Merzbow - Hodosan FLAC album

Hodosan is as much of a digital noisefuck as it is a free drumming work out. It is the flavor of Merzbow as of late - the most recent Merzbow works have featured drumming almost unheard of since his 80's work. Perhaps his intent is to add some accessibility to his work, or, more likely, he simply wishes to put his drumming muscle in the limelight. Either way, this release has me coming back for more. On the first two tracks we get not only some delicious digi-hybrid arhythmic noise, but also we get to hear Akita trying to keep up with the noise in the form of free drumming, and with plenty of success. The third near twenty minute track begins with rhythmic noise pulse, and as soon as you are given a sense that the pulse is not going away, in comes Merzbow on the drums, this time with a rigid, probably 4/4 pattern. This patterned drum versus noise battle wages on for the entirety of the track. Though less studio-oriented than Merzbeat (the drums on Merzbeat are processed and looped, unlike Hodosan's seemingly continuous live drum playing), this album brings the release to mind in it's percussive orientation, as well as his free drumming of old. Though the accessibility may or may not actually be improved by the drumming, the release is sure to give longtime Merzbow fans a little something new to hear, as well as newcomers something to grab onto in terms of conventional sound. Hodosan has become one of my Merzbow favorites.