Merzbox

Merzbox
Merzbox
Box set by Merzbow
Released June 16, 2000 (2000-06-16)
Recorded 1979–1997
Genre Noise
Length 49:54:47 (standard)
51:58:33 (special)
Label Extreme
Producer Masami Akita
Merzbow chronology
Happenings 1000 Years Time Ago
(1999)
Merzbox
(2000)
Live at Radio 100
(2000)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 2.5/5 stars[1]
Chunklet ambivalent[2]
Epicharmus favorable[3]
Stylus unfavorable[4]
Wiki letter w.svg This table needs to be expanded using prose. See the guideline for more information.

Merzbox is a box set compilation by the Japanese noise musician Merzbow, released in 2000 by Extreme Records. It consists of 50 CDs, spanning Merzbow's career from 1979–1997; 30 discs are taken from long out of print releases, while 20 are composed mainly of unreleased material. The box also contains two CD-ROMs, six CD-sized round cards, six round stickers, a poster, a black long-sleeve T-shirt, a medallion, and the Merzbook, all packaged together in a "fetish" black rubber box. It is limited to 1000 numbered copies.[5][6] Also available is a special edition with extra posters and two bonus CDs with remixes by Merzbow. A Merzbox Sampler was released in 1997.

The Merzbook, written by Brett Woodward, is a 132-page hardcover book with over 100 images. It contains an extensive biography, culled from previous interviews and articles, a new interview, and essays by Achim Wollscheid, Jim O'Rourke, Damion Romero, Eugene Thacker, and Jonathan Walker. Masami Akita provides extensive liner notes for each disc. The book was also released separately with the Merzrom included.

The Merzrom is an interactive multimedia CD-ROM, designed by Troy Innocent. A second CD-ROM contains various Extreme press and a catalog. The "Merzdallion" medallion was designed by Marcus Davidson. Art direction and design were by Doriana Corda. Audio mastering was by François Tétaz.

Contents

History

Extreme's original plan was to reissue Collaborative, their only vinyl release, for the label's tenth anniversary. There was then discussion of reissuing other early releases, with talk of a ten disc box, the number was finally set at 50 discs. The Merzbox was originally scheduled for release in late 1997, and available for pre-order, but kept getting delayed until it was finally released in 2000.[7][8] It was officially launched on June 16, 2000 at Sónar, Barcelona, where Merzbow also performed.

The Merzbox was exhibited at Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna from April 4–7, 2002. Merzbow performed opening and closing concerts. All 60 hours were webcast live.[9]

Between the final recordings of the set and it's release, Merzbow switched to using a laptop, having first acquired a Macintosh to work on the artwork for the set.[6]

Masami Akita has stated in a 2009 interview that he has enough unreleased material for another 50 CD box.[10]

Album listing

OM Electrique

OM Electrique
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded December 27, 1979 at Home
Length 58:38

The first noise recordings of Merzbow. Previously unreleased.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "OM Electrique Part 1"   31:17
2. "OM Electrique Part 2"   7:55
3. "Untitled Taped Drum Solo"   8:59
4. "Untitled Guitar Solo"   10:25
Personnel
  • Masami Akita – tape recorder, percussion, meditation, guitar, Merztronics, taped drums, voice, water


Metal Acoustic Music

Metal Acoustic Music
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded January 1980 at Home
Length 46:59

Earliest Merzbow recording available until the release of the Merzbox.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Balance of Neurosis"   46:59
Notes
Personnel
  • Masami Akita – Merztronics, tape recorder, recorded percussion


Remblandt Assemblage

Remblandt Assemblage
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1980 at Home
Length 53:19

First work using tape manipulation. Only a few copies distributed.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Remblandt Assemblage"   9:44
2. "Voice of Scwitters"   2:09
3. "Theme of Dadaist"   9:39
4. "Hans Arp"   1:47
5. "Tape Dada"   5:52
6. "Music Concret"   2:34
7. "Prepared Guitar Solo 1"   17:32
8. "Prepared Guitar Solo 2"   3:59

Notes

  • Mixed at Lowest Music & Arts, 1980
  • All tracks from Remblandt Assemblage cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1981

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – tapes, prepared acoustic guitar, noise, tabla, percussion, microphone, voice, radio, concret sounds, egg cutter


Collection Era Vol. 1

Collection Era Vol. 1
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1981 at various locations
Length 66:16

Collection Era is compiled from the 10 volume Collection series. The first five were recorded for Ylem, which went out of business before they could be released. So, Akita released them himself, and then recorded five more.

No. Title Length
1. "Electric Environment"   24:00
2. "Untitled Material Action"   23:57
3. "Telecom Manipulation"   18:18

Notes

  • Mixed at Ylem/Gap Works, Tokyo, 3 June 1981
  • Tracks 1 & 2 from Collection 001 cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1981
  • Track 3 from Collection 002 cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1981

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – tapes, ring modulator, violin, tabla, voice, guitar, percussion, drums, radio
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – drums on track 1, percussion on track 2, organ on track 3


Collection Era Vol. 2

Note: The contents of CD 5 and CD 6 were switched (5 has eight tracks and 6 has seven), the info below is as it appears in the Merzbook.

Collection Era Vol. 2
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1981 at various locations
Length 66:45
No. Title Length
1. "Merz Rock 1"   1:58
2. "Merz Rock 2"   8:23
3. "Merz Gamlan 1"   15:54
4. "Merz Gamlan 2"   5:55
5. "Merz Scat"   11:29
6. "Merztronics Jazz Mix"   11:45
7. "Merztronics Rhythm Mix"   11:17

Notes

  • Mixed at Lowest Music & Arts, 1981
  • Tracks 1–4 from Collection 007 cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1981
  • Track 5 from Collection 009 cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1981
  • Tracks 6–7 from Collection 010 cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1982
  • Merztronics tape used on tracks 6–7

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – taped drums, tabla, guitar, tapes, Synare 3, percussion, ring modulated recorders, voice, endless tape, noise, rhythm box
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – wood bass on track 6


Collection Era Vol. 3

Collection Era Vol. 3
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1981–1982 at Lowest Music & Arts
Length 66:56
No. Title Length
1. Untitled   5:17
2. Untitled   5:59
3. Untitled   10:35
4. Untitled   6:13
5. Untitled   4:53
6. Untitled   6:51
7. Untitled   3:14
8. Untitled   22:52

Notes

  • Tracks 1–7 from Collection 008 cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1981
  • Track 8 from Tridal Production cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1982

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – guitar, tape, damaged tape recorder, bass guitar, Dr. Rhythm, ring modulator, percussion, rubber guitar, violin, tape loops, Synare 3, tabla, drums, synthesizer
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – guitar on track 1, piano on track 4, violin on tracks 7 & 8


Paradoxa Paradoxa

Paradoxa Paradoxa
Live album by Merzbow
Recorded March 3, 1981 at Kid Ailack Art Hall, Tokyo
Length 72:23

The first Merzbow live performance.

No. Title Length
1. "Paradoxa Paradoxa Pt. 1"   46:14
2. "Paradoxa Paradoxa Pt. 2"   26:08

Notes

  • Mastered from original live recording
  • Track 1 from Paradoxa Paradoxa cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1982
  • Track 2 previously unreleased

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – Merztronix, tape, solar organ on track 2, violin, Dr. Rhythm, alto saxophone, radio, feedback
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – solar organ on track 1, violin, tape, piano
  • Masahiro Kurose – live recording


Material Action for 2 Microphones

Material Action for 2 Microphones
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded July 1981 at Mizutani Home Studio, Kasai
Length 70:45

"Material Action" was a term for using household objects to make quiet sounds, which were then amplified, inspired by John Cage's "Cartridge Music". The term itself was taken from Otto Muehl. This recording was used as raw material for other works such as Material Action 2 N.A.M.

No. Title Length
1. "Hoochie Coochie Scratched Man"   25:31
2. "Yumin, Non Stop Disco"   21:14
3. "New Acoustic Music No. 7"   23:58

Notes

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – condenser microphone, environmental percussion, scratched sound, tapes, turntable, radio
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – condenser microphone, percussion, additional synthesizer


Yantra Material Action

Yantra Material Action
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1981 at various locations
Length 42:33

Originally intended to be the first Merzbow LP, but it went unreleased, the label then asked again to release the LP, but Akita decided to record new material, which became Material Action 2 N.A.M. Includes reworks of past recordings with added effects and new instrumentation.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. Untitled   11:25
2. Untitled   2:52
3. Untitled   1:48
4. Untitled   4:37
5. Untitled   1:06
6. Untitled   8:40
7. Untitled   7:26
8. Untitled   4:35

Notes

  • Mixed at Junktion Music Works, 1981
  • All tracks from Yantra Material Action cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1983

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – tapes, junks, noise, percussion, radio, drums, guitar
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – percussion, guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, tapes
  • H. Kawagishi – sound engineering


Solonoise

Solonoise
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1982 at Lowest Music & Arts
Length 69:58

Solonoise means "Solar-Noise", inspired by Georges Bataille's The Solar Anus.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Solonoise Pt. 1"   23:55
2. "Solonoise Pt. 2"   23:42
3. "Solonoise Pt. 3"   22:21

Notes

  • Tracks 1 & 2 from Solonoise 1 cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1982
  • Track 3 from Solonoise 2 cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1982

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – electronics, ring modulator, violin, voice, treated tapes, acoustic guitar, Nil Vagina tape loop, treated percussion, Synare 3, TV, styrofoam
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – violin, electric piano on track 1


Expanded Music

Expanded Music
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1982 at Lowest Music & Arts
Length 65:24

Conceptual works manipulating various inputs using feedback processed audio mixer. Inspired by Stan Brakhage's scratched films.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Manipulation 1"   17:37
2. "Manipulation 2"   5:28
3. "Manipulation 3"   6:36
4. "Manipulation 4"   3:53
5. "Manipulation 5"   2:51
6. "Manipulation 6"   2:15
7. "Manipulation 7"   1:57
8. "Manipulation 8"   5:45
9. "M.F.S.W 1"   18:58

Notes

  • Tracks 1-8 from Expanded Music 2 cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1982
  • Track 9 from Musick for Simulation World cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1983

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – TV test signal, feedback mixer, damaged tape recorder, Dr. Rhythm, tapes, percussion, synthesizer


Nil Vagina Tape Loops

Nil Vagina Tape Loops
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1982 at Lowest Music & Arts
Length 75:26

Featuring a four track tape recorder found in the street. A different sound was recorded on each track, and then played back randomly.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Nil Vagina Tape Loop No. 0"   14:08
2. "Nil Vagina Tape Loop No. 1"   30:19
3. "Nil Vagina Tape Loop No. 2"   28:28

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – Sony 464 tape recorder, Nil Vagina tape loop, treated tapes, percussion, Synare 3, Dr. Rhythm

Notes

  • Track 1 from Solonoise 2 cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1982
  • Tracks 3 & 4 from Lowest Music 2 cassette, Lowest Music & Arts, 1982


Material Action 2 N.A.M

Material Action 2 N.A.M
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded September–October 1982 at Junktion Music Works, Tokyo
Length 40:59

The first Merzbow LP. The 2 in the title refers to Yantra Material Action, which was meant to be the first LP. Sounds include styrofoam and a typesetting machine (Kiyoshi Mizutani worked at a typesetting company at the time). Includes raw material from Material Action for 2 Microphones.

No. Title Length
1. "Nil Ad Mirari"   22:47
2. "Nimbus Alter Magneto Electricity"   18:12

Notes

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – tapes, junk percussion, electro-acoustical noise, organ, tape collage, recording, mixing
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – tapes, synthesizer, violin, machine noise
  • H. Kawagishi – engineering


Mechanization Takes Command

Mechanization Takes Command
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1982–1983 at Merz-bau Studio, Machida and ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 69:37

First release on ZSF Produkt. Akita changed the name of his label since he wanted to release other artists. Featuring the Synare 3, which was later destroyed by Bara on stage in the late 90s.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Electric Pygmy Decollage"   14:12
2. "Mechanization Takes Command"   11:01
3. "Peaches Red Indian"   10:46
4. "Sahara"   5:44
5. "Iggy"   3:15
6. "Suicidal Machine"   14:17
7. "Ai-Da-Ho"   10:19

Notes

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – Pearl drum kit, various percussion, tapes, TV, Synare 3, voice, tabla, Dr. Rhythm, ring modulator, guitar, feedback, synthesizer, recorder, scrap metals, devices


Dying Mapa Tapes 1-2

Dying Mapa Tapes 1-2
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded March 27–28 & May 5 1982 at Merz-bau, Tokyo
Length 68:33

Title inspired by the Nyingmapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Made with different equipment and instruments than other recordings of the same period. Featuring instruments recorded on tape, then slowed down or played backwards.

No. Title Length
1. "Denegation"   10:07
2. "Indifferent Pt. 1"   6:20
3. "Indifferent Pt. 2"   8:01
4. "Ooinon for Satva Karman (Sprashutavia) Decoup"   21:46
5. "Dharma Kamarage"   22:17

Notes

  • Produced by Lowest Music & Arts, 1982
  • Tracks 1–4 from Dying Mapa I cassette, Aeon, 1983
  • Track 5 from Dying Mapa II cassette, Aeon, 1983

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – tapes, radio, ring modulator, percussion, noise, rhythm box, guitar
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – violin, percussion


Dying Mapa Tapes 2-3

Dying Mapa Tapes 2-3
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded March 27–28, 1982 at Merz-bau, Tokyo
Length 69:40
No. Title Length
1. "Sukha, Chanda, Tanno, Kless"   23:28
2. "Genetic Erotic (Sie Wiro Weib)"   22:57
3. "Rejet, Ictus, Connotation, Accompagnement, Penisersatz, Stigma Indelible etc."   23:14

Notes

  • Produced by Lowest Music & Arts, 1982
  • Track 1 from Dying Mapa II cassette, Aeon, 1983
  • Tracks 2–3 from Dying Mapa III cassette, Aeon, 1983

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – tapes, radio, ring modulator, percussion, noise, rhythm, junk electronics, TV, guitar, bass
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – violin, percussion


Agni Hotra

Agni Hotra
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1984–1985 at ZSF Produkt, Asagaya
Length 63:09

Originally intended to be the second Merzbow LP, but it went unreleased. Includes outtakes from Ushi-Tra, which is from the same period. Loops were included on Loop Panic Limited.

No. Title Length
1. "Agni Hotra"   18:26
2. "Asagaya in Rain"   3:51
3. "Swamp Metal"   6:29
4. "Loops in Flames"   12:30
5. "Arbertus Magnus"   7:14
6. "Kunyan"   7:52
7. "Untitled Waves"   6:45

Notes

  • Tracks 1–4 from first Agni Hotra master
  • Track 5 from second Agni Hotra master
  • Track 6 appeared with different mix on Ushi-Tra cassette, Cause & Effect, 1985
  • Track 7 from Ushi-tra recording

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – distorted tape loops, metals, recorder, tapes, tape reel, percussion, shakujo, bells, noise


Pornoise 1kg Vol. 1

Pornoise 1kg Vol. 1
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1984 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 59:17

The original Pornoise 1kg box consisted of five cassettes with pornographic art, the 1kg refers to the total weight of the package. Pornoise was a mail art project where Akita made xerox art using discarded pornographic magazines taken from the trash. The voice on "Night Noise White" is taken from the "Halt Tape".

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Industrial"   3:32
2. "Loop Fuck 1"   6:12
3. "Loop Fuck 2"   5:39
4. "Obituary 1"   5:15
5. "Obituary 2"   7:12
6. "Night Noise White"   31:24

Notes

  • All tracks from Pornoise 1kg cassette box, ZSF Produkt, 1984

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – distorted Sony 464, feedback mixer, radio, loop tapes, Synare 3, rhythm box, ring modulator, devices
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – taped typesetting machine noise and taped synthesizer on track 2–4 with distorted process


Pornoise 1kg Vol. 2

Pornoise 1kg Vol. 2
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1984 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 61:35

Field recordings on "Dynamite Don Don" include street sounds recorded from a moving bicycle, and a house being demolished across from Akita's apartment.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "New Karhma"   31:24
2. "Dynamite Don Don Pt. 1"   16:54
3. "Dynamite Don Don Pt. 2"   13:16

Notes

  • All tracks from Pornoise 1kg cassette box, ZSF Produkt, 1984

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – distorted Sony 464, feedback mixer, loop tapes, Synare 3, ring modulator, field recording tapes, devices


Pornoise 1kg Vol. 3

Pornoise 1kg Vol. 3
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1984 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 59:41

The voice on "UFO vs British Army" is taken from the "Halt Tape", recorded from a TV broadcast. Some other samples are from horror films.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "UFO vs British Army"   30:46
2. "Toy 69"   28:55

Notes

  • All tracks from Pornoise 1kg cassette box, ZSF Produkt, 1984

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – distorted Sony 464, feedback mixer, loop tapes, Synare 3, ring modulator, devices


Pornoise Extra

Pornoise Extra
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1984 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 59:26

Additional tracks from the Pornoise 1kg sessions. Original release had different track titles.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Flesh Radio 1"   4:49
2. "Flesh Radio 2"   4:51
3. "Dance of Dharma-Kala"   13:29
4. "Psycotic Orange"   0:42
5. "Helgas Death Disco"   5:34
6. "Eros Pandra"   8:28
7. "Kirie"   6:45
8. "Domine"   5:54
9. "Chopin Is Dead"   5:55
10. "Risa Supersex"   2:55

Notes

  • All tracks from Pornoise Xtra cassette, ZSF Produkt, 1985

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – feedback mixer, radio, loop tapes, Synare 3, rhythm box, ring modulator, distorted Sony 464, devices
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – sampled electric piano


Sadomasochismo/Lampinak

Sadomasochismo/Lampinak
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded 1985 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 54:57

Includes unused tracks for Batztoutai with Memorial Gadgets

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Antimony Pt. 1"   10:30
2. "Antimony Pt. 2"   13:05
3. "Eyes of Isonokami"   11:44
4. "The Lampinak-Sarpent Power"   10:29
5. "Carcass on the Floor"   4:35
6. "Village of 8 Graves"   4:30

Notes

  • Tracks 1–3 from Sadomasochismo cassette, ZSF Produkt, 1985
  • Tracks 4–6 from The Lampinak cassette, ZSF Produkt, 1985

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – various metal percussion, chain, loops, noise electronics, Synare 3, tapes


Mortegage/Batztoutai Extra

Mortegage/Batztoutai Extra
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded November 1984 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 62:03

Original recordings for the Batztoutai with Memorial Gadgets album. Includes samples from François Bayle, Conlon Nancorrow, Ivo Malec, Luc Ferrari.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Anus Anvil Anxiety" (long version) 14:40
2. "Radio 1511"   24:01
3. "Mortegage Inc. Batztoutai"   23:21

Notes

  • Track 1 appeared edited on Batztoutai with Memorial Gadgets LP, RRRecords, 1986
  • Track 2 previously unreleased
  • Track 3 appeared in different order on Batztoutai with Memorial Gadgets LP

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – tapes, voice, electronics, scrap metals, percussion, field recordings


Enclosure/Libido Economy

Enclosure/Libido Economy
Compilation album by Merzbow
Recorded July 1987, 1988, November 1989 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 58:04

Includes raw material from Ecobondage.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Enclosure"   17:27
2. "Scarabe"   5:33
3. "Interline No. 1-3"   18:10
4. "Itch"   5:39
5. "Libido Economy No. 1"   5:39
6. "Libido Economy No. 2"   5:32

Notes

  • Tracks 1–3 from Enclosure cassette, ZSF Produkt, 1987
  • Track 5 from Enkele Gemotiveerde Produktiemedewerkers compilation, Midas Music, 1990
  • Track 6 from Network 77 compilation, Network 77, 1990

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – bowed instruments with piano wires, ring modulator, tapes, feedback mixer, effects, percussion, turntable


Vratya Southward

Vratya Southward
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1987 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya and July 1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 61:18

More works using Ecobondage materials. In 1987, Akita moved from Asagaya to Takinogawa. "Electric Red Desart" includes a field recording of the Hinin Gyōretsu festival in Kamakura.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Electroacoustic Voyage"   23:47
2. "Electric Red Desart"   18:19
3. "Lightning" (bonus) 19:10

Notes

  • Tracks 1–2 from Vratya Southward cassette, ZSF Produkt, 1987
  • Track 3 previously unreleased

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – cymbals, various percussion, electronics, paper pipe, tapes, plastic, voice, flute, toy marimba, scratch records, electric violin on tracks 1–2; feedback mixer, piano strings on metal box on track 3


Live in Khabarovsk, CCCP - I'm Proud by Rank of the Workers

Live in Khabarovsk, CCCP - I'm Proud by Rank of the Workers
Live album by Merzbow
Recorded March 23–24, 1988 in Khabarovsk, USSR
Length 57:34

First two of three performances. First performance was stopped for being "too wild", so they then played more conventionally. Includes Batztoutai material on backing tape, and Russian radio.

No. Title Length
1. "Live at Trade Unions Place of Culture Hall 23 March 1988"   29:21
2. "Live at Soviet Army Officers House Hall 24 March 1988"   28:13

Notes

  • Recorded live at Amur-on-Jazz '88 (Джаз-на-Амуре '88), Khabarovsk, Russia
  • Live PA recordings by Russian staff
  • Remastered from original live recording
  • Different versions appeared on Live in Khabarovsk, CCCP LP, ZSF Produkt, 1988

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – electric bowed instruments, tape, radio on track 1; drums, tape on track 2
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – piano, low feedback US MP guitar on track 1; piano, guitar on track 2


Storage

Storage
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded February–April 1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 67:59

Original master was too long to fit on LP, now available unedited. Originally titled War Storage, which is now used for the track titles.

No. Title Length
1. "War Storage Pt. 1"   23:02
2. "War Storage Pt. 2"   23:48
3. "War Storage Pt. 3"   21:08

Notes

  • All tracks from Storage LP, ZSF Produkt, 1988

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – bowed instruments with piano wires, percussion, tapes, effects, guitar
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – submitted raw material on track 2


Fission Dialogue

Fission Dialogue
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1987–1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio, Asagaya
Length 57:47

Unreleased tracks from Ecobondage and Storage period.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "White Gamlan"   16:27
2. "Fission Dialogue"   9:08
3. "Inside Tangues in Tera-Aspic"   32:11

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – cymbals, various percussion, electronics, voice, byan, bowed instruments, paper pipe on track 1 & 2; noise electronics, turntable, scrap metals on track 3


Collaborative

Collaborative
Studio album by Merzbow + S.B.O.T.H.I.
Recorded 1988
Length 48:11
Producer Masami Akita, Achim Wollscheid

Essay by Jonathan Walker from the original LP is reprinted in the Merzbook.

No. Title Length
1. "Joint" (Merzbow + S.B.O.T.H.I.) 20:51
2. "Code-Geräusch-Aggregate" (S.B.O.T.H.I. + Merzbow) 20:12
3. "Jointed" (Merzbow) 7:06

Notes

  • Track 1 recorded at ZSF Produkt on 8 March 1988
  • Track 2 produced 1988
  • Track 3 recorded at ZSF Produkt (live) on 1 May 1988
  • All tracks from Collaborative LP, Extreme, 1988

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – tapes, metals, scratch, guitar, mixing on track 3
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – samples, guitar, balalaika, byan on track 3
  • Achim Wollscheid – raw materials on track 1, production on track 2


Crocidura Dsi Nezumi

Crocidura Dsi Nezumi
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded August 1987 & August 1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 63:07

"Unplugged noise" made using household objects, violin sound is violin bow on plastic cassette case or wood, acoustic guitar is a rubber band, Tibetan trumpet is a toilet paper tube, electrical sounds are made with metal. "Environmental drums" are the floor, gas stove, the spring of a table lamp.

Names are taken from the Latin names of the Dsinezumi Shrew, Japanese stoat, and Japanese least weasel. Another title was inspired by Frank Zappa's "The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet".

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Mustela Erminea Nippon"   23:00
2. "Mustela Sixasa Namiyei" (Including: The Revenge of the Son of Monster Magnet) 23:50
3. "Strange Strings"   16:16

Notes

  • Tracks 1-2 from Crocidura Dsi Nezumi cassette, ZSF Produkt and Banned Production, 1988
  • Track 3 previously unreleased

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – environmental drums, bowed instruments, paper pipe, plastic, woods, flute, insects, effects on tracks 1–2; bowed instruments, motor, noise electronics on track 3


KIR Transformation

KIR Transformation
Live album by Merzbow + Achim Wollscheid
Recorded 1989 at KIR, Hamburg
Length 40:39
Producer Masami Akita, Achim Wollscheid

From a concert with Achim Wollscheid: first Merzbow played, then Wollscheid played using a recording of Merzbow's set, then Merzbow and Wollscheid played together.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita and Achim Wollscheid. 

No. Title Length
1. "KIR Transformation" (Merzbow + Achim Wollscheid) 40:39

Notes

  • Edited by Achim Wollscheid, 1997


SCUM Vol. 1

SCUM Vol. 1
Studio album by SCUM
Recorded May–December 1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio and various rehearsal studios
Length 59:55

The Last LP on ZSF Produkt. Track titles influenced by American post-war art. SCUM was project to create new works out of previous Merzbow sessions using cut-ups, effects, and mixing. Name taken from the SCUM Manifesto.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Cockchola"   12:54
2. "Extract 1"   4:21
3. "Extract 2"   5:48
4. "Extract 3"   1:18
5. "Extract 4"   5:59
6. "Kinetic Environment"   11:46
7. "Yeah, But That Was Just Dyke Stuff / Great Nude Variation No. 2"   17:46

Notes

  • Order of this CD is same as the original master tapes
  • Tracks 2–5 previously unreleased
  • All others from Scissors for Cutting Merzbow LP, ZSF Produkt, 1989

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – electronics, tapes, bowed instruments, percussion, metal junks, motor, piano wires, noise generator, drums, guitar, radio
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – junks, effects on raw materials


SCUM Vol. 2

SCUM Vol. 2
Studio album by SCUM
Recorded May–December 1988 at ZSF Produkt Studio and various rehearsal studios
Length 60:46

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Music for Funk Arts No. 1" (long version) 22:51
2. "Music for Funk Arts No. 2" (long version) 22:09
3. "Great Nude Variation No. 1"   12:05
4. "Extract 5"   3:40

Notes

  • Order of this CD is same as the original master tapes
  • Track 5 previously unreleased
  • All others from Scissors for Cutting Merzbow LP, ZSF Produkt, 1989

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – electronics, tapes, bowed instruments, percussion, metal junks, motor, piano wires, noise generator, guitar, electric shaver, radio, effects
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – guitar, junks, effects on raw materials


Severances

Severances
Studio album by SCUM
Recorded July 2, 1989 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 61:28

Includes two covers, "Deaf Forever" by Motörhead, and the Jimi Hendrix version of "Wild Thing".

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "UP Steel CUM"   16:24
2. "Catabolism Variation Stereo No. 1"   14:02
3. "Deaf Forever / Wild Thing / Electric Shaver Forest / De-Soundtrack Variation No. 1 / Rap the Khabarovsk"   31:01

Notes

  • Drum track of "Rap the Khabarovsk" was recorded live in Russia
  • All tracks from Severances cassette, Discordia/Concordia, 1989

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – tapes, turntables, electronix, drum kit, percussion, voice, metal percussion, bowed instruments, electro-shaver, motor, self-made junk
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – tape materials: guitar on track 1 & 3; keyboard, computer rhythm on track 2


Steel CUM

Steel CUM
Studio album by SCUM
Recorded 1989 at various locations
Length 56:36

The EP on Vertical Records was remixed and released without permission, with the cover made using one of Masami Akita's collages. "But a result of EP was fine. So, I'm agreed. But EP is still bootleg."[6]

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Mona"   2:51
2. "Great Nude Variation No. 3"   5:57
3. "Duck Exercise"   17:14
4. "Blues in C Minor"   24:23
5. "Body"   6:09

Notes

  • Mixed at ZSF Produkt Studio 1989
  • All tracks from Steel Cum cassette, ZSF Produkt, 1990
  • Some parts appeared on Steel Cum 7", Vertical, 1992

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – guitar, drums, tapes, electronics, metal bowed instruments, feedback mixer, turntable
  • Kiyoshi Mizutani – drums, guitar on some parts


Cloud Cock OO Grand

Cloud Cock OO Grand
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded October 1989 – January 1990 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 78:58

During the European tour in 1989, Masami Akita could only bring simple equipment, and created a new live electronics style, different from his acoustical and tape based studio work, leading to the harsh noise Merzbow became known for in the 1990s. Cloud Cock OO Grand was the first example of this style, Merzbow's first digital recording, and the only CD on ZSF Produkt.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Brain Forest for Metal Acoustic Concret"   23:37
2. "Spinnozaamen"   24:01
3. "Autopussy Go No Go"   7:40
4. "Modular"   15:12
5. "Postfix"   8:26

Notes

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – tapes, noise electronics, metals, distorted DBX, turntable, loops, bowed instruments, metal harp, short wave
  • Reiko Azuma – bowed instruments on track 4
  • Peter Duimelinks – original live recordings


Newark Hellfire, Live at WFMU, USA

Newark Hellfire, Live at WFMU, USA
Live album by Merzbow
Recorded September 23, 1990 at WFMU Studio, New Jersey
Length 58:45

From Merzbow's first American tour. Akita was told by someone that they heard the broadcast in a taxi.

No. Title Length
1. "Newark Hellfire"   58:45

Notes

  • Live recording by WFMU
  • Remastered from original recording at ZSF Produkt Studio
  • An excerpt appeared on Great American Nude / Crash for Hi-Fi CD, Alchemy, 1991

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – feedback audio mixer, metals, electronics, electric shaver
  • Reiko Azuma – metals, bowed instruments


Hannover Cloud

Hannover Cloud
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1990 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 55:28

Outtakes from Hannover Interruption and Cloud Cock OO Grand. "Rocket Bomber" uses raw materials from Sadomasochismo. All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Magnetic Void"   20:35
2. "Rocket Bomber"   15:17
3. "Untitled Cock"   6:13
4. "Autopussy Go No Go 2"   13:22

Notes

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – noise electronics, metals, tapes


Stacy Q, Hi-Fi Sweet Leaf

Stacy Q, Hi-Fi Sweet Leaf
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded April–May 1991 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 52:57

Originally made as raw material for "Crash for Hi-Fi", "Wing Over", "Another Crash for High Tide". Includes the use of a scratched Cloud Cock OO Grand CD.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Decomposed Cockoo"   26:29
2. "Stacy Q, Hi Fi Sweet Leaf"   26:28

Notes

  • All tracks no editing

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – noise electronics, tapes, scratched CD, radio, sound effect records, guitar


Music for True Romance Vol. 1

Music for True Romance Vol. 1
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded May 1992 – 1993 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 59:50

Backing tracks made for True Romance, a performance art project with Seido and Bara.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "True Romance Theme"   3:52
2. "Mystic Cave"   2:27
3. "She Floating-Preparation"   15:43
4. "She Mutilation-Main Ritual"   15:17
5. "Injured Emperial Soldiers Marching Song"   22:29

Notes

  • Tracks 1–4 made for Blood Orgy of the She Dolls soundtrack, 1992
  • Track 5 made for "Isis and Secret Army Hyper Vivisection" performance at Moma, Kyoto, 1993

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – tapes, electronics, disks


Brain Ticket Death

Brain Ticket Death
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1993 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 49:56

Track 4 samples Brainticket's self-titled song from their album Cottonwoodhill. It's also a reference to Nurse with Wound, who used the same bit on Brained by Falling Masonry.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Metal of Doom"   6:36
2. "Electric Peekaboo"   3:45
3. "Iron Caravan"   5:33
4. "Brain Ticket Death"   34:01

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – noise electronics, metals, turntable, bass, guitar


Sons of Slash Noise Metal

Sons of Slash Noise Metal
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1992 & February – March 1993 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 60:25

Track 1 & 3 were made as raw material for recordings of the same period. Track 2 is a remix of a fragment.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "In-A-Gadda-Da-Veddah"   16:53
2. "Cross Toad"   10:57
3. "Slash Embryo"   32:34

Notes

  • All tracks remastered from original mother tape, no editing

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – metals, noise electronics, scratched CD, radio, tapes


Exotic Apple

Exotic Apple
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1992–1994 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 61:45

Includes Arthur Lyman samples. Yuuri Sunohara is a director, producer, model etc. for Kinbiken/Right Brain. "Apple Rock" includes unused material originally made for Flying Testicle.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Sunohara Youri Is Suzanna Erica"   10:16
2. "Moon Over the Bwana A"   5:30
3. "Apple Rock 1"   14:20
4. "Apple Rock 2"   16:17
5. "Apple Rock 3"   7:23
6. "Apple Rock 4"   7:55

Notes

  • Track 1 from Melt compilation, Work In Progress, 1992
  • Track 2 from Land of the Rising Noise compilation, Charnel House, 1993

Personnel


Liquid City

Liquid City
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1994 – January 1995 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 57:12

Originally intended to be part of a CD+CD-ROM called Scatologic Baroque, but it was canceled. Part of the "World Trilogy" with Magnesia Nova and Green Wheels. The material for the CD-ROM was use for the book Anal Baroque. "Liquid City 17-1-95" was recorded on the same day as the Great Hanshin earthquake. "Tiabguls" is a Throbbing Gristle tribute.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Liquid City 17-1-95"   19:11
2. "Dalitech Filters"   21:09
3. "Tiabguls"   9:16
4. "Cheese Car Commando"   7:35

Notes

  • Track 3 from Entertainment Through Pain compilation, RRRecords, 1995

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – noise electronics, metals, EMS, voice


Red Magnesia Pink

Red Magnesia Pink
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded April–August 1995 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 61:20

Outtakes from Red 2 Eyes, Magnesia Nova, and Pinkream.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Minus Zero"   5:57
2. "Etic"   4:08
3. "Delta X"   4:33
4. "Tremolo Man"   10:27
5. "Euclids Pickel"   13:48
6. "Chameleon Body"   9:18
7. "Little Bang!"   7:38
8. "You-Bahn"   5:27

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – EMS Synthi 'A', noise electronics, metal, filters, voice


Marfan Syndrome

Marfan Syndrome
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded September 1994 – January 1995 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 51:51

"Marfan Syndrome for Blue" is first track to use EMS synthesiser.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Marfan Syndrome for Blue" (remix) 7:07
2. "Oldenbergs Soft Gun"   18:39
3. "Spider Nest Castle Pt. 1"   12:26
4. "Un Br Che"   11:25
5. "Yosef Voice"   2:12

Notes

  • Track 1 appeared with different mix on Eternal Blue Extreme compilation, Somnus, 1994
  • Track 4 appeared edited on Coruscanto by Reiko Azuma, Nekoisis, 1995
  • All others previously unreleased

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – noise electronics, EMS, Synare 3, metals, rubber bass guitar, telephone signal, tape, voice
  • Reiko Azuma – voice on tracks 1 & 5


Rhinogradentia

Rhinogradentia
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1995–1996 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 55:36

Masami Akita performed solo twice as Zecken, playing this style.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Rhinogradentia"   14:52
2. "Silver Scintillator"   16:41
3. "Narco"   24:02

Notes

  • Remixed in 1997

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – noise electronics, EMS, audio generator, filters


Space Mix Travelling Band

Space Mix Travelling Band
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded 1994–1997
Length 59:03

Tracks 1 & 2 are based on four channel tape: two channels recorded in 1994 and used on tracks of the same period, and two channels of EMS recorded in 1996. Additional EMS and Moog overdub and final mix in 1997.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Travelling 1997"   20:04
2. "Floating Manhattan"   14:06
3. "Hongkong Suite"   24:52

Notes

  • Raw materials of tracks recorded during 1994–1996
  • Track 3 different mix used as raw material for Brisbane-Tokyo Interlace with John Watermann, Cold Spring, 1996

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – noise electronics, EMS, Moog, metals, voice, tapes


Motorond

Motorond
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded January 1997 at ZSF Produkt Studio and March 30, 1997 at Guilty, Tokyo
Length 59:18

Track 1 was most recent live performance when Merzbox was compiled.

No. Title Length
1. "Motorond Pt. 2"   31:25
2. "Motorond Pt. 1"   27:53

Notes

  • All remixed at ZSF Produkt Studio, April 1997
  • Track 2 last 10 minutes appeared on Non Stop Noise Party, Hond in de Goot, 2000

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – noise electronics, Novation Bass Station, metals, pressure pedal
  • Bara – voice


Annihiloscillator

Annihiloscillator
Studio album by Merzbow
Recorded December 1996 – March 1997 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 60:17

Selection of recent tracks when Merzbox was compiled.

All songs written and composed by Masami Akita. 

No. Title Length
1. "Hair Gun"   13:16
2. "Kyoko Hamuras Air Clyster"   12:14
3. "Black Brain of Piranese"   13:26
4. "Soft Parts 1 & 2"   17:29
5. "Wild Pair"   3:50

Notes

  • Raw material for track 2 recorded live in California, 1995
  • Track 4 appeared on Merzbow/Kadef split 10", Dreizehn, 1997

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – metal, noise electronix, EMS on track 1 & 2, Theremin on tracks 1–4, Moog on track 4
  • Reiko Azuma – noise on track 2
  • Bara – voice on track 2


Decomposition 001

Note: The following two CDs are only included with the special edition of the Merzbox.

Decomposition 001
Remix album by Merzbow / Eugene Thacker
Recorded May 18, 1997 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 59:13

Merzbow remix, followed by the original.

No. Title Length
1. "Decomposition 001" (Merzbow) 43:53
2. "Erotodatavirus" (Eugene Thacker) 15:20

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – filters, EMS Synthi 'A' on track 1
  • Eugene Thacker – noise sources, sampling, processing on track 2


Decomposition 002

Decomposition 002
Remix album by Merzbow / Shane Fahey
Recorded May 15 & June 3, 1997 at ZSF Produkt Studio
Length 64:00

Merzbow remixes, followed by the originals.

No. Title Length
1. "Decomposition 002-1" (Merzbow) 20:14
2. "Decomposition 002-2" (Merzbow) 30:47
3. "Water-drip-code" (Shane Fahey) 13:32

Personnel

  • Masami Akita – filters, EMS Synthi 'A', metal on track 1–2
  • Eugene Thacker – twin Korg MS-20s on track 3

References

  1. ^ Allmusic review
  2. ^ Jim Haynes (2001). "The Merzbox". Chunklet. http://www.chunklet.com/index.cfm?section=article&IssueID=4&ID=115. Retrieved October 18, 2011. 
  3. ^ Michael Daddino (2002). "Writing through the Merzbox". Land of a Thousand Dances. http://epicharmus.com/archive.htm. Retrieved October 18, 2011. 
  4. ^ Todd Burns (August 8, 2002). "Deconstructing the Merzbox". Stylus Magazine. http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/deconstructing-the-merzbox.htm. Retrieved October 18, 2011. 
  5. ^ "XLTD-003 - Merzbow - Merzbox". Extreme. http://www.xtr.com/catalog/xltd-003/. Retrieved October 18, 2011. 
  6. ^ a b c Woodward, Brett (1999). Merzbook "The Pleasuredome of Noise". Extreme. ISBN 0-646-38326-4. 
  7. ^ Marc Weidenbaum (April 29, 1997). "Extreme Measures". Disquiet. http://disquiet.com/1997/04/29/extreme-roger-richards/. Retrieved October 18, 2011. 
  8. ^ Sebastian Chan (November 24, 2007). "Extreme Records interview". Cyclic Defrost. http://www.cyclicdefrost.com/blog/2007/11/extreme-records-interview-by-sebastian-chan/. Retrieved October 18, 2011. 
  9. ^ Kunstradio webcast
  10. ^ Roger Batty (December 20, 2009). "The Birds of Noise". Musique Machine. http://musiquemachine.com/articles/articles_template.php?id=150. Retrieved October 18, 2011. 

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