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[PLOT SUMMARY]
DESCRIPTION:
Swedish blacknoise architect Henrik Nordvargr Björkk has been all over our stereo lately, with that excellent new Nordvargr/Drakh CD on Tumult, Goatvargr's ripping industrial buzzsaw filth, and the blistering Northern Black Supremacy CD on 20 Buck Spin from his black metal/necronoise alter ego Vargr all being played on a regular basis. His signature fusion of harsh industrial textures, icy ambience, and the most skeletal shapes of Scandinavian black metal was first perfected with his old band MZ.412, and since then Nordvargr has continued to explore all manner of extreme black electronics through projects like the heavy militant rhythms of Toroidh to Muskel, his harsh black noise entity that only did one album, this 2003 full length that was released by the Malignant Records sub-label Black Plagve. Seven Days Of Pain is filled with horrific imagery of torture instruments, bodies wrapped in razorwire, and corroded, rusting atmosphere, packaged in a 4-panel digipack, and featuring seven tracks of brutal evil electronics.
The minimal pulses at the beginning of "Spoonfed Entrails" lead you to think that you're about to descend into dark ambient territory, but that notion is quickly nixed as Muskel's sizzling feedback and eerie sinewaves rise up and float through mangled heaps of wrecked metal, blasts of savage metallic guitar riffing stuck in an eternal holding pattern, and crushing, crunching loops of distortion, while heavily processed demonic vocals shriek and moan swooping over the swirling, throbbing hellscape of low-end deathdrone. "För Syftet Ämnad" is a maelstrom of clanging machine noise and crushing overmodulated rhythmic pulse, followed by the looping feedback shrieks, sinister whispers and hellish manipulated vocal samples of "Svett och Blod". The seventeen minute "Scars" is the centerpiece of the album, beginning with sparse chunks of treble-overloaded distortion and blackened feedback sculpting and slowly evolving into a devouring mass of harsh wall-noise that towards the end begins to reveal what sounds like enormous doom metal riffs stretched apart into huge crumbling blots of metallic heaviness speckled with celestial melodic fragments, like Black Boned Angel or Sunn O))), before fading off into a wasteland of squealing amplifier rumble. The closing track "Ensam" is a mere minute and a half, but is an effective closer as it sprays shredding feedback drone over an ominous two-note subterranean pulse.
This disc is loaded with terrifically nasty electronic violence, ultra heavy and harsh, like a mutant hybrid of Troniks style harsh electronic noise and amorphous abstract Metal heaviness all melted down into an industrial soundscape inferno.
HEATHEN HARVEST:
Muskel is a new project put out by the ever-prolific Swedish noise master Henrik Nordvargr Björkk. Muskel is release by Black Plagve. Black Plagve in turn is a mutation of Malignant Records of Baltimore, Maryland. Muskel - Seven Days of Pain is marketed as a no frills noise album. No references to dark ambient or neoclassical musings apply here. Muskel is pure unadulterated hardcore old school noise. Complete with ear shredding sirens, white noise walls of sound and angst filled vocalist that voices our collective rage.
Muskel Begins with a track titled “Spoonfed entrails.” The song begins somewhat subdued and atmospheric. Reverberating drones form the foundation of the song as they putter out a steady throbbing bass. A shrill siren joins the music as it slides between tones. It is unnerving and piercing in its volume and is acoustically in contrast with the reverberating bass. A lengthy interlude is spent tweaking the piercing siren. Noise finally begins to dominate as the reverberating bass and piercing siren are fully engulfed in a sonic tornado of white noise and distorted vocals. The effect is a slow build up into a full on noise attack.
The fourth song on the album is tilted “For Syftet Amnad.” This song makes the intro sound like a strumming guitar ballad. Harsh noise is unleashed on the listener from the get go. The music is slightly rhythmic with a monotonous pulsing core. Harsh screeching noise is shot across the foundation of the rumbling bass and throbbing drones. Pounding metal sounds cascade over the torrent of noise in an over the top assault that deafens the listener. Akin to a 747 crashing across a runway in flames after a failed landing. The sound of screeching noise and rumbling bass is relentless and domineering.
The sixth song on the album is titled “Scars.” “Scars” stands out in representing a more harnessed sound. The sounds are more muffled and submissive. The effect is one of a snarling badger that is being forced into compliance. Feelings of festering rage and emotions that cannot be contained are invoked in the listener. The music is expertly manipulated to allow key elements to break free and lash out against the heavy handed control. I found this song much more interesting than the previous assaults of noise. A sense of aiming for something new and unique was communicated by the composition. Nevertheless, do not worry just as you are collecting your shattered nerves Muskel releases his battle cry in all it ferocity. Nothing is spared in the ensuing onslaught of distortion and musical blood lust.
Fans of noise and Radical Faeries who follow the work of Henrik Nordvargr Björkk will definitely want this release to complete your collection. It is a great up front noise album. It is not quite at the point of pushing the envelope. I would consider the release more of an exploration of the established noise terrain. The benefits of the music lay within the nuances and deeply imbedded manipulations found in the music. If you are equipped mentally to handle being hammered by noise while you follow the undercurrents of the music then you will get something out of Muskel. If the idea of noise and its manipulation does appeal then of course you might want to pass and look towards some Malignant Records releases that are more accessible for noise novices. Perhaps such novice Faeries would be more comfortable pursuing other Malignant artists such as Navicon Torture Technologies or Jarl.
As far as ritual and spiritual work goes, there could be many options for this album. Perhaps used as a psychic expellant or for mental endurance exercises. In the hands of the wicked, this music could easily be played to drive out demons like your neighbor or *censored*y roommate! Remember when you play Muskel play it loud and without mercy!
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Don't forget to check out all of our other CRUCIAL BLAST -approved AVANT METAL / MUTANT NOISE releases in our Ebay store and on auction. Lots of OOP and RARE items too!
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[CONDITION+INFO]
BRAND NEW, UNPLAYED ITEM STILL SEALED IN SHRINKWRAP.
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>> WE DEAL IN HEAVY JAMS << |
CRUCIAL BLAST is an independant underground label and mailorder specializing in cutting edge, "experimental" heavy music from the indie universe with a particular focus on avant-Metal, heavy mutant noise and drones, and edgy/abrasive/weird "outsider" rock and pop. You'll find everything from art-damaged European metalcore to amplifier-exploding psychedelic drones in our listings, which we update every week. We like our sounds weird, and we like 'em heavy. You're not going to find the popular flavor-of-the-month "alternative" music here...these are new mutations in extreme music.
>> SHIPPING AND PAYMENT INFO <<
In the U.S., Winner pays $3.00 USPS 1st CLASS MAIL shipping/handling for this first CD, 7", or audio cassette, unless specifically otherwise stated (in the case of specially packaged items that require special packaging and handling). Shipping/Handling is $1.00 each for any additional CDs, 7"s, or audio cassettes that are purchased at the same time. THIS IS FOR US BIDDERS ONLY!
INSURANCE is optional, but recommended,as we are not responsible for packages lost or destroyed in the mail unless they are insured. ***As stated above, we combine Shipping & Handling on multiple item purchases, so grab more noise and save!***
If you want INSURANCE, please add $1.50 for up to $50 coverage or add $2.20 for coverage up to $100. Seller is NOT responsible for any package lost by the USPS... so if it's a valuable item, insurance is suggested. PayPal payment get next day shipping upon receipt (and same day if we receive payment before 12 noon!). NO PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED.
NOTE: INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS:
1st CLASS INTERNATIONAL TO CANADA & MEXICO: $3.50 1st CLASS INTERNATIONAL shipping/handling for this first CD, 7", or audio cassette, and $1.00 each for any additional CD, 7", or audio cassette purchased at the same time.
1st CLASS INTERNATIONAL TO REST OF THE WORLD: $6.50 for this first CD, 7", or audio cassette, and $2.00 each for any additional CD, 7", or audio cassette purchased at the same time.
All international shipments are sent UNINSURED unless buyer specifically requests international insurance rate, which will be quoted. NOTE: INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING WITH INSURANCE is very expensive!! Please contact us via email for your specific shipping costs prior to bidding!!
Payment is expected within 10 DAYS from the end of auction. THANKS!! |
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