Top Bar
Musique Machine Logo Home ButtonReviews ButtonArticles ButtonBand Specials ButtonAbout Us Button
SearchGo Down
Search for  
With search mode in section(s)
And sort the results by
show articles written by  
 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Controlled Bleeding - Distress Signals I [Artoffact - 2016]

Now legendary noise/industrial outfit, Controlled Bleeding, released their debut, Distress Signals I, on Broken Flag in 1984. Having never been properly reissued on CD or vinyl, this tape debut became much sought after and very hard to find. Working with Paul Lemos, Artoffact reissued Distress Signals I, and also unearthed an interesting tidbit: this wasn't what was originally intended for Broken Flag. Lemos had a second version that has been unheard to this day. This version will also be released later by Artoffact.

Clocking in at just about an hour, Distress Signals I is a harsh, noisy release that starts off with running with both feet. "The Spitting Cell" crunches and grinds noisily forward in feedback drenched bliss. The aggression to the vocal cadence seems ahead of its time when compared to the styling of modern power electronics. Harsh, crunchy, low, and rough, "The Spitting Cell" captures a young Controlled Bleeding's essence in all its noisy glory. Continuing this brash assault comes "A Human Intervention." Light drum work helps to spread the density a bit, and singing samples help to break it up even further. This shift towards rough experimental showcases more of Controlled Bleeding's skill at crafting engaging, noisy art. The layers involved take on lives of their own and throb at different paces to deepen the mix. Spreading further, "A Human Intervention" turns into a subtly creepy bit of delayed drums and screams. Moving toward higher pitches over low oscillations, "The Heretic and the Christs of Violence" lulls the listener into a false sense of security before ramping the noise back up for the impending pummeling. "Heretic" changes gears a few times throughout and feels more like a few tracks cut together instead of just one. This changing of styles is pretty indicative of Controlled Bleeding's career and proclivity to change genres. A quick hit of lo fit rumble and propulsive pulsing, "Code of Honour" makes the most of its two minute run time before breaking into a recording of what sounds like Paul Lemos and his girlfriend fighting on "Only Obeyed Orders." Throbbing and pulsing more than previous tracks, "Only" sees Controlled Bleeding experiment further with their sound. Working more drums into the mix, CB manages to get heads nodding in a noisy atmosphere. Although a fun track, this is the only one on here that really feels it's ~18 minute run time.

Finally available to the masses, Artoffact's reissue of Controlled Bleeding's Distress Signals I is a great testament to these pioneer's vanguard approach to noise, industrial, and power electronics. With a second, alternative version promised, fans of Controlled Bleeding and noise in general are in luck. One can only assume that Distress Signals II will be equally as interesting and inspiring as the first.

Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5

Paul Casey
Latest Reviews

Controlled Bleeding - Distress Si...
Now legendary noise/industrial outfit, Controlled Bleeding, released their debut, Distress Signals I, on Broken Flag in 1984. Having never been properly reis...
290324   Piranha - Piranha(DVD)
280324   Typhoon Club - Typhoon Club(B...
270324   Jerzy Skolimowski Collection ...
260324   Latex Choker - Sealed
260324   Occlusion - 59: No Input Wall
260324   Nihil Impvlse - Anabasis
260324   Marta Forsberg - Sjunger För...
260324   The New Boy - The New Boy( Th...
250324   The Stargazer’s Assistant - ...
250324   Liza Lim - Annunciation Trip...
Latest Articles

The Music of Clay Ruby & Burial H...
Over the last couple of decades Wisconsin native, Clay Ruby has been creating some of the world’s finest dark electronic music under the Burial Hex mon...
280324   The Music of Clay Ruby & Buri...
290224   Sutcliffe No More - Normal Ev...
100124   Occlusion - The Operation Is...
181223   Best Of 2023 - Music, Sound &...
051223   Powerhouse Films - Of Magic, ...
181023   IO - Of Sound, Of Art, Of Exp...
210923   Lucky Cerruti - Of Not so Fri...
290823   The Residents - The Trouble W...
110723   Yotzeret Sheydim Interview - ...
250523   TenHornedBeast - Into The Dee...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2023. Twenty two years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom