Merzbow Archive Series / late 90s (1996-1998)
Pre-Digital Synthesis (1996-1998) Final years of purely analog production. Works recorded at ZSF Produkt studio represent the culmination of synthesizer-based techniques before the laptop transition.
Spring Harp-O
The evocative title conjures resonant strings and seasonal renewal - unexpected associations for harsh noise, yet characteristic of Akita's poetic sensibility. The harp represents ethereal beauty and delicate tones; by invoking it in a noise context, Merzbow performs characteristic subversion, finding harshness in beauty and beauty in harshness.
The "Spring" element suggests rebirth, new beginnings - perhaps reflecting Akita's sense that the late 90s represented a transitional moment, the end of…
Medamaya-O
Medamaya-O extends late-90s documentation with 1997-1998 recordings. "Medamaya" evokes eye imagery (目玉屋) - the eye shop or eye house. Akita's engagement with visual perception themes runs throughout his work; despite creating purely sonic art, he frequently invokes seeing and looking. The eye watches, judges, reflects - and can be overwhelmed by excessive input.
These recordings capture Merzbow at the end of the analog era, before digital tools transformed everything. There's a tactile quality t…
Tauro-O2
The "Tauro" albums contain outtakes from the 1998 masterpiece Tauromachine (Relapse/Release) and unused material from the same period - the "O" in the title standing for "Outtakes." While the 10CD box Merzmorphosis (Youth Inc., 2012) previously compiled much unreleased 1996-97 material, it excluded recordings related to 1930 and Tauromachine. This "Tauro" material appears here for the first time.
The equipment list reveals Akita's expanding palette: Moog Rogue, Theremin, Novation Bass Station, T…
Tauro-O1
The "Tauro" albums contain outtakes from the 1998 masterpiece Tauromachine (Relapse/Release) and unused material from the same period - the "O" in the title standing for "Outtakes." While the 10CD box Merzmorphosis (Youth Inc., 2012) previously compiled much unreleased 1996-97 material, it excluded recordings related to 1930 and Tauromachine. This "Tauro" material appears here for the first time.
The equipment list reveals Akita's expanding palette: Moog Rogue, Theremin, Novation Bass Station, T…
Cat Of Shell Vol.2
Volume 2. Cat Of Shell was recorded in 1996 and originally intended for release under the same title, but remained unreleased until now. According to Akita's notes, the DAT master index lists both "Cat Of Shell" and "1930" - indicating these recordings relate to the celebrated 1930 album (Tzadik). The repetitive sounds playing in clever, ear-catching balance suggest techno influences, while cracked sounds reminiscent of metal pronunciation and tremendous sonic depth characterize the sessions.
At…
Cat Of Shell Vol.1
Cat Of Shell was recorded in 1996 and originally intended for release under the same title, but remained unreleased until now. According to Akita's notes, the DAT master index lists both "Cat Of Shell" and "1930" - indicating these recordings relate to the celebrated 1930 album (Tzadik). The repetitive sounds playing in clever, ear-catching balance suggest techno influences, while cracked sounds reminiscent of metal pronunciation and tremendous sonic depth characterize the sessions.
At the time,…