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Masami Akita. Merzbow. What a fucking guy. What a recording career. Anyone know how many recordings the great man has put out? Nah… me neither. I doubt if even he knows or can remember. Oh… he does. I’ve just checked his website and he’s listed them all. He’s even against Whaling. Good man. So… if anyone deserves to be in the Guiness Book of Records it’s our Japanese extreme electronics friend Merzbow. To show just how much in regard and esteem he is held there’s even been a couple, I’ve got 2 but there could be more, of compilations dedicated to him and his music. That shows how much respect the man has from his fellow artists. Which leads nicely onto "Kommerz". Because this release sees some of the great mans work re-hashed and turned inside and out by members of the Origami collective…. whose own history is highly unusual and productive and worthy of invstigation.

Lasse Marhaug, Tore H Bøe and Mads Staff Jensen first worked on this release way, way back in 1997. The usual problems ensued, of the type that happens to all artists eventually, and after a long hiatus Lasse re-mastered the recordings into the 12 tracks you’ll find on here. Thankfully the Swedish Segerhuva record label, knowing a good thing when it hears it, have now released it for your listening pleasure. Pleasure though might not quite be the appropriate word. The music of Merzbow, for the most part, was difficult to say the least. Understatedly so. His high frequencies and extreme sonics making for an experience that bordered on the masochistic. That musical style has been recreated lovingly and with due respect on here. Anyone expecting an easy ride has got on the wrong bus. Any artists that uses not just the recorded works from cassette and cd but also the sounds made from the destroying, sacrilege in anyone else’s hands, of nine Merzbow cassette cases needs to be taken seriously. This is the purest of pure raw sound come to life. The sheer visceral thrill of hearing music that even the great one himself would be proud to put his name to. A monumental slab of noise that is neither forgiving or relenting. A behemoth that shakes the foundations. Incredible noise with a hidden beauty inside the ugly exterior. Listen and learn. For there is much to be found as the sounds slash and cut around the air. Even the quietest of passages, not that there’s many, have a surprising bite to them. Crash and burn baby. Crash and burn.

Noise addicts will be in seventh heaven with this release. Anyone else who believes that sonic destruction is a waste of time and effort will find nothing on here to change their minds. "Kommerz" is the ultimate accolade of like minded individuals paying homage to one of their own. They have created and unleashed a snarling beast which will take no prisoners. The pain thresholds of most will be tested fully to the limits. I kind of like to think that Masami wouldn’t want it any other way.

ANM