Search - Merzbow :: Music for Bondage Performance

Not painful, just challenging

Phil Kretschman | Philly | 05/18/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An all-around solid work, and one of Akita's earliest indications that he wouldn't be content with the same old harsh assault with each release. Quite varied works, with more of a focus on textures and strange rhythms than on previous releases. While it's not entirely laid-back or subdued, Merzbow displays a much different form of aural hostility here. Lots of creepy ambient passages, glowing feedback, metallic rattling, and other sounds that never succumb to boring white-noise scuzz. Maybe a bit Asmus Tietchins influenced, in a way? Production isn't as crystal clear as some other releases but don't let that bother you. Highly recommended if you're just getting introduced to experimental music in general, or if you think all Merzbow does is "make harsh noise.""

Ambient and unrelenting

Phylo Brag | New York, NY | 12/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A bit of a forced "sequel" to Music for Bondage Performance. What makes the album good to listen to is that it is every bit as unrelenting as his power electronics, but a different texture altogether. It has the same menacing darkness as the first Bondage release. If Music for Bondage 1 was a spooky funhouse, then Music for Bondage 2 is a spooky roller coaster. You really want to get off but you came to enjoy the thrill. Really not dissimilar Music for Bondage Performance 1 except for the aggressive nature of loops. This disc's source material is more obviously found sound, while the first Bondage disc had a lot of recorded improvised tapes like the Ecobondage LP. Also the music on this disc is much more layered.
The last track on this disc is a takeout from the first Bondage release. It can be listened to to compare the style of his late 80's early 90's experiments to his one's from 1993 and 1994. What a difference a year can make with Merzbow."