[Music] Mecizand & Simulacross – Šljahtic Zavalnja, Abo Bełarus u Fantastyčnyh Apavjadannjah


This is an indescribably weird and wonderful combination of two bands, one from Russia, and one from Belarus.  This split LP provides everything from electroacoustic music and noise to free jazz and improvisation here.  Somehow, it just works.

From the bands’  record label, NoiseUp’s Bandcamp page:

Internet-label NoiseUp presents the collaboration of two experimental projects. Russian group of musician Mecizand was formed in the beginning of 10s and counts more than 10 album in its discography.  Last two were released on NoiseUp.  Their music varies between ritual and dark ambient, musique concrete and free jazz.  Belarusian project Simulacross appeared on the experimental music map in 2002 and during the years of existence created different sound collages in percussion and improve industrial, noise and musique concrete.  This album will be the debut collaboration of Simulacross and Mecizand.  10 new compositions are presented on the album made separately by every project and collaboration created by both.  Part of the tracks is made with guest musician, among which you can find Belarusian folk-singer Irina Hlushets from the band Yagorava Gara, voice of Vladislav Novozhilov from Belarusian metal-band Gods Tower and bass of Pjotr Shkalenok from the retro-beat project Yatata.  Also different musician playing of various musical instruments such as harp, flute, violin, organ, calimba, trombone and many others could be heard on the album.  It tuned to be an explosive mixture of post-folk electroacoustic avant-garde with ritual atmosphere and percussion soundscapes.  Fascinating experiments of Russian-Belarusian collaboration will be available for free download on January 29th on the official NoiseUp website and on the Bandcamp page of the label.  The digital release will be followed by the physical cassette limited edition on the label Hvedrungrsmil Records.  It will be out in the beginning of February.  Noise the world!

Worth tracking down.

[Music] Meng Qi – Span 跨度


Meng Qi is a Chinese experimental music composer based out of my current place of residence, Beijing.  His music is unlike most of the genre, where one would expect to hear an avalanche of nearly pointless noise.  There is a beauty to his compositions that I don’t find much in a lot of modern releases that purport to be ‘experimental’.  He’s definitely an intriguing character.

[Music] Bandcamp: Hasana Editions Documents the New Sound of Indonesian Experimental Music

On January 7th, Marc Masters of Bandcamp Daily posted a very interesting synopsis of experimental music coming out of Indonesia these days.  I was aware of the amazing progressive rock, jazz and fusion coming from the region, but it’s good to see Hasana Editions shepherd the experimental scene out of obscurity.  Adding to the ‘cool’ factor is that the first four releases have been published as cassettes.

[Music] Various Artists – Ocean of Sound – The 3rd Annual Report Volumes I & II

Words fail to describe just how important Raffaele Pezzella’s contribution to dark ambient music is. He has singlehandedly curated compilations from artists as far away as Russia, Iceland, Iran and seemingly all points in-between while concentrating on his own venerable work. These two compilations house 229 tracks covering the best of the bleakest, blackest ambient available at the moment!

[Music] Conrad Schnitzler & Bernhard Wöstheinrich – 20070709

Conrad Schnitzler was a legendary electronic music composer who passed away in 2011. Four years beforehand, he collaborated with a young fellow German musician called Bernhard Wöstheinrich, who was well over 30 years his junior. The collaboration produced one hour-long track which builds, grinds, throbs and swells in a way that is abrasive, yet pleasant.

The release is on Iatepus Media, and you can read notes from their album on the label site.