A landmark album of noise music: from industrial to Japanoise.
Noise music, born from the free imagination of artists who sometimes ignore conventional musical composition and sound design, employing not only pure instruments but also samples of metallic objects and sounds from the natural world—indeed, every method imaginable—is, quite literally, so unmusical that it can make listeners uncomfortable.
In this article, we will focus on landmark albums by representative bands of the genre known as industrial music—indispensable when discussing noise music—while also introducing works by Japanese artists who are highly acclaimed worldwide under the banner of Japanoise.
Take this opportunity to experience the unique sensations that can only be found within the realm of noise.
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- [Impressionist Music] A Selection of Classical Works That Evoke the Japanese Spirit
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- What is minimal techno? We explain the appeal of music born from soothing repetition.
- Aggressive dance music. A masterpiece of hardcore techno.
- [Gets you grooving] Upbeat Japanese songs. Tracks that make you feel happy.
- Today's Jazz: Tunes for today! A selection of timeless classics and contemporary jazz
A masterpiece list of noise music: From industrial to Japanoise (21–30)
Screw of imaginationnisen-nen mondai
Nisennenmondai is a Japanese noise band formed in 1999.
They perform live not only in Japan but also in Europe and the United States.
“Souzousuru Neji” is a track from the album “Rokuon,” released in 2006.
Mirror Manbōryoku onsen geisha
Some might be taken aback by the artist name with its outrageous impact, but this is a noise unit by Masaya Nakahara—an eccentric figure known not only as a musician but also as a film critic and essayist, and, as a novelist, the recipient of the Mishima Yukio Prize for his 2001 masterpiece Flowers for Every Place.
Debuting in earnest in 1990, Nakahara—aka Violent Onsen Geisha—has opened for overseas heavyweights like Sonic Youth, Jon Spencer, and Beck, and has extensive experience performing abroad.
From his discography, this time I’d like to introduce Otis, released in 1993.
It was given a major-label release in Japan in 1996, which made it his major-label debut.
One can’t help but feel anew not only Nakahara’s singularity but also the capacious—if not karmically heavy—nature of 1990s culture.
Including the album jacket, which could even be seen as stylish at first glance, the fact that it was dubbed “Death Shibuya-kei” amid the boom of Shibuya-kei in the surrounding subculture of the time may be one of those intriguing facets of ’90s culture for younger music fans.
As for the sound itself, it’s a style that is, in a sense, as “mixture” as it gets: karaoke renditions of theme songs from tokusatsu shows, whimsical noise lacking obvious patterns, languid vocals and guitar, and samples from movie dialogue and soul music.
It’s well worth a listen as a way to savor the atmosphere of the era—give it a try.
Necrosis en la PoyaEsplendor Geométrico
Esplendor Geométrico is a Spanish band that began activity in the early 1980s, and the band’s name is derived from an essay by F.
T.
Marinetti.
“Necrosis en la poya” is a single that was released in 1981.
HALLUCINOGENICgenkaku arerugī
Hallucination Allergy is a visual kei rock band formed in 1991 that held its final performance in 2006.
“HALLUCINOGENIC” is a track from their major-label debut album “PSYCHE:DELIC,” released in 1994.
Emanation Machine R. Gie 1916SPK
SPK is an Australian band formed in 1978 by Graeme Revell and Neil Hill.
“Emanation Machine R.
Gie 1916” is included on the 1981 album Information Overload Unit.
Turn It OutDeath from Above 1979
Death From Above 1979 is a Canadian duo composed of Jesse F.
Keeler and Sebastien Grainger, formed in 2001.
“Turn It Out” is included on their 2004 album “You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine.”
The Fall of BecauseKilling Joke
Killing Joke is an English band formed in 1978, and they performed in Japan in 1985.
“The Fall of Because” is a track from the 1981 album “What’s THIS For…!”.