Mai 12 & Dosis Letalis - Untergrundarbeiten
It has been some time since I have heard something new from one of my favorite HNW acts, namely Dosis Letalis. Actually, Dosis Letalis was reviewed on this blog way back in 2016! Dosis Letalis (and Anonymous Masturbaudioum) were the first two acts that introduced me to the textured sound world of HNW (Harsh noise wall). This one is a split with a Greek-based HNW act called Mai 12, which is also highly productive (Check Discogs link below). The guys behind Mai 12 are Karl Grümpe and Rene P.Q, two lads heavily involved in the Greek music underground. Being noise artists, and running some labels, be sure to check the Discogs link below people!
Anyways, this cassette (Limited to 50 copies) has been released by Grubenwehr Freiburg. You get a nice-looking woodsy-black cassette with some cool print on both sides, and some artwork showcasing hardworking miners from the days of old. Turns out that these poor devils are Greek immigrants working in Belgium mines, and the release itself is inspired by a short movie called Letter From Charleroi (Same name for the track by Mai 12). The letter is sent by a worker to his mother back in Greece, probably a letter about him missing his homeland and describing the harsh conditions (as a coal miner) in a strange and completely foreign land. The other tracks (On the B-side) by Dosis Letalis, have their focus and inspiration from the pictures themselves. Here Dosis Letalis uses intentional malfunctions and abrupt interruptions of the constant sound. In other words, we are getting more deep than underground here!
The first track by Mai 12 - Letter From Charleroi, actually sounds like a huge drill...moving earth. I do know that (back then) everything was moved by hand and pickaxes. The combination of the drilling sound, and claustrophobic bass walls clearly describes (mentally) the oppressive and torturous feeling of spending (and working) your entire day as a coal miner. The air and scent are different, and offcourse the longing for the sun-light! It´s a harsh atmospheric treat, which pumps and crawls slowly through the listener's ears. Not constant HNW from the start and to the end, but take notice of the atmospheric ambient sounds in the background as well. There are also some high squealing sounds that make me think of bats offcourse. Also, traces of heavily distorted vocals are being used here as well. The whole thing starts sort of gentle and gets more and more oppressive and claustrophobic in the process. Typically describes the day as a coal miner. Kind of interesting how Mai 12 manages to create a claustrophobic feeling with an atmospheric sound.
We flip the cassette and continue on the B-side with Dosis Letalis. While Mai 12 focused on a heavy and spacious sound, Dosis Letalis has more of a microscopic, minimal, and isolated sound approach. The first track is called Perfect Conditions. Contains incredible crunchy chopped-up distorted bass sounds, kind of get back to that drill. When it can drill, It will drill. Occasionally when it hits hard-rock, it will slow down a bit. Getting totally entranced here, these sounds go straight into the head. Not a negative comment really, because I do like what I hear!
The second track is called Bunches, which immediately takes me back to Boyd Rice & Frank Gadgets Easy Listening For The Heard of Hearing. How a chopped-up machine noise can actually become a rhythm! I can almost hear the rubble of the mine crumple here, a very tight drill is at work here. Dentist drill being recorded maybe?
The third (and last) track by Dosis Letalis is called Rupturing Erythrocytes (Red blood cells), does actually sound like something... blowing up. Small and constant explosions of small fire-crackers, or the sound of fabric getting ripped to shreds... inch by inch. Glittering sounds of distorted bacon on a frying pan, with a murky-sounding bass sound delivering some extra element to the track.
While this is an excellent HNW album, the end of it also gives me the impression of getting out of the coal mine after a long day's work. My ears are actually banging, and my mind and eyes feel... quite heavy and overloaded. Quite the edgy thing here, the sound and feel really get to you.. which (I believe) is the intention. After the album had ended, you can still hear and feel the aftermath of it. Hell, I even think that it could (and will) haunt me in my sleep. Well, here you are ladies and gentlemen... the latest thing in HNW. Subterranean noise wall, bound to bring you down... totally down! The ultimate HNW experience of 2022!
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