Ramleh (90s version with guitars)

john eden

john eden

male pale and stale
Yeah there were bits of guitar set which were transcendental which is all I ask really...

Not picked up any of the other recent stuff, the Kleistwahr etc. Not much time to listen to stuff to I can't really justify it.

I keep meaning to get the CE bits with Russell Haswell because his stuff is great but haven't managed it - and yes agree re: Sarah, puts a different slant on the whole thing which is very welcome.

The Con-Dom album is about his Mum dying? It's better subject matter than "Even More Racial Hatred" and all those other early tapes that used to be on microscopic flyers you would get from the Grey Wolves but I've never really enjoyed his stuff. It suggests some maturing which is unusual in P.E. - hence David Keenan's thing about it all being adolescent etc.

I'm reading the "Fight Your Own War" book about power electronics that Headpress published and it is OK, brilliant in places (some good anecdotes and people who get into the black humour of it all) and not so good in others (long and boring accounts of the development of scenes in other countries which just read like "and then X formed Y and they released an album called Z on such and such a label.")
 
john eden

john eden

male pale and stale
See this review from Discogs is exactly my problem with Con-Dom

On the surface, Con-Dom may seem like a bigoted asshole but when you dive more into Mike's work you will find that the "racist" aesthetic is more of a social commentary that provides a criticism of both the left and the right. Once you look past the shocking imagery, you will find that Con-Dom makes some of the best Power Electronics, with a diverse scope in sound ranging from wall noise to harsh P.E. to atmospheric industiral, all with Mike's trademark angry vocals that sound like wacked out priest giving the final sermon of their life as judgement day reigns upon the world.

His work is meant to shock, but also entice critical thought about racism and bigotry.

With that in mind, it makes me scratch my head how Con-Dom developed a reputation as a hateful bigot meanwhile groups like Whitehouse, who arguably have the same levels of "hatred" in their lyrics become known as industrial icons. I only say this because I truly think Mike Dando deserves more praise for his contributions to Power Electronics and noise and that's exactly why I wrote this review.
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Like I don't think he actually has a reputation for being a hateful bigot because nobody has heard of the guy. But at the same time that would hardly be an incomprehensible reaction to his material and it is frankly a bit wearying to be told that's wrong because you've not tried hard enough (or are too stupid to get it, or need to give the guy a break because he is a really nice guy honest).

But yes the new album sounds intriguing and actually about something that has directly affected him rather than this abstract "investigation" about the evils or religion or the bad racisms.
 
B

BSquires

Well-known member
Glad the Ramleh live guitar assault hit all the right buttons for you - kicking myself for missing it to be honest... I have just order the Headpress book - your review reminded me but I take the warning about the micro-scene documentation...

Yes, that is the Con-Dom album I was thinking of - definitely worth a listen although it might not hit the spot for you. In general I understand where you are coming from of course - must admit I have a soft spot for 'The Eight Pillar' as well - also a more personal take on the PE thing. I've not heard much more although I did enjoy him at the Broken Flag festival as well plus I saw him in Leeds a couple of times as one-half The Grey Wolves which I quite enjoyed... Have you ever heard anything by Iron Justice? Their 'Manufacture Of Consent' LP is a favourite... and what about Iron Fist of the Sun - also a quite different take in such material...

I must admit I feel a little exposed discussing such stuff on Dissensus :eek: :D
 
subvert47

subvert47

I don't fight, I run away
BSquires said:
I managed to catch the 3-piece Consumer Electronics line-up in Notts earlier in the year - excellent I thought - especially Sarah's vocals... looking forward to their next offering...
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really? I thought they were a bit tame. nowhere near as good as last time
 
B

BSquires

Well-known member
subvert47 said:
really? I thought they were a bit tame. nowhere near as good as last time
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I'd say they weren't as loud/noisy as the last time but nevertheless I really enjoyed it - perhaps even more than the recent recordings - and I though Sarah's vocal's were excellent and move things in another direction. I am a rubbish music critic though :eek: :)
 
john eden

john eden

male pale and stale
BSquires said:
Glad the Ramleh live guitar assault hit all the right buttons for you - kicking myself for missing it to be honest... I have just order the Headpress book - your review reminded me but I take the warning about the micro-scene documentation...

Yes, that is the Con-Dom album I was thinking of - definitely worth a listen although it might not hit the spot for you. In general I understand where you are coming from of course - must admit I have a soft spot for 'The Eight Pillar' as well - also a more personal take on the PE thing. I've not heard much more although I did enjoy him at the Broken Flag festival as well plus I saw him in Leeds a couple of times as one-half The Grey Wolves which I quite enjoyed... Have you ever heard anything by Iron Justice? Their 'Manufacture Of Consent' LP is a favourite... and what about Iron Fist of the Sun - also a quite different take in such material...

I must admit I feel a little exposed discussing such stuff on Dissensus :eek: :D
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The last section of the book (the critical chapters, basically) is absolutely outstanding. I met one of the contributors at Merzbow on Saturday just after I'd finished it, so that was cool.

I've not heard anything by any of that lot I'm afraid but I wouldn't worry too much about bringing it up here - I don't think we really do witch hunts any more? ;)
 
B

BSquires

Well-known member
john eden said:
The last section of the book (the critical chapters, basically) is absolutely outstanding. I met one of the contributors at Merzbow on Saturday just after I'd finished it, so that was cool.

I've not heard anything by any of that lot I'm afraid but I wouldn't worry too much about bringing it up here - I don't think we really do witch hunts any more? ;)
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:) Excellent! Really looking forward to reading it now... and how was Merzbow? I have a few recordings but am slightly put off by the size of the discography... but suitably crushing I hope :eek:
 
john eden

john eden

male pale and stale
BSquires said:
:) Excellent! Really looking forward to reading it now... and how was Merzbow? I have a few recordings but am slightly put off by the size of the discography... but suitably crushing I hope :eek:
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Yeah I thought Merzbow was great - it was a wall of noise but there was a good shifting of texture and intensity so it never got boring. It wasn't punishingly loud either - I had earplugs with me but didn't use them. Bit of ear ringing the next day but all good after that.

I've not got any of his stuff at all tbh - might get a couple of things now, but it's good to go out and see this sort of thing at volume and get your fix that way.
 
B

BSquires

Well-known member
john eden said:
Yeah I thought Merzbow was great - it was a wall of noise but there was a good shifting of texture and intensity so it never got boring. It wasn't punishingly loud either - I had earplugs with me but didn't use them. Bit of ear ringing the next day but all good after that.

I've not got any of his stuff at all tbh - might get a couple of things now, but it's good to go out and see this sort of thing at volume and get your fix that way.
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Sounds great and I agree live is the way to go... the PE Headpress book has just arrived and looks pretty interested as you mentioned... and you are probably aware of this, but:

http://harbingersound.bigcartel.com/product/ramleh-a-return-to-slavery-lp
 
john eden

john eden

male pale and stale
BSquires said:
Sounds great and I agree live is the way to go... the PE Headpress book has just arrived and looks pretty interested as you mentioned... and you are probably aware of this, but:

http://harbingersound.bigcartel.com/product/ramleh-a-return-to-slavery-lp
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Yeah I saw that and assumed that all the tracks are in the Awake boxset, plus I have Hand of Glory on 12" already? So vinyl fetishism aside, not much reason for me to have that... be interested to know what you make of the book though.
 
M

martin

----
john eden said:
Yeah I saw that and assumed that all the tracks are in the Awake boxset, plus I have Hand of Glory on 12" already? So vinyl fetishism aside, not much reason for me to have that... be interested to know what you make of the book though.
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Weird reissue - it's not like they wouldn't have permission to press the original 'Slaughter at Random' B-side. Which was ace.
 
john eden

john eden

male pale and stale
Yeah it’s very expensive and I’m not sure there is that much to say about them?

The big Broken Flag Story piece in As Loud As Possible worked because of all the different voices and topics covered. I might be wrong but will wait for reviews. Or maybe I’ll talk myself into it and lend it to you.
 
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