AVFN, Primordial Sea, stream & download

The 'Primordial Sea' release is now available for stream or download over at the AVFN bandcamp. Go get it.

By the way, I also put together some tapes of the this release for to sell at the live event last week (see preceding post). These were an edition of ten C120s with cover art by E Craig of Void Seance/Ritual Stance. They're all gone now, but I may make more if I get asked to play live again soon.

AVFN, Live in Glasgow, 24/03/12

I'll be playing a gig next Saturday, the 24th of March, at Nice N Sleazy in Glasgow. I'm the only HNW/Static Noise act that night, and probably the only one in Scotland, so I'm curious to see how this one goes down. To date, I've been completely disinterested in sharing the stage with any acts other than HN/HNW ones. But recently I've had a change of heart and I'm ready to step outside of my comfort zone. For a few years now I've been lamenting the lack of harsh acts in Glasgow, overwhelmed as I am by the glut of free-form and psychedelic rock and noise acts. Gone are the glory days of when At War and Kovorox would put on gigs every week catering for more extreme tastes, and we certainly don't see acts like Bloodyminded, Prurient, Gelsomina, Mutant Ape round our way anymore. But there's no point whinging; if I want to go to a harsh gig it looks like I'm going to have to be the one playing. Here's hoping some harsh heads materialise out of the aether. Shame my first gig in my second town isn't at my musical mecca, but Sleazy's is a good spot. Nice poster by Kenny Love, who's also putting on the show, but unfortunately not playing himself.

AVFN 'The Eternal Present' Review

'The Eternal Present' by A View From Nihil has been reviewed over at the Noise Admiration blog. For a while now, Sascha (the editor/author of Noise Admiration) has been establishing a new high-standard for HNW criticism by examining the style within the broader cultural context of music, art and philosophy. His reviews can be nothing less than the product love and inspiration, for he has clearly worked on them with as much determination, skill, and care as any of the music he has chosen to review, if not more so.

There's not a lot I can add to Sascha's observations and commentary, except to say that I more or less agree with them, and that, whilst I can imagine that his pointed condemnation of certain common practices amongst HNW artists will cause a certain amount of controversy amongst said artists, I have to say that I always consider it a good thing for someone to challenge mediocrity and meaningless creation. And I'm flattered that he has chosen an AVFN release as his spring-board to do so. Of course, Sascha's point is not exactly an original one, and the distinction made between those for whom HNW is an end in of itself, and those for whom such creation is merely a means to a much greater end, could be, and indeed has been, made equally for all forms of art. But what is most important here is that someone has finally started to unpack HNW using the tools of wider artistic criticism. This is surely the only way forward.

Remember: NO ENTERTAINMENT!

Void Sacrifice: HNW Zine

Sublime DIY noise label, Void Seance, has just published the first issue of its Void Sacrifice zine. Much like their other releases, this zine is beautiful to behold and its contents are of the highest relevance to harsh noise wall fans. Limited to one hundred copies, so grab it here.

Issue one of the long awaited VOID SACRIFICE sublet of Void Seance. Interviews with White Gimp Mask, Waterpower Electronics, Richard Ramirez. Gear discussion with The Rita and Vomir. 14 pages, b/w. Hand numbered, limited to 100 copies. Printed on Mohawk Britehue 60lb Gold Velum Text Weight.

AVFN, 'Primordial Sea', Live 14/11/11

I've made the first and only AVFN live presentation available for stream or download over at my bandcamp. The material is essentially a telescoped version of the new CDR out on Void Seance, entitled 'Primordial Sea'. It's an audience recording by KT/Skönhet - bootleg quality, but good enough for a listen.

AVFN - Primordial Sea, out now on Void Seance

A brand new full-length concept piece from A View From Nihil, entitled 'Primordial Sea', is available now from Void Seance. Evan (of Void Seance/Ritual Stance), who is a true artist and genuine professional, worked hard to make this the best looking and most complete AVFN release yet. Certainly the most satisfied I've been with a release since 'Triumph...'. Anyway, this is an edition of thirty copies only, of which the vast majority have already gone. So, if you'd like one, act fast.

AVFN, 'The Eternal Present', Review

A View From Nihil, 'The Eternal Present' CDr, released on Sweet Solitude, as part of their Infinity Series, has been reviewed over at Musique Machine. Please have a look. The release is OOP but you can still download or stream it for free over at the AVFN bandcamp page. I'm thinking I might like to reissue it, someday.