MERZBOW 'Mercurated' Double LP (Italy, Urashima, Catalogue #UMA 188) Brand new/unplayed copy of limited year 2024 Urashima label first-time vinyl edition (presented here as a Double LP edition) of seminal 1996 Alchemy Records label release (originally issued as CD-only release) of Merzbow album entitled Mercurated. First time, very limited vinyl edition of this top-flight Merzbow album.
(NOTE: ALL RECORDS ARE PACKED AND SHIPPED IN PROFESSIONAL, SUPERIOR QUALITY RECTANGULAR SHAPED, CORNER PROTECTING CORRUGATED CARDBOARD RECORD MAILERS WITH FILLER PADS. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!)

(NOTE: BRAND NEW/NON-FACTORY SEALED ITEM!)

(NOTE: LIMITED VINYL EDITION OF 299 COPIES ONLY!)

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We are excited to announce the eagerly awaited reissue of Merzbow's seminal album Mercurated on double vinyl, originally released on CD in 1996 by Alchemy Records. This milestone in the noise genre captures the essence of Masami Akita's innovative approach to sound, an exploration of the boundaries of auditory experience that continues to resonate with artists and listeners alike. The new vinyl edition features a remaster by James Plotkin, whose expertise breathes new life into the album, revealing the intricate layers hidden within Merzbow's amazing work.

In this reimagined format, the album presents Electricwatersheep divided into two distinct sections: A1, which encompasses the entire A side of the vinyl, and B1, which opens the B side. This piece is a hallmark of Merzbow’s chaotic yet meticulously crafted style, showcasing his prowess in noise electronics through an electrifying mix of metal performances and a diverse array of filters. Each section invites the listener to plunge deeper into a sonic terrain where silence is shattered, creating an immersive auditory journey that is as unpredictable as it is captivating.

Side B continues with Semisolid Mass 1-3, a brand new bonus track exclusive to this vinyl release. This addition serves to deepen the listener's experience, expanding upon the album’s already rich sonic palette with a uniquely disorienting atmosphere that is characteristic of Merzbow's artistic vision. 

On Side C, Tree of Kusukusu envelops the listener in a phantasmagoric soundscape crafted from bowed metals and the eerie tones of the Ems Synthi'a', all accentuated by meticulous filtering techniques. This track exemplifies Merzbow's ability to fuse organic textures with electronic manipulation, creating an evocative tapestry of sound that challenges conventional musical boundaries.

The D side concludes the journey with Surfactant, presenting another quintessential Merzbow composition. Here, the interplay of metal and electronic noise converges, showcasing Akita's artistic finesse and his relentless quest to explore sound as a medium of both chaos and beauty. Each track on Mercurated stands on its own, providing a coherent yet varied listening experience that invites repeat contemplation.

This stunning double vinyl reissue in a astonishing gatefold cover mirrors the original artwork, beautifully designed by Masami Akita himself, ensuring that the visual component is as striking as the auditory experience. The design work by Masahiko Ohno further enhances the presentation, making this release not just a collection of sounds but a holistic sensory experience. 
Merzbow’s Mercurated on double vinyl is more than just a reissue; it stands as a celebration of avant-garde noise art that beckons both longtime fans and new listeners to engage with the relentless creativity of one of Japan's most influential sound artists. With the expertise of James Plotkin in mastering, this vinyl edition promises to deliver the album’s complex soundscapes with unparalleled fidelity, honoring the original legacy while unfurling new layers of depth for exploration. Dive into this extraordinary musical journey and experience the profound world of Merzbow anew.

"This may be one of his most underrated albums, full stop, because it's one of the most accomplished works in the entire Merzbow discography. It shares a relationship with the albums Oersted and Hybrid Noisebloom, as it was recorded around the same time as those albums. But what makes this better than those albums for me is not just that the textures are amazing, but the timbres that punctuate them really go above and beyond and cause this to be one of the most satisfying listening experiences in his discography. Case in point, the first track, Electricwatersheep, whose first ten minutes would get a perfect rating if it were standalone, and whose opening loop is so beautifully satisfying to listen to that it becomes spiritually cleansing. It's one of the best ways Merzbow has ever opened an album, and everything after this point does not deviate very far from the extremely high bar that the first ten minutes of this track sets. Maybe there are a couple spots where it gets a little directionless, but that's where my gripes with this album end, even if it's enough to prevent it from getting a perfect rating from me. Even in spite of this, the textures are so well assembled that they really manage to hold my attention for the vast majority of its length. Tracks like Tree of Kusukusu keep finding new and inventive ways to stay cathartic over their run times, while still maintaining a base level of loudness throughout. These tracks are busy, too, with multiple different passages of noise collapsing on top of each other at once, and different elements being introduced every few moments to keep things exciting. Only the song Surfactant manages to be a bit quieter than the others, and by then, it's a very welcome change of pace. This isn't the harshest album in his discography, but it's certainly up there, and it takes these harsh, incredibly loud extremes that it grasps and uses it to create a maximally cathartic soundscape that's continually interesting to look inside. When it comes to analog era Merzbow, this manages to sit on top of nearly everything else he's done in that period, not just due to the quality of the textures themselves but the quality of the sound design on display in this release. Whenever I listen to this album, it lights my brain on fire, which is probably the highest praise you can give a harsh noise album. Needless to say, I highly recommend it.Rating: 9/10 - Review by Electricwatersheep.

Tracks on this Double LP are as follows:

A1Electricwatersheep Part 116:26
B1Electricwatersheep Part 210:12
B2Semisolid Mass 1-310:25
C1Tree Of Kusukusu17:40
D1Surfactant19:08

Shipping rates to the following locations at this present time (note: all shipping rates are subject to change.)

Shipping in US (including ALASKA & HAWAII), PUERTO RICO (MEDIA MAIL) is $6.98.

Shipping to CANADA (AIRMAIL) is $21.98.

Shipping to MEXICO (AIRMAIL) is $25.98.

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Shipping totals will be consolidated for multiple orders/winning bids.

Record shipped in professional, superior rectangular shaped, corner-protecting corrugated cardboard record mailer with filler pads. Satisfaction guaranteed!

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