Merzbow +
Opening Performance Orchestra – Merzopo - Sub Rosa
Sub Rosa – 2 x
cd – 2018 – SR472CD.
1-1 –Merzbow Futaomote
Part 1
1-2 –Merzbow Futaomote
Part 2
1-3 –Merzbow Yasugibushi
Part 1
1-4 –Merzbow Yasugibushi
Part 2
2-1 –Opening Performance Orchestra Fraction Elements
2-2 –Opening Performance Orchestra Fraction Music XII
Having been active
since 1979 with a massive history of hundreds of releases makes Merzbow one of
the most important historical figures in the history of modern Noise. Opening
Performance Orchestra are a Czech noise group dating back to 2006; this is
their 16th album. Merzopo is the recent split album featuring both
artists. The artwork is a kind of huge abstract painted penis by Jaroslav Buzek
which spreads across two panels of the digipack.
The Merzbow CD
begins steadily with low noise and increases to a massive overall sound, this very
quickly becomes intense and overpowering. There are extreme contrasts of wall
like distortion and sharp high-pitched sound. Sounds do override beyond
breaking point; other noises frequently enter the composition. The sound is a big,
over powering mass; this frequently breaks down to allow some respite for newer
structures of noise to be built. The Futaomote tracks are Harsh, it’s difficult
to comment if this is Merzbow’s best work, my criticism of the first two pieces
is that they get too busy to a point where the drops in overall noise are essential
to make it work again. I think the pieces are huge but could have been way more
effective if stripped back continuously, allowing more clarity of individual or
combinations of elements as there is often too much in the equation.
In the later ‘Yasugibushi’
tracks the sound does strip back more and this is a lot more interesting as
quirkier, playful elements to the sound begin to show themselves. The wider,
ambitious sound then glows through a lot more effectively. I feel the
Yasugibushi tracks are the stronger Merzbow tracks of the album. The long
die-off of Yasugibushi Part 2 is impressive as the work becomes increasingly minimal
and dramatic whilst reaching its’ end.
Fraction
Elements sees Opening Performance Orchestra Begin with ambient, ominous gloom
that rumbles and scrapes itself to life. As things begin to increasingly crash and
rumble, feedback and electronic noise begin to really rise. The growth from
slight sounds to massive noise is long and impressive. Their work builds to
assaultive, distorted walls, spikes of sharp sounds and much sonic overdrive. In
photos there appear to be four members but Discogs lists seven; I don’t know if
it’s due the number of group members, but the control over such a loud mass of
sound is excellent. The number of individual noise components is quite small,
but it builds to a massive cacophony of noise that’s controlled in every
aspect. Fraction Elements gradually builds to a wall like assault. I later
learned both their tracks were played and recorded live, impressive.
In contrast,
Fraction Music XII is a lot faster to build, it starts with pulsating drones, it
utilises sharper sounds more as well as walls of distortion and metallic
scraping. Odd drones to resonate through the noise periodically. Again, this is
a massive sound that exercises complete control and precision. There is
aggressive use of storms of distorted noise that are well pinned down by sharp
noise and drones, so they have a static hurricane like assault due to this. The
pointed focus of the sharper sounds that later overlay the distortion is sheer
accuracy.
The artists at
a brief listen appear similar. The Merzbow work is huge, but does take time to
gain real focus, once it does the magic happens. The Opening Performance
Orchestra work is simply a group in total control and at the peak of their
sonic powers.
Choppy Noodles
2019.