Customer Reviews

Music for Bondage Performance

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Apparently this is music created for Japanese rope bondage shows (the correct title is Music for Bondage Performance), a cultural phenomenon that hasn't quite caught on in America.

I think one reason why this works, despite being nihilistic atonal noise, is that the sounds are generally very clear and distinct, and don't degenerate into aural sludge. I wouldn't exactly call it catchy, but it is intriguing, often beautiful and driven by a deliberate aesthetic sensibility. Occasionally even a hint of a melody will appear from deep within the harsh, droning machinery.

Far less harsh than most of Master Akita's material, Music for Bondage Performance is a perfect introduction to Merzbow, and the greater world of noise that lies behind him. Waves of sonics provide an almost soothing background to the subdued loops above them, creating a sensual atmosphere designed to allow the viewer to focus on the performance. To someone unfamiliar with noise, it's indescribable until you hear it; imagine the ambient soundtrack to a suspense film with slightly less in the way of melody and you'll get a general idea. Fantastic stuff.

This album is a recording of noise. There is no beat, no words, no melody, etc... If these criteria are all you think of when you think of music, then perhaps listening to this album will expand your perception of the term. Merzbow is Japanese Industrial Noise. If you like Einsturzende Neubauten, give this artist a try.

I don't know about the atmosphere of bondage performances, I've never experienced any, but many people in Japan (and in the rest of the world I guess) are interested in bondage, that's one thing you can learn from Masami Akita's liner notes to this CD (and an other thing is, that it is very different from the average S&M cultivated in the Western cultures). This album by Merzbow is indeed music for bondage performance, as the tracks were made for them. Thus they are very different from the other Merzbow albums, the music is more "musical", while it is still atonal music most of the time, and quite creepy. The artwork of the album is proffessional and so is Akita's text about bondage history in Japan. To bondage enthusiasts it is probably very interesting. Actually the music on this CD was recorded between 1989-1991, so it's an early Merzbow CD release. All in all this is excellent music, however I think I liked Music for Bondage Performance 2 better.

Sadomasochism. Admittedly I have no idea what's going on or how the hell he gets the noises out of his machines. But it works well. Effectively enough to make this an unsettling mixture of noise and music ( though then again it could just be noise )

Have to say I was intrigued by the liner notes giving a detailed account about the different forms of sadomasochism from the Western World and how it infiltrated Japan and how Japanese people made their own types of s+m. Extremely interesting if you feel like reading them. Of course it shows pictures and drawings as well to help illustrate the idea behind them. Perhaps giving a few kinky ideas for lovers everywhere......just be careful though, alright?

It's not a total noise blast like what I heard from samples of Pulse Demon.....it's a little more pleasant but having said that it's still an abrasive mix and can create a god almighty racket but this is Merzbow and that's what we expect, don't we?

I'm not going to lie and say everyone should try this - that would be an insane thought. All I will say is if you feel adventurous enough to get this album - go ahead - if not, I wouldn't stand in your way in whatever other purchase you make

what in the world is this. can someone tell me.