Internationally recognized as the premier Japanese noise artist, Merzbow is the God of Noise. Pulse Demon is a more psychedelically-flavored follow up to some of Merzbow's more brain-pummeling releases. Relapse. 2003.
Internationally recognized as the premier Japanese noise artist, Merzbow is the God of Noise. Pulse Demon is a more psychedelically-flavored follow up to some of Merzbow's more brain-pummeling releases. Relapse. 2003.
CD Reviews
The calm inside the storm
Steven Litt | Allendale, NJ USA | 08/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Those who complain about Merzbow usually say that he is pretentious and that there is nothing particularly 'deep' about his music. I think there is actually some truth to the second statement. There is nothing to 'get' about Merzbow, you are either thrilled by the thought of being pummelled by walls of unbelieveably thick, textured electric/electronic noise, with minimal attention given to rhythm and melody, or you aren't. Maybe Merzbow isn't music. I really don't care.
This is one of the most satisfying Merzbow releases, and probably the best Merzbow album to start with besides 1930. But where 1930 uses space to some extent, giving the listener at least *some* room to breathe, Pulse Demon is a nonstop, completely unrelenting assault for its entire 70+ minutes, moving through a huge variety of textures and patterns, yet constantly filling up every aural space as it does. Played at the right volume it fills up a room like nothing else, completely enveloping the listener with sheets of sculpted feedback. Merbow has certainly done this on many of his albums, but has never been as successful as on Pulse Demon. Brutal as it is, this album, as nearly all of Merzbow's work, doesn't sounds angry or violent in the way of the extreme metal bands who he loves and has drawn some inspiration from, nor in the way the majority of other noise/power electronics mainstays do.
This album thrills me in a way few others, of all genres, can. You do not relate to it on an emotional level in the way nearly all other music asks you to; I can't explain how you relate to it, or if you do relate to it at all. Pulse Demon is a meditative, psychedelic journey, and, somehow, also possibly the most unrelenting sound assault ever put on a compact disc. If that sounds good to you, this is probably worth your time."
Not for the meek-hearted...
Steven Litt | 08/04/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Most people will never hear a Merzbow piece in their life, and this is for the best. Merzbow is not for everyone; only the heartiest noise and experimental fans will be able to stand more than 30 seconds of the auditory assults recorded on this disc. The songs (though one wonders if the term song applies to compositions that eschew not only the constraints of musical structure, but also of rhythm, harmony, tonality, and discernable notes) contain no instruments, only noise generators, tape loops, and distortion. From this palette, Merzbow, aka Masami Akita, crafts tidal waves of white noise, piercing electronic shrieks, and depths-of-hell sub-bass pulses into compositions ranging from the hyperactive Woodpeckers No. 1 & 2 to the 24-minute droning epic Worms Plastic Earthbound. While the most common initial reaction to Merzbow is to run in terror, those who stay will find a peace within the chaos. After multiple listens, I find that Merzbow is not violent at ! all, but strangely calming. Sound, not music, is the focus here, and without the aforementioned constraints, pure sound becomes as intellectual as any musical piece. The feedback is three-dimensional, evoking visual images and patterns instead of aural ones. I dare say it would be a perfect record to doze off to, had it not been mastered so loud that even at low volume, it cannot be made quiet. For the few who can handle it, Merzbow offers infinite rewards. The question is, are you brave enough to reap them?"
My personal favorite (so far)
John deBoer | Farm Hill | 03/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have a bunch of Merzbow records (maybe someday I'll be rich and famous enough to get my hands on the Merzbox) and this is still my favorite, probably because it is the most "crisp", for want of a better word. Merzbow is about sound, and this album has my favorite kind of sound, in endless, astonishing variety, bottomlessly deep. Subjectively, if you like a different sound, other Merzbow releases, or other artists might be for you; if you're looking for "music", with y'know a beat or notes or whatever, of course, you should probably just avoid this entire genre. Objectively, I think, even if you don't get the "emotional & intellectual" satisfaction that I do, you have to at least acknowledge the astounding breadth of variations Masami Akita finds within a specific sound. As for me, I'm just sorry I didn't buy the silvery edition when I had the chance."
Outside the box, Outside your self
Rafael Medina | 08/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Maybe someday fire will fall from the skies to purify this earth. Now for a moment, imagine walking on the surface of the sun. This reviewer has lost most of you? I hope so, because now I can address the remaining few who are capable of understanding this audio journey which may take you to the edge of reality.
Critics are left baffled as why anyone would want to listen to this. Yes, it is devoid of conventional structure, rhythm, notes, harmony, and the other properties which make up music. Back to the question of "why?". It is because this is an evolutionary leap beyond music. Pulse Demon and noise in general, is nothing like what is on your shelves. And no, we are not fans for childish reasons such as bragging rights, or to give the impression of being extreme. Everyone gravitates towards something because they see, hear, or feel a part of themselves within that object/idea/creation.
In regards to the first listen, harsh would be an understatement. Repeated listens and closer examinations will be rewarding to you. During a listen last year, I had my first moment of clarity when I got the the fifth track, Ultra Marine Blues. This reviewer's taste range from blissful Pop to extreme Metal and HC Punk - nothing before has been capable of making time stop.
Our culture, if you can even call it that, is based on consumption. Such a shame that the ramifications are rarely discussed. To do so would mean re-examing our entire way of life. To go back to my opening statements, this is the sonic equivalent of fire. Give this a listen to split your mind wide open or simply to purify yourself."
Dizzying and Intense
J. Shell | 07/12/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Pulse Demon is an album where the packaging, title, and audio all combine flawlessly. The one I purchased was in a cardboard tri-fold packaging with the CD neatly placed in the middle, held in place by two folding cardboard strips. A man could get lost just staring at the cover with its reflective silver and black rolling stripes. It provides the visual intensity to complement the audio inside.Pulse Demon was recorded during the height of Merzbow's use of vintage electronic synthesizers such as the EMS Synthi A and VCS 3, along with metal, voice, etc. It drops you in with the excellent "Woodpecker No 1" which kicks off with an aggressive pulse generated rhythm with squall of noise punching through. Rapid pulses from the analog synths add to the frenetic pace through the rest of the track, and then appear in different (slightly less frenetic) form in "Woodpecker No 2". From there on, it's mostly intense noise and swoops until the sixth track, "Tokyo Times Ten," which starts off with low rumbles and occasional metallic pulses that punch through before building back up to big wall of noise. "Tokyo Times Ten" then drops into "Worms Plastic Earthbound," a nearly twenty five minute tour de force of still more noise that feels rather well composed. The album ends with "Yellow Hyper Balls" which sounds at times like a less frantic version of "Woodpecker No 1". A driving pulse based rhythm underscores Yellow Hyper, but not at the same pace that dominates the early tracks of the album.Of the Merzbow I've heard from this period, Pulse Demon is among the best. You get a lot of Merzbow for your money (73 minutes worth). I only give it four stars instead of five because I feel that Pulse Demon is eclipsed by Merzbow's "1930" album, which is released on the Tzadik label. 1930 features better composition and the recording/mastering quality seems to be a little bit better than Pulse Demon. But Pulse Demon remains an excellent CD and is worth having in any Merzbow or harsh noise collection."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1