Open At 8 Am, 1999

Another Alien8 release from Merzbow.

1		Intro (1:30)
2		Tony Williams Deathspace (2:18)
3		Jimmy Elvins In Traffic (9:49)
4		Lyons Wake (10:45)
5		Door Open At 8 Am (3:17)
6		The Africa Brass Session Vol.2 (19:51)
7		Metro And Bus (7:50)

Three years ago Alien8 Recordings debuted with Merzbow’s Akasha Gulva [aliencd1], a live document, perhaps the ultimate endurance test. Seventy minutes + of searing noise that could level the likes of Hijokaiden and Incapacitants. This was followed up by 1997’s Space Metalizer [aliencd4], here Masami Akita processed sounds with moogs and theremins for a much more calming effect. Another huge leap in Akita’s noise creating techniques, appeared in the making of 1998’s Aqua Necromancer. On Masami’s third effort for alien8recordings he incorporated the use of sampled sounds, such as bass lines, guitar and piano, lifted from the likes of Soft Machine and L’Orme etc.

Door Open at 8am is one of the most adventurous outings made by Merzbow. Recorded during the same era as Aqua Necromancer, this new recording also incorporates the use of sampled sounds. However, this time Akita is paying homage to his love of free jazz, free-jazz drummers to be precise. It includes tracks such as Tony Williams Deathspace, Lyons Wake, Metro and Bus and an unbelievable cover of John Coltrane’s The Africa Brass Session, Vol 2.

As well as the absolutely scorching Coltrane cover, the listener is treated to a variety of sounds never before captured on record. Aside from Masami’s trademark blasts of noise, meticulously crafted into gorgeous sound collages, he introduces a much greater importance on the use of subtleties and breaks of silence. There is also a strong electro-acoustic quality surrounding Door Open at 8am, this was also displayed on his recent Tzadik release, 1930. The overall effect of Door Open at 8am is astonishing! Over the last few years we have become rather knowledgeable in regards to the noise phenomenon known as Merzbow and feel that we have captured Masami Akita and co. at their absolute best! One listen to Door Open at 8am and once again you will know why Merzbow is the reigning king of noise.

We dedicate this release to all the non-believers, who feel Merzbow is doing little more than over-documenting himself. We feel confident that all four releases with him are experimenting in vastly different areas.

- Alien8 Recordings Presstext

- Chronicles of Chaos Review

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Mp3@xxxkbps, 76mb

Here, 2008

Another 2008 release, more to come :).

1		Here (20:45)
2		Torikabuto (24:41)
3		Pigeon Car (8:45)

The undeniably premier Japanoise artist Masami Akita with 54 minutes brand new noise manipulations and audio deconstructions.
3 lengthy tracks blistering walls of relentless noise from the heat of this summer - ultra heavy and brutal electronic assualts!
- L. White Records Presstext
- Heathen Harvest Review

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Mp3@xxxkbps, 99mb

Keio Line (with Richard Pinhas), 2008

Great collab between Richard Pinhas and Merzbow. I guess even people who dislike noise but enjoy drones could like this one :).

1.1		Tokyo Electric Guerrilla (18:29)
1.2		Ikebukuro: Tout Le Monde Descend! (17:36)
1.3		Shibuya Aks (26:28)
2.1		Merzdon/Heldow Kills Animals Killers (8:17)
2.2		Chaos Line (21:45)
2.3		Fuck The Power (And Fuck Global Players) (16:29)

"...Richard Pinhas consolidates his position as the reigning master of mesmerizing, trance/ambient guitar...." – All Music Guide

“Merzbow is essentially a psychedelic artist, attempting to create shifts in consciousness through extreme sound.” – Pitchfork

Richard and Merzbow are both among the best-known figures in electronic rock music today. Merzbow is probably the single best-known artist in noise music today. While Richard's work wouldn't be considered to be in the 'noise' arena, many of the artists in the field have expressed great interest in his pioneering use of synthesizers and electronics in rock and contemporary music from the 1970s until the present. Despite coming from very different backgrounds, they had long expressed admiration for each others work. Given all of this, it is probably not surprising that the most important electronic musicians of France and Japan should finally collaborate together! During Richard's second tour of Japan in the fall of 2007, he performed with Merzbow in what Richard called, "an incredible concert". A week later, at the end of this tour, they booked two days in the studio to work together again, this time on a recording. All material was recorded completely live by the two musicians, with extensive work done in the mix and re-mix stage. Keio Line (the name refers to the name of the train Richard and Masami would take from downtown Tokyo to the recording studio) is a two CD set, released at a special price, that is violent, soothing, hypnotic, noisy and trance-inducing. All aboard the Keio Line!
- Cuneiform Records Presstext

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Mp3@xxxkbps, 208mb

Feedyellow Mix.1 (Split with Sutcliffe Jügend and Satori), 2008

1	Merzbow	Feedyellow Mix.1 (14:33)
2	Sutcliffe Jügend	Pigmother (4:48)
3	Satori	Paralysis (Hypnopompic Mix) (6:28)

Released on the occasion of Merzbow, Sutcliffe Jügend and Satori at ULU, London, 19th April 2008. Japanese Noise, Power Electronics and Fortean Electronics from these 3 giants of the Noise / Industrial scene, with one exclusive studio track from each act.
- Cold Spring Presstext

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Mp3@xxxkbps, 43mb

Batztoutai With Material Gadgets, 2004/1994/1993

Ok, this album made it to three releases until today, all of them on RRRecords (there is a half-official version arround but withouth CAT# or anything... you could make it 4 ;)). In 1993, first released in a plastic box - one year later to the 10th anniversary of RRRecords again in a box but this time with a yellow cover. The latest rerelease of it was a japanese digipak edition of it with a new artwork. Note: All editions got the same tracks.

CD1 is a re-create version of "Batztoutai With Memorial Gagdgets" released on vinyl as RRR-004.
CD2 are cut-ups from various records.


(Cover shown is the first edition)

		In To The Void Of Record Archeive
1.01		Uluk Constitution (2:50)
1.02		This Dying Toad Become Forth With Coal For Colour Black (6:12)
1.03		One Eyed Metal (7:47)
1.04		Batztoutai - The Nightingale's Song (14:37)
1.05		Intermission (1:26)
1.06		Junk Dahkini (1:24)
1.07		Gothol Exodomy (25:32)
1.08		Wild Animal & Polythedral Garden (16:32)
		Loop Panic Limited
2.01		Agni Hotra Loop 1 (0:24)
2.02		Fireploof Enema 1 (3:23)
2.03		Arbeltus Magnus Mix 1 (6:22)
2.04		Arbeltus Magnus Mix 2 (2:02)
2.05		Sado Feedback Loop (4:08)
2.06		Agni Hotra Loop 2 (1:59)
2.07		Agni Hotra Loop 3 (1:16)
2.08		Agni Hotra Loop 4 (1:27)
2.09		Agni Hotra Loop 5 (2:36)
2.10		Asagaya Field Recording (4:12)
2.11		Strange Orange (2:43)
2.12		Strange Orange 2 (2:47)
2.13		Micon Dick (7:26)
2.14		Fireploof Enema 2 (1:54)
2.15		Industrial Pollusion 2 (6:23)
2.16		Electric Tatara (1:27)
2.17		Karl-Marx Is Sutra (1:26)
2.18		De-Soundtracks 1 (7:50)

Classic analogue noise from THE master of Japanese Noise. Subtitled "De-Composed Works 1985-86", this is a remixed version of an earlier release of these recordings, with a second disc of cut-ups from various records. Very similar to early period (79-85) Merzbow.
- Cold Spring Presstext

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Mp3@xxxkbps, 199mb

Ecobondage, 1995/1987

CD Reissue of the Ecobondage LP which was released back in 1987 with remixed tracks.

1		Ecobondage (30:07)
2		Ha Ha Ho Bari (Mari) (31:05)
3		Ecobondage (Ending) (5:05)

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Mp3@xxxkbps, 42mb

Deus Irae (with Null), 1993

1

Deus Irae (46:05

A 1984 live recording from the Gallery Komai with Masami Akita (Merzbow), Kazuyuki K. Null and other notables. This is one long, 45-minute song that starts with a rockin' groove which becomes more frenetic, louder and noisier. Persistent bass and cool use of metal precussion

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M4A@xxxkbps, 63mb

Minazo Volume 2, 2006

And here is the second and last part of his Minazo tribute.

A		Minazo At The Heart Of Crab Nebula Pt.1 (16:37)
B		Minazo At The Heart Of Crab Nebula Pt.2 (19:11)

The second part of Masami Akita's tributes to his seal and lover 'Minazo', this sees the musician again on blistering form. You might be thinking 'another Merzbow record?' (I know I was) but this is what we all wanted from him in the first place - blistering and loud analogue noise, effected screetches and squelches straight from the annals of hell. I like it very much and I should also note that it's on rather spiffing green vinyl.
- Boomkat Presstext

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Mp3@xxxkbps, 64mb

Minazo Volume 1, 2006

First of the two tribute albums to Minazo.

1		Land Of Sea Mammal (13:49)
2		Sea Breeze (14:44)
3		Voices From The Sea (18:49)
4		Destructive Funeral (11:18)

I love this brutal tribute album. Merzbow aka Masami Akita begins his liner notes thus: "Minazo, an elephant seal, died at 17:15 pm on October 4, 2005. He was 11 years old, still young for an elephant seal whose life expectancy is 20 years on average. Whatever the cause of death, I feel sadness and anger each time I hear about animals dying in captivity far away from their natural habitat." Sadness and Anger, you see, inspired this album. Merzbow sets about his layered, textured aural assault to inflict pain on the listener, to show the mad, uncontrollable rage of the over-abused sea-life in our world today.

"Land Of Sea Mammal" hurls looping bass with supercharged high frequency squeals across the land. It stutters crazily, moans maniacally, and genius of geniuses, sounds like a very sick Minazo. The breeze on "Sea Breeze" is a torrential sleet of slicing noise advancing inland to wreck havoc on earth. Get your kids far away from "Voices From The Sea". Commencing with odd bits and pieces clanking, it explodes into a wailing frenzy of demonic voices admist a lo-fi drilling bassline. The voices are inhuman; they are electronics mimicking the desperate cries of very sick or angry creatures. You pick whichever scares you more. In the closing "Destructive Funeral", alarms and sirens shriek with all their might against an impenetrable, claustrophobic wall of electronic noise, as a final tribute - a death seal, if you like - to the demise of Minazo.

Even if your listening faculties are no longer intact after the 4 tracks, Merzbow's message is still pretty clear: Torture the animals, and they'll torture you someday.
- discogs Userreview (by FLuViRuS)
- Brainwashed Review

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Mp3@xxxkbps, 82mb

Merzbeat, 2002

After the harsh start an experimental Merzbow release, it has a beat which is quite unusual for him but nowhere near mainstream. It's also the first time that Minazo appeared on the artwork (but it's not part of the Minazo tribute series):

1		Promotion Man (8:58)
2		Forgotten Land (13:20)
3		Shadow Barbarian (Long Mix) (11:49)
4		Tadpole (5:51)
5		Looping Jane (Beat Mix) (8:26)
6-64		Untitled (0:04)
65		Untitled (0:06)
66		Amlux (Remixed By Jack Dangers) (2nd Version) (8:17)

Part of the Merz series that has seen the inclusion of real beats rather than sampled jazz loops. A real drift from what you might expect from a Merzbow album and one that has divided fans, mainly those who don't like the purely digital side he has recently explored. This is genuinely one of his best releases and is worth it alone for the track Tadpole, more ambient than any track he's done recently and similar in style to the Kid606 album PS I Love You, though the Kid never comes close!
- discogs Userreview (by blowfish)
- Stylus Magazine Review
- Brainwashed Review

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Mp3@xxxkbps,

Pulse Demon, 1996

To kick off the blog, one of the better known 'harsh' albums of Merzbow (with an awesome cover artwork ;)):

1		Woodpecker No. 1 (6:42)
2		Woodpecker No. 2 (3:37)
3		Spiral Blast (4:30)
4		My Station Rock (4:54)
5		Ultra Marine Blues (11:29)
6		Tokyo Times Ten (11:09)
7		Worms Plastic Earthbound (24:53)
8		Yellow Hyper Balls (6:03)

Internationally recognized as the premier Japanese noise artist, Merzbow is the god of noise. Release Entertainment proudly presents Pulse Demon, a more psychedelically-flavored follow up to some of Merzbow's more brain-pummeling releases. Extremely sight-confounding artwork compliments the lucid squalls of Merzbow's electronic assaults. Mastered at apocalyptic audio levels, this is one of the loudest Merzbow recordings ever released. Heed the warnings!
- Release Entertainment Presstext

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Mp3@xxxkbps / 135mb

Getting started...

Hey folks,
Today I opened a new blog with the aim to post one Merzbow everyday. We'll see how it goes.