Second official release from CX records, Italy. “Guya” new and unreleased track from the master of japanese noise Masami Akita, 18 minutes of noise bliss, a powerful sonic trip structured by feedbacks, digital and analog electronics. A devastating masterpiece.
3 new tracks recorded, composed and mixed in Berlin, Rome and Tokyo by Cris X/Cristiano Luciani in collaboration with underground japanese musicians, Keiko Higuchi (vocals, piano, lyrics) and Sachiko (vocals, electronics): a dark and visionary journey through espressionist ambient atmospheres, electronic and vocals experimentations.
Remastered by Riccardo Mazza, 2020.
White vinyl limited edition 300 copies.
“Massive split LP with two sides of primo-Japanese underground meat: Masami Akita aka Merzbow’s side is one of his most tactile and crudely-conceived outings in a while, looking back to Batztoutai With Memorial Gadgets-era in its combination of analog and digital soundsources, utilising sandpaper tones, sirens, feedback, disorientating jump-cuts and gunshot percussion for maximum mindfuck. A classic Merzbow side. The flip is even more spectacular, with Cris X aka Christiano Luciani joined by Japanese underground performers Keiko Higuchi on piano and vocals and Sachiko Fukuoka of Kousokuya/Vava Kitora et al on electronics, effects and vocals. Cris X plays a dark devotional form of holy drone using electronics, guitar, field recordings, cymbals, samples and effects and both Keiko and Sachiko inhabit the music like wraiths. Keiko comes across like Patty Waters circa “Moon Don’t Come Up Tonight” or Diamanda Galas circa “My World Is Empty Without You Babe” countering spare chords with an incantatory vocal that is truly chilling. The final piece is a duo between Sachiko and Luciani recorded and mixed at home by Rinji Fukuoka of Overhang Party where the spectral atmospherics of Sachiko’s dazzling solo work meet the devotional drones of Cris X in a way that’s as remarkable as planet-devouring classic by Tangerine Dream, Nijiumu and Toho Sara. Edition of only 300 copies on white vinyl. Highly recommended!” Volcanic Tongue
“One particular marketing tool from the 80s underground was to get your music to as many different compilation cassettes and be sure that everybody heard them. These days you can invite somebody well-known and offer him one side on a split LP, thus you have guarantee that all the die hard collectors of that well-known band will pick up on this record and hear your music as well. Christiano Luciani from Rome (and Berlin) works as CrisX, following a career as a drummer in post-punk bands. His first solo record was a split with Maurizio Bianchi and here is one with Merzbow (next on the list is one with KK Null). Cris X plays here electronics, cymbals, field recordings, guitars, samples, effects and tapes with the help of Keiko Higuchi (piano, vocals, lyrics) and Sachiko (electronics, effects, vocals) - each on respective track, and one being solo. This music has not a lot with that of Merzbow. Very introspective music, with abstract singing, almost like in a very mellow Keiji Haino manner, but doomy and atmospheric, with chilling electronics and finer abstract notions. Great side, of three utter dark, dare I say, somewhat abstract gothic music. As said, on the other side, Merzbow, who never wastes a day's work. When other sleep off their hangover, he records a track (January 1st 2011). Its not his best piece, I think. It takes a bit of time to get really going, and when its there, it turns out to be a fine, standard Merzbow piece. Loud, noisy, feedback like, a bit of EMS synthi A thrown in. Not bad, but it doesn't stand out particularly. The Cris X made more impression on me, but perhaps I heard too much Merzbow and have become a bit more critical?”
Frans de Waard - Vital Weekly number 810, week 50 - 2011
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