Brooklyn‘s noise addicts A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS led by maestro Oliver Ackermann have the 3rd single, named DON’T TURN THE RADIO,
that’s part of ‘The Sevens’, a series of four 7-inch vinyl records on white vinyl
that unveil a treasure trove of previously unreleased tracks from their terrific
6th LP See Through You.
Ackerman: “When looking back at the recordings that were done around the time
of ‘See Through You’, there were a bunch of great tracks that just captured life back
then and really had something incredible going on. Even though they are a bit raw
and a bit personal, I thought it would be a mistake if they didn’t come out.
I thought it would be best to go back to my roots and put out a series of 7-inches the way
A Place To Bury Strangers started. That strange weird format where the tracks each speak
for themselves; no album context to muddy the water. These tracks are such a contrast to
the way I am feeling now and the current songs we’ve been working on so slip back into this moment in time.”
Ackerman at work in Belgium – Photo by TUTV
TUTV: Don’t Turn The Radio is a hypnotizing, ongoing Krautrock-like jam that works like
a magnet. Less chaotic and crushing than your vintage APTBS exploits but Ackermann only needs 133 seconds here to hypnotize your ears and your mind with entranced electricity and cacodemonic vocals. A galvanic psych groove.
Ackerman: “When looking back at the recordings that were done around the time
of ‘See Through You’, there were a bunch of great tracks that just captured life back
then and really had something incredible going on. Even though they are a bit raw
and a bit personal, I thought it would be a mistake if they didn’t come out.
I thought it would be best to go back to my roots and put out a series of 7-inches the way
A Place To Bury Strangers started. That strange weird format where the tracks each speak
for themselves; no album context to muddy the water. These tracks are such a contrast to
the way I am feeling now and the current songs we’ve been working on so slip back into this moment in time.”
Chasing Colors is a jittery snorter of a track. Both nerve-racking
and strangely addictive with its mind-bending guitar distortion and Ackerman‘s ghostly vocals. With APTBS you’re always disconnected
from reality, as we know it, and it feels fine.
And they’re back in town now and announced a series of 7″ singles.
Info: ‘The Sevens’ are four 7-inch vinyl records on white vinyl being released each month from now through April. They unveil a treasure trove of previously unreleased tracks from A Place To Bury Strangers‘ critically acclaimed sixth album, ‘See Through You’. Renowned for their visceral sonic assault and immersive live performances, A Place To Bury Strangers has cemented the end-all-be-all space for over-the-top post-punk/shoegaze destruction. With this special vinyl collection, the band invites listeners to delve deeper into their sonic universe, exploring uncharted territories and hidden gems.
Ackerman: “When looking back at the recordings that were done around the time
of ‘See Through You’, there were a bunch of great tracks that just captured life back
then and really had something incredible going on. Even though they are a bit raw
and a bit personal, I thought it would be a mistake if they didn’t come out.
I thought it would be best to go back to my roots and put out a series of 7-inches the way
A Place To Bury Strangers started. That strange weird format where the tracks each speak
for themselves; no album context to muddy the water. These tracks are such a contrast to
the way I am feeling now and the current songs we’ve been working on so slip back into this moment in time.”
CHANGE OF GOD is the first single with ‘It Is Time‘ as the B-side.
I’ll be released physically this Friday, 23rd February. Order info: HERE.
TUTV: Change Of God sounds as if sonic turmoil architect Ackerman broke his
deafening-sound-wall down, decided to reduce (a bit) the amount of decibels
for once, and composed a hypnotic, magnetic, hauntingly melodic jam with his
echoing voice up front, while schizophrenic guitars and a relentless bass riff try, as usual, try to kidnap the song, but this time they weren’t allowed to do so which makes this striking stroke pretty special.
Chum are a pretty kooky combo that got my ears trembling with joy with their
grooves-filled debut LP a few weeks ago. Its lead single Beefake Doctrine is a
manic mind-twister with its trancy beats creating a mesmeric and puzzling
razzmatazz you can’t and you won’t run from.
With 1:18 these post-punk-rock misfits dropped a neurotic caterwaul that goes forth and back with burning pzazz. Monomaniacal vocalist Angus Rogers gets worked up to an almost hysterical level and sounds like a tormented and obsessed soul and the band’s horn duo blow their lungs out with nerve-racking urgency. Blimey!
My Illusion is a head-banging and riff-crushing jackhammer that makes
your fists pump in the air, makes your legs shake, and triggers you to check out
your vocal cords’ potential. Ignore your illusions, just get real and get out to party.
For those about to rock Electric Circus salute you.
DTL’s mastermind LL Schultz‘s expresses her frustration and stressful state of mind
caused by those two claustrophobic pandemic years with this high-strung cry out. Its ominous mid-tempo progression, its swelling intensity advancing over an ongoing
hypnotic guitar riff and her sky-scraping send shivers down your spine.
Lockdown threw Schultz to the mat, but it couldn’t
knock her out and she’s back stronger than ever.
London‘s up-and-coming young dogs DEADLETTER rattle on repeat
on this rad ripper spiced with relentless vocality, a sensuous saxophone,
a pumping bass and a sickly sticky chorus. 5-star punk funk.
With Sub these Chicago dudes sound like a cross between legends Gang Of Four and Parquet Courts. It’s a riff motherrocker making your head spin uncontrollably. On top of it comes the singer’s highly tense vocal performance. Don’t miss this holy smoke cracker.
These noisy indies from Bristol, UK Post-punk at its sharp-cutting best. Neurotic guitars and frenetic drums alternated with freaked-out vocals, rhythm changes that drive you nuts, an instrumental Devo-esque intermezzo and a mind-boggling climax. I have nothing whatsoever to complain about.
Who? A socially caring dark disco duo featuring Ony Godfrey and Fauzan Pratama from Indonesia.
Your Death Is My Glory is about political hypocrisy
that suppresses the common people for their own
benefit.
It’s a steamed-up disco corker. A catchy-as-hell boomer that
accelerates your bloodstream. An irresistible tune to jump up
and down to like mad while giving the middle finger to all
power-greedy politicians.
The video is a DIY rapid-eye-movement tour de force.
All Of A Sudden is a B-side that easily could be an A-side. It features on the 12″ of
the previous single No Reason It’s a rotating beats-banger to start and end all
(il)legal raves with. It’ll make your adrenalin production go through the roof.
Lunar Twin‘s new full-length opus Aurora is an ideal
companion to relax with when the twilight sets.
One of the highlights and my favorite track Cars is a trippy dreamwave
with tingling guitars, scintillating synths, and near-whispering voice
combining for a top-notch vibration.
This masked Italian dance act describe themselves as “losers on a planet
where nobody really wins. He who has nothing to lose cannot lose anything.”
They recently released a must-hear 5-track EP with Juicy Lips as one of the 5 highlights.
A capricious crackerjack for nightclubs where misfits, dropouts, eccentrics and other related outsiders have a ball. Wicked music for wicked people by wicked madcaps.
They decided to invite an impressive cast of musical friends to remix songs
from that album. The collection is namedSee Trough You: Rerealized. You
can buy it here. The digital version will be available from June 2.
Andy Bell of legendary shoegaze band Ride operating under the moniker
of GLOK is one of the remixes. He picked the psych-mind-bending piece I’m Hurt and turned it into an ambient techno stunner with Kraut-rock-like
synth rhythms and chainsaw guitar fragments. Score!
Who? A British quartet inspired by a mutual passion for the sights,
sounds and creative experimentation of the mid to late 1960s with
its unique blend of garage rock, psychedelia and acid folk.
A 60s colored psych-pop gem that could be written by Californian legends
The Mamas & Papas. Layered vocals, jangly guitars (playing backward at
one point. Remember The Beatles‘ Tomorrow Never Knows song?), and an
infectious chorus. Play it 81 times.
“A song inspired by my walks to coffee shops, my friends,
the band TOPS, and the scotch I like to drink!”
Easy-going tunes you can hum and whistle like this one are always welcome on my headphones after having too much noizz buzzing in my ears. Scotch is a laid-back, jaunty, and happy-go-lucky melody enriched with sunlit guitar play. Perfect for a walk in the city on a lazy Spring day. Kelly‘s mellow voice sounds like it was meant to sing devil-may-care songs like this one. Canadacana at its strolling best. Bottoms up!
To celebrate the first anniversary of their debut album 10 MinutesGmbtLife decided to cover a Pixies classic.
They picked one of their best-known songs, Monkey Gone To Heaven from 1989. Their take is pretty special and surprising. They decelerated it and added subtle piano play, distorted guitars, and low-pitched vocals.
Last year when Brooklyn’s notorious noiseniks A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS
unleashed their 6th album See Trough You, Turn Up The Volume wrote: “What
does it sound like? Remember Ozzy Osbourne telling his mates about movies that
scare people and his idea of making music that scares people. That’s exactly what A Place To Bury Strangers do. Their gloom and doom force is intimidating.”
Ackermann-ic
Last Saturday, when they hit Belgium with scary big bangs and my head was rotating
in several directions I remembered that quote and the thought came up that APTBS
would kick Black Sabbath‘s asses any day of the week, easily. Fact!
Dragged In A Hole – a stunning show highlight
Only one song in and mastermind-guitarist-vocalist Oliver Ackermann had molested
his guitar and needed another one to continue the thunder and stroboscope lighting spectacle. His 6-string chainsaw and his demonic howling accentuate the exorcistic
My Bloody Valentine feel of this extravagant hallucinatory ceremony. Insanity in motion.
An APTBS show is a physical and psychological experience. Physical, because
your body really feels the gargantuan noise going through you and psychological
because your mind gets clobbered, messed up, turned upside down and inside out,
when confronted with such an exceptional event as this.
And the moment I thought I got lost in psych space, the trio moved into the center
of the club and continued shoulder-to-shoulder with the crowd for about an earthshaking quarter. A glorious intimate happening while they kept on bashing and trashing in the free world.
A mean hammering machine
A special word for new drummer Sandra Fedowitz. She’s a non-stop, mean hammering machine. Her gusto, her grinta, her fervency are just off the charts. Along with the also relatively new bassist John Fedowitz she keeps the band’s hyperkinetic heart beating in overdrive for the full 60 minutes. Ecstatic pandemonium with tons of illegal decibels.
A drummer and a freak
The finale truly was hair-rising and breathtaking with Sandra up front, battering her drum while she send shivers down our spines with her primal screams having a louder-than-war contest with Ackerman‘s apocalyptic guitar terror. A Place To Bury Strangers have supernatural NOIZZZ powers to wake up the dead. Hallelujah!
Yes, louder-than-war, is what APTBS is about. I’m sure if these Brooklyn sonic chaos addicts would play the Kremlin for only 10 minutes they would blow Putin‘s fucking brains out. That would be their biggest war triumph ever.
Here’s a LOUD and CLEAR idea of APTBS’s life
Setlist.
1. Disgust 2. We’ve Come So Far 3. You Are the One 4. Dragged in a Hole 5. Ringing Bells 6. Freaks Unite 7. End of the Night 8. Hold On Tight 9. I Lived My Life to Stand in the Shadow of Your Heart 10. Have You Ever Been in Love
To get in the right zombie mood you can irritate
your neighbors with previously unreleased haymaker DON’T SAVE YOUR LOVE
Oliver Ackerman (frontman): “This song was the new direction for the band, recorded right after ‘Exploding Head’. The times were changing and there was the possibility for anything. I wanted the band to be laser-focused on breaking down the preconceived ideas of this new wave of punk music that was coming out. I wanted the new direction to be more powerful and intense than ever before and this was definitely augmented by Allen Blickle from Baroness’ drums on this track.”
Take your stereo under your arm, go to your
local graveyard and wake up the dead.
Band: A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS Who: Infamous psych-noiseniks from Brooklyn, NY
led by founder/mastermindOliver Ackermann Active: Since 2003 / 6 LPs (new one included)
“Outpacing even their own firmly blazed path of audio annihilation, this album repeatedly delivers the massive walls of chaos and noise that every A Place To Bury Strangers fan craves
in spades. See Through You is an explosive journey which explores the listener’s limits of mind-bending madness while simultaneously offering the catchiest batch of songs in the band’s discography. It’s a nod of the cap to the art school ethos of the band’s origins, while forging
a new and clear direction forward. Simply put, See Through You is an epic, instant classic.”
(credit: APTBS)
Turn Up The Volume: I love these motherfuckers. They kick bad-asses, they rage and roll, they trash and bash whether they go slo-mo, or on speed without brakes, or somewhere in the middle. What does it sound like? Remember Ozzy Osbourne telling his mates about movies that scare people and his idea of making music that scares people. That’s exactly what A Place To Bury Strangers do, and their creepy videos visualize their Doomsday vision
even more.
Ackerman’s graveyard voice leads the deafening troops backed by paranoid guitars, scorching synths and merciless drum attacks. Psych-noise-rock turned upside down. Lovely, right? You bloody betcha.
Singles/clips: My Head Is Bleeding / Let’s See Through You / I Disappear / Love Reaches Out
Band: A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS Who: Infamous psych-noiseniks from Brooklyn, NY
led by founder/mastermindOliver Ackermann Active: Since 2003 / 6 LPs (new one included)
Info (via Rough Trade): “A Place to Bury Strangers defund post-punk orthodoxy with the most audacious and varied songwriting of their career on their sixth album, See Through You, out on Oliver Ackermann’s label, Dedstrange. Following up on 2021’s highly acclaimed Hologram EP delivers an overclocked set of futuristic electronic punk music encoded with punishing industrial rhythms, swirling voltage-starved guitars and unclassifiable auditory annihilation. Across thirteen tracks recorded in seclusion throughout the nihilistic absurdity of the coronavirus pandemic, See Through You is proof-positive that the group hailed as “The Loudest Band in New York” is still finding new ways to push the needle deeper in the red.”
Band: A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS Who: Infamous psych-noiseniks from Brooklyn, NY
led by founder/mastermindOliver Ackermann Active: Since 2003 / 6 LPs (new one included)
Second LP taster following lead-single Hold On Tight
Ackerman: “When the getting’s good, I hold on tight. Sometimes
I forget to enjoy where I am and the people around me. It is critical
to be thankful and enjoy existence and have fun. Having a bad night?
Reflect and kick yourself into gear.”
I love these motherrockers. They kick bad-asses, they rage
and roll, they trash and bash. Nine Inch Nails on speed.
Here they crush a catching pop melody under a wall of an illegal
amount of frenzied guitar decibels. All you need to go horn-mad
and punch Santa in the face. Sounds like big fun? You betcha!
The accompanying shows you how
to mess up your Xmas diner…
