Razor Noise- Manifest

Artist: Razor Noise
CD Title: Manifest
Label: Out Records
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 1/11/05

Razor Noise’s full-length distinguishes itself from most of the experimental techno on the Out Records label by wearing its industrial and even rock influences on its sleeve. While there is plenty of electronic weirdness, exemplified by the mechanical breakbeats of “When It Falls Apart” or the robotic voice treatments on “Full Of Admonition,” this album is as much Throbbing Gristle as it is Aphex Twin. “Negative Thought Process” is avant-garde, to be sure, but with its analog loops and ominous marching rhythms, it could almost be one of Skinny Puppy’s “Brap” outtakes. Guitars even show up; “Inja” blends thrash metal guitars with heavily manipulated samples, and “My Name Is Paul” shouts enough post-punk madness to do J.G. Thirlwell proud. The songs don’t blend together, exactly, either. Distorted bass jams might fade into reverberating swamp noises, but the quiet bits are so often juxtaposed with the loud, grating parts that it’s hard to ever get completely settled with this. With a name like Razor Noise, though, it’s probably safe to assume that we’re not supposed to.

Visit www.outrecords.com for more information on Razor Noise.