"Elsewhen" finds longtime Swedish audio terrorist Henrik Nordvargr Björkk (MZ.412, Nordvargr, etc.) taking on the esoteric industrial sound of "Last rights"-era Skinny Puppy, a period defined more by abstract sonic skull-fuckery than direct songwriting. This approach definitely raises the barrier of entry, but hardy listeners will be rewarded by a rich and complex tapestry of sound, one that's far more concerned with mood and texture than anything resembling typical verses or choruses. Definitely not for everyone, but strongly recommended for fans of the genre and/or anyone seeking out more adventurous music. - Avi Roig
"Future divided" is the first full-length sample from Nexus Kenosis' upcoming album "Elsewhen", due out September 12 via . As mentioned before, Nexus Kenosis is the latest project from renown Swedish industrial artist Henrik Nordvargr Björkk (MZ.412, Nordvargr, etc.). Preorder here.
has announced the signing of Nexus Kenosis, a new project from Swedish industrial/noise master Henrik Nordvargr Björkk (Pouppée Fabrik, MZ.412, Nordvargr, etc.) which will also function as a multimedia collective of sorts. The debut album is finished and will be released in early fall.
, the label run by Jonas Svensson of Pogrom as mentioned yesterday, has announced three new releases. First are two modular synth LPs on the subabel: "Tyglad best" from Henrik N Björkk (MZ.412, Nordvargr, etc.) and Joel Brindefalk's "The cripple"; the third is the Enhänta Bödlar 7" "Tot is tot". Samples and more details here: http://www.borft.com/
Can't say that I'm familiar with any of the artists besides Björkk, but anything Börft-related comes highly recommended to anyone into dark/experimental synth music.
I haven't heard anything from MZ.412 in quite a little while, since the last Cold Meat Industry release I believe, and it appears that scaring the shit out of the listener is still a priority. If any thing, this is a lot more palatable than previous releases where the music was a lot more minimal and much darker. In fact, this sounds a lot more than label-mates Puissance, in the martial-rhythms and Neoclassical tendencies that they display. All of that was always a part of MZ.412's sounds, but now it takes much more of a central place in the music. MZ.412 has always been one of the most violent bands I listened to, although not violent in a traditional sense, but this time the violence has been replaced with a dark will to disturb. I am not sure I like this more than the old material, but it certainly is interesting. - Simon Thibaudeau
Why is it that I always come back from vacation much more exhausted than when I started? Share in my misery with a track from MZ.412! It starts with a woman's piercing scream and descends into heavier and heavier brutality from there. The beat churns and throbs as they assault you with waves of sizzling feedback and gurgling German-language samples. There's a short semi-ambient reprieve, but once again it's back to the throb and horror as they turn back up the screams (male this time) and distortion. Why subject yourself to such uneasy listening? I don't know if I can really explain the appeal, but I know I like it. Harsh noise can be meditative in a way that ambient electronica can never achieve. From between the layers of crackle and spit comes a different kind of beauty, one that reflects the modern urban world. It can be pretty damn awful out there and sometimes I need a soundtrack that befits it. MZ.412's newest album "Infernal affairs" doesn't rank quite as highly as the recent album from Cold Meat Industry labelmates Raison D'être, but it is quite good. I'd even say it might be their best work yet.
Swedish dark ambient/power-electronics label Cold Meat Industry is now on myspace and streaming four tracks from the brand new MZ.412 album "Infernal affairs", just released today: http://www.myspace.com/coldmeatindustry
cmi.157 Raison d'être - Metamorphyses CD (April) cmi.155 Medusa's Spell - s/t CD (April) cmi.16 In Slaughter Natives - Sacrosancts Bleed CD (April) cmi.141 Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio - Apocalips CD (May) cmi.156 No Festival of Neither Light, Order, Roses Nor Equilibrium LP (May) cmi.158 MZ.412 - Infernal Affairs CD (06/06/06)
Nexus Kenosis