Lowest Music & Arts 1980–1983 is a box set compilation by the Japanese noise musician Merzbow, it is composed of recordings from the earliest years of Merzbow. It is released on ten LPs. Some material was partially included in the Merzbox.[1][2]
Track listing
Hyper Music 2
Previously unreleased recording in the style of Metal Acoustic Music.
1. |
"Hyper Music Part 1" |
26:28 |
1. |
"Hyper Music Part 2" |
27:16 |
- Notes
Metal Acoustic Music
This is side B of the original cassette, side A was included in the Merzbox.
1. |
"Balance of Neurosis Pt. 2" |
22:49 |
1. |
"Balance of Neurosis Pt. 2 Continued" |
21:45 |
- Notes
- Recorded and mixed in 1980
- Originally released as C90 cassette on Merzbow Lowest Music & Arts in 1981
Merz Collection 007
Part of the ten volume Collection series. Includes previous studio and live sessions plus raw material.
1. |
"Merz Collection I" |
11:18 |
2. |
"Merz Collection II" |
1:57 |
3. |
"Merz Collection III" |
8:27 |
Total length:
|
21:42 |
1. |
"Merz Collection IV" |
15:47 |
2. |
"Merz Collection V" |
5:55 |
Total length:
|
21:42 |
- Notes
- Recorded at various locations between 1980–1981, mixed in 1981 at Merzbau, Machida studio
- Originally released as C46 cassette on Merzbow Lowest Music & Arts in 1981
- Partially included in the Merzbox
Tridal Production
Includes previous studio and live sessions plus raw material.
1. |
"Tridal Production I" |
6:58 |
2. |
"Tridal Production II" |
3:08 |
3. |
"Tridal Production III" |
7:49 |
Total length:
|
17:55 |
1. |
"Tridal Production IV" |
22:38 |
- Notes
- Recorded and mixed at various locations between 1981–1982, mixed on 13 January 1982
- Originally released as cassette on Merzbow Lowest Music & Arts in 1982
- Re-released in 1989 on ZSF Produkt
- Partially included in the Merzbox
Mechanization Takes Command 1
Original cassette spread across two LPs.
1. |
"Mechanization Takes Command Part I" |
14:16 |
2. |
"Mechanization Takes Command Part II" |
5:55 |
Total length:
|
20:11 |
1. |
"Mechanization Takes Command Part III" |
11:03 |
2. |
"Mechanization Takes Command Part IV" |
10:54 |
Total length:
|
21:57 |
- Notes
- Recorded at home between 1981–1982, mixed in 1983
- Originally released as C90 cassette on ZSF Produkt
- Re-released in 1989 on ZSF Produkt
- Partially included in the Merzbox
Mechanization Takes Command 2
1. |
"Mechanization Takes Command Part V" |
5:44 |
2. |
"Mechanization Takes Command Part VI" |
3:16 |
3. |
"Mechanization Takes Command Part VII" |
14:13 |
Total length:
|
23:13 |
1. |
"Mechanization Takes Command Part VIII" |
10:14 |
2. |
"Mechanization Takes Command Part IX" |
12:05 |
Total length:
|
22:19 |
Solonoise Vol. 1
The title is taken from Georges Bataille's book The Solar Anus.
1. |
"Solonoise Part I" |
23:55 |
1. |
"Solonoise Part II" |
23:42 |
- Notes
- Recorded and mixed at various locations between 1981–1982, mixed on 13 January 1982
- Originally released as cassette on Merzbow Lowest Music & Arts in 1982
- Included in the Merzbox
Solonoise Vol. 2
1. |
"Solonoise Part I" |
22:17 |
1. |
"Solonoise Part II" |
22:37 |
- Notes
- Recorded and mixed at various locations between 1981–1982, mixed on 13 January 1982
- Originally released as cassette on Merzbow Lowest Music & Arts in 1982
- Partially included in the Merzbox
Yahatahachiman
Yahatahachiman and Escape Mask are two tapes featuring atonal guitar and drum machine rhythms. Masami Akita didn't like them for the past thirty years since they had too much "guitar rock appeal".[2]
1. |
"Yahatahachiman Part I" |
12:42 |
2. |
"Yahatahachiman Part II" |
4:54 |
3. |
"Yahatahachiman Part III" |
9:59 |
Total length:
|
27:35 |
1. |
"Yahatahachiman Part IV" |
24:45 |
2. |
"Yahatahachiman Part V" |
5:23 |
Total length:
|
30:08 |
- Notes
- Recorded and mixed at ZSF Produkt in December 1983
- Originally released as C60 cassette on ZSF Produkt in 1983
Escape Mask
1. |
"Escape Mask Part I" |
6:37 |
2. |
"Escape Mask Part II" |
9:36 |
3. |
"Escape Mask Part III" |
13:18 |
Total length:
|
29:31 |
1. |
"Escape Mask Part IV" |
15:32 |
2. |
"Escape Mask Part V" |
8:07 |
Total length:
|
23:39 |
- Notes
- Recorded and mixed at ZSF Produkt in 1983
- Originally released as C60 cassette on ZSF Produkt
Fuckexercise
Note: 7" only available in the members and friends editions
From Merzbow's first release, only few copies were distributed in 1980. While some tracks later appeared on tapes like Tridal Production and the Collection series, these tracks have never been reissued.
1. |
"Fuckexercise (Cont.)" |
7:51 |
- Notes
- Recorded and mixed at home
- Originally released as part of C60 cassette in 1980
Lowest Music Vol. 1
Note: cassette only available in the friends edition
1. |
"Lowest Music – Part 1–6" |
|
1. |
"Lowest Music – Part 7–14" |
|
- Notes
- Originally released as cassette on Merzbow Lowest Music & Arts, 1982
- Recorded and mixed at home 1982
Personnel
- Masami Akita – composer, performer, artwork
- Kiyoshi Mizutani – plays various instruments on source live materials on Merz Collection 007 and Tridal Production; violin and electric piano on "Solonoise Part I" on Solonoise Vol. 1
Notes
- Digitally re-mastered from original cassettes on July 2012 at Munemihouse, Tokyo
Release history
All editions include ten LPs, a booklet of artwork, and hand-numbered certificate. All packaged in a black varnished, silkscreened wooden box. The members edition is for those who subscribed to the label, it includes a bonus 7" record with tracks from the first Merzbow tape and a T-shirt. The friends edition includes the 7", a long sleeve T-shirt, and a bonus cassette. Plus all of the records are pressed on red vinyl.
Region |
Date |
Label |
Format |
Quantity |
Catalog |
Sold Out |
Germany |
2012 |
Vinyl On Demand |
LP (standard edition) |
500 |
VOD108 |
No |
LP (members edition) |
unknown |
VOD108 |
Yes |
LP (friends edition) |
99 |
VOD108 |
n/a |
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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1980–1989 (selected discography)
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Studio albums |
1981 |
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1982 |
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1983 |
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1984 |
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1985 |
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1986 |
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1987 |
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1988 |
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1989 |
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Live albums |
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Box sets |
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Collaborations |
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1990–1999
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Studio albums |
1990 |
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1991 |
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1992 |
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1993 |
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1994 |
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1995 |
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1996 |
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1997 |
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1998 |
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1999 |
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Extended plays |
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Live albums |
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Video albums |
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Box sets |
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Remix albums |
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Compilation albums |
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Collaborations |
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2000–2009
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Studio albums |
2000 |
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2001 |
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2002 |
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2003 |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2009 |
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Extended plays |
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Live albums |
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Video albums |
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Box sets |
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Remix albums |
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Collaborations |
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2010–present
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Studio albums |
2010 |
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2011 |
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2012 |
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2013 |
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2014 |
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2015 |
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Extended plays |
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Live albums |
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Compilation albums |
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Box sets |
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Collaborations |
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