Bells Into Machines promo teaser

Classic Wax Trax! fans rejoice -- for coming soon, Bells Into Machines will be releasing their double-CD debut. What's Bells Into Machines? Gentleman Chris Connelly fronts the band, alongside old mates Paul Barker (Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Lead Into Gold, etc.), Lee Popa (Pigface), and others.

Check this video promo sampling several cuts, and visit their websites:
BIM FB

BIM dot com

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Kommandant - "Stormlegion" CD

Chicago black metal reissue

Kommandant's 2008 debut album is here reissued, and it's a 13-song set of blurry black metal created by a group from Chicago that consists of "anonymous" members of other bands, including Nachtmystium and Sarcophagus. It's really pretty solid work, with precise drumming and guitars, and the usual distorted witchy vocals.

My only issue here is the production, in which the drums sound a wee tinny and dry. Otherwise, as a debut offering, "Stormlegion" is a solid work of fearsome, if unremarkable, black metal madness.

Higher Power/MVD Audio

Kommandant site

The Jesus Lizard - "Club" DVD

We all have, at the end of the day, great regrets in life. One of mine is not seeing The Jesus Lizard live in their prime. This tremendous live DVD goes a little ways toward righting that wrong.

Filmed during the band's 2009 reunion, "Club" is a wonderful up-close-and-personal, pro-shot experience. The band is as tight (and shiny?) as ever, and frontman David Yow is manic and driven like a madman. The band trounce through most of their early-catalog favorites like "Seasick", "Mouthbreather", "Then Comes Dudley", "Monkey Trick", "Glamourous", and 17 more. It's a full-on frontal assault, with precise, math-rock like grooves and Yow's strained, gargled, and feral vocals. In other words, prime Jesus Lizard. This is a dirty rock show minus the spilled beer and body odor. 

These guys still kick ass years later. Serious fans need to pick this up, as do those who never got the chance to see them. And if the 70-ish minute DVD isn't enough, they've included bonus MP3 files of all the tracks, so you can kick out the Jesus Lizard jams on your ipod, too! Rock on, boys.

(MVD Visual)

The Jesus Lizard website

KLLU - "UpsideDownCrossRoads" album

This downtempo ambient/dark dub release comes from members of Chicago grindcore/dub act Drug Honkey. And though it's a much more subtle direction from these guys, it remains equally as engrossing. Beginning with the ominous horror dub-hop of "Approach", this album would do well as an alternate score to the compelling FX TV series "American Horror Story". 

"Dead, Like Me", is a more laid-back affair, like if The Orb made sounds for a haunted house. "Keep Us Forever" is a sly, foggy dub tune with plenty of otherworldly reverb going on, whereas the blackened bass-hop of "Beliefs In Hate" features Eraldo Bernocchi (of Sigillum S, SIMM, and Bill Laswell collaborator). The all-too brief (31-minutes) album closes with the sinister "Impossible Dark", which is 8 minutes of atmospheric terror. Perfect.

Points of reference? How about Coil, Scorn, the early soundscapes of classic Skinny Puppy, or Lustmord. A superlative release in every way, and I hope it makes it to CD or vinyl soon. (self-released)

KLLU bandcamp

R.I.P. Jamie Duffy of Acumen Nation & DJ? Acucrack

Just got the news today that Jamie Duffy, famed as guitarist/programmer/producer for Chicago industrial/electro rockers Acumen Nation & DJ? Acucrack, and producer/engineer for bands like Ministry, Pigface, Chris Connelly, Sister Soleil, Chemlab, Lard, and others, passed away June 21, 2012 by his own hand. We at Goatsden HQ never knew Jamie personally, but we certainly own many releases bearing his name and labor. He will be missed, and we send our deepest condolences to his friends and family.  R.I.P. Jamie.

 

"Wesley Willis's Joy Rides" DVD (directors: Chris Bagley and Kim Shively)

Chicago-born artist and musician Wesley Willis passed away a few years back, but not before he found a receptive and enthusiastic international audience through his music and drawings. The unlikely (and self-proclaimed) rock star, who was tormented by chronic schizophrenia (and some tumultuous inner "demons"), brought a larger-than-life spirit and over-the-top personality to whoever would lend an ear.
This touching documentary succeeds in capturing the essence of what made his life so unusual and so inspiring. It's a non-stop joyride, to use one of Wesley's favorite expressions. Seeing him hawking his CDs on the streets, or reveling in the audience's applause, or even chatting with the haircutters during a simple haircut, proves to be a funny, entertaining, and charming experience. His simplistic, sometimes-childlike songs were based around his day-to-day experiences, and he wrote songs for nearly everyone he befriended. Directors Bagley and Shively have compiled footage of Wesley in his later years, and it's a fitting tribute to the man and his legend, and includes interviews with Wesley's family, as well as his closest friends. It's evident the filmmakers were close to Wesley, as this loving portrait of an artist who, in his own way, changed the world for the better. He had a larger-than-life joviality and sense of wonder about the world that made him an icon and a character like no other. This DVD is a harmony joy bus ride. (Eyeosaur Productions / MVD Visual)

Wesley Willis's Joyrides site

Pelican - "What We All Come To Need" CD

Chicago's progressive/metal act migrates to Southern Lord for their 4th album, and this one follows much in the path of their past work -- lengthy, intricately-developed instrumental rock that takes aspects of heavy indie, doom metal, drone, and even math rock and adds a monumental heaviness that will endear them to fans of kindred spirits like Tool, Isis, Jesu, Mono, or Sunn O))). "The Creeper" features some guest guitars from Greg Anderson, himself of Sunn O))), but the music is purely Pelican. The twin guitar attack of Laurent Schroeder-Lebec and Trevor de Brauw interweaves delicate melodies below seas of monolithic riff. Pelican's heavy (and heady) music leaves behind any semblance of ego or pretense, as these players create songs that sometimes sweep and float, at at other times twist into a tumultuous firestorm of angst and thunderous momentum. Tracks like "Strung Up From The Sky" epitomize everything that Pelican stands for -- strong, muscular, and tight riffing, softer passages, a monstrous rhythm section, and melodies wafting around the gargantuan (song) structure. Nothing here is tired, rote, overplayed, or showy. Superb work, and perhaps Pelican's finest thus far. (Southern Lord)

Pelicanspace

Pelican page

Dessau - "The Truth Hurts" CD

It's been a long road for Nashville-based industrial rock act Dessau. Centered around programmer/vocalist John Elliott, Dessau saw relative success in the form of actual MTV airplay and a club hit with 1990's "Isolation". Elliott worked alongside such genre heavyweights as Al Jourgensen and Paul Barker of Ministry, as well as famed Joy Division producer Martin Hannett, among many others. And, truth be told, these co-conspirators are a good way to describe the overall sound of Dessau. "The Truth Hurts" isn't so much a new album (the last one of those for Dessau was 1995), but a collection of unreleased sessions, alternate mixes, early vinyl cuts, and a pair of live Joy Division covers. In short, a treasure trove for fans, and a superb intro for the uninitiated. Dessau's work here moves from the brooding cover of Ministry's early synthpop gem "Revenge" (here amped up and ready to fight), to the boldly anthemic (yet catchy) "Sun", to the dubby trip-hop instrumental "Chalkline", which boasts of production by Chicago's Die Warzau team. It's hard and heavy all the way on "The Truth Hurts", with good hooks, as in the concussion-inducing dance rock leviathan, "Beijing", presented here in an unreleased mix/version. The earlier material (recorded circa 1985) is a little less angry, and more melodic, as evidenced by tracks like the almost new-wavey "Crutch Of Utility". All-in-all, a uniformly consistent collection, and hopefully a harbinger of new material for Elliott and Dessau. (WTII Records)



Godsend Interview with Dessau, 1995

Dessau Discography @ Godsend

Big Black - "Way Hap Ultimate Rarities" 2xCD

Steve Albini is probably known more now as a recorder/producer, single-handedly helping to put grit on some classic indie rock and noise albums. I'm not about to go into details about which legendary releases he's worked on. The older folks remember Albini as frontman for notorious and confrontational Chicago noise-grind band Big Black (before he formed the relatively less confrontational Shellac). Big Black released several fine LPs on Touch & Go Records way back in the day, with titles like "Atomizer", "Songs About Fucking", and "Pigpile". These are all essential listening for anyone with an ear for anti-social guitar/gutter rock.

Here, someone has compiled a masterful selection of unreleased and rare Big Black compilation tracks, demos, and oddities (including some work by Stations, which featured Albini and future Dessau mainman John Elliott, interestingly). Anyway, "Way Hap Ultimate Rarities" is a 2xCD set of assorted Big Black nuggets, and some wonderful soul has posted these fine recordings for you to suckle on. Let the nihilism rain down on thee!

CD1
CD2

Drug Honkey - "Death Dub" CD

I've been a big fan of these Chicago boys for some time. Suffice to say, if you like music that is mean, ugly, greasy, and hateful - here's something that may float your boat. Drug Honkey (great name) create a twisted and subversive collision of noise, grindcore, and heavy electronic dub that transcends any certain genre.

On this, their third monumental slab of ugliness, Drug Honkey sucker-punch you with tracks like 'Communion'. See for yourself - it's heavy and dense as any death metal or industrial noise act, but even more disjointed and dirty, even. I mean that in a good way. Brutal? Most certainly. But whereas other acts may use speed to convey aggression, Drug Honkey are a slow, deliberate, plodding punch to the gut. Imagine if Flipper has a bastard love child with (early) Napalm Death, then did a threesome with the freeform dub madness of Kevin Martin's God. Insidious, dark, and feral, Drug Honkey has your number. Lock your doors - I wouldn't trust these chaps with the pets! Hah! (Drug Honkey)

KMFDM - "Extra Vol.1" 2xCD

Compiling tons of vinyl and CD-singles from their classic Wax Trax! Records heyday (1986-1992), this set shows the German-American industrial rock group's quick progression and growth as they stormed the states on a huge tour with Ministry in their prime (1989-90). Beginning with the early raw electronic-beats of stuff like 'Don't Blow Your Top' (featured here in a superb Adrian Sherwood remix), 'Extra' follows the group into a dancier, clubby realm ('Naive', here remixed a couple of times by Chicago sleaze-disco act Thrill Kill Kult), some trippy psycho-dub ('Virus', 'M+F 244'), and finally, their now-trademark electro-rock. One of the band's definitive cuts, 'Godlike', is reprised here, and this Slayer sampling club track can still melt dancefloors while appealing to the longhairs and headbangers at the same time. Very fun. And disc 2 has even more! KMFDM have always been masters of the anthemic, and 'Go To Hell', 'Split', and 'Money' all feature this second disc, often in multiple mixes. The remastered sound here makes it all go 'boom' in the car, as well, so that's always a plus. Overall, 'Extra' is a great collection of now-unavailable mixes and versions for the hardcore KMFDM fan, and also a fitting starting point for anyone curious about this band's extensive 22-year history. (Metropolis)

KMFDM site

The Boxhead Ensemble - "Dutch Harbor - Where The Sea Breaks" soundtrack CD

Comprised of members of various Chicago-area indie acts, this loose ensemble was formed by Michael Krassner in 1996 to record this soundtrack, but the revolving group has gone on to release several recordings since. This 1997 album (recently reissued) is a low-key set of musical vignettes that offer a moody and textural slice of atmosphere, mostly with a sort of gloomy or sad, introspective direction. I haven't seen the film, but apparently, it's not a romantic comedy! Anyhow, the group here includes contributions from notables like David Grubbs (Gastr del Sol), Doug McCombs (Eleventh Dream Day, Tortoise), Jim O'Rourke (Sonic Youth, Illusion Of Safety), David Pavkovic (Tortoise), jazzist Ken Vandermark, and even the mighty Will Oldham (on the album's only vocal take, the stark 'Ebb's Folly'). Really, this is a fairly ambient take on rock overall, with secluded piano melodies and generally inobtrusive tracks that wax and wane. It's not especially memorable, but certainly not a bad mix of improv, indie rock, and perhaps some experimental flourishes here and there. Me likes, but I don't see it getting a lot of replay around Goatsend HQ. (Atavistic)

Acumen Nation - "What The F*ck (10 Years of Armed Audio Warfare)" CD

Not so much a retrospective as a rarities collection, this lengthy 14-tracker includes a wealth of unreleased pieces from this veteran Chicago industrial-metal act. Opening with the new cut 'The Wreck Of Us' (with guest vox by 16Volt mainman Eric Powell), Acumen Nation unleashes a torrent of hardbeat rock gems that don't expand the genre, but are heavy and well-enough produced to compete with the heavyweights. KMFDM frontwoman Lucia guests on 'Life's Last Breath', and the rest of the tracks are either remixes or unreleased demo versions of Acumen classics like 'Revelations Per Minute', 'Queener', or 'Gun Lover'. All-in-all, 'What The F*ck' is a solid intro to a band existing just outside the mainstream, and who've quietly produced some of the most solid heavy electro-metal of the last decade. (WTII Records)