Ohrenschmerz -- OHZ selected works, Self Released 1999, Germany

Track Listing

1. Fehlfunktion [Wider der norm 1998]
2. Intro [Wider der norm 1998]
3. Tinitus [OHZ 1999]
4. Tote Liebe [OHZ 1999]
5. Traum II [OHZ 1999]
6. Deutscher Hass (SV) [-K:W- ltd. 1999]
7. -?- [-K:W- ltd. 1999]

    This release was sent to us as an example of Ohrenschmerz's [OHZ] selected works from the past. Based in experimental power noise, LV21 creates soundscapes of pulsating buzzing and rhythmic pounding punctuated with inserts of sampled German discourse on the first two tracks ["Fehlfunktion", "Intro"], taken from the Wider Der Norm works. These two tracks alone would prompt me to purchase the release. They are intense, well constructed, viscious and unrelenting.
    The next track, "Tinitus", is beat heavy noise that beings slow and gains momentum with rhythm and timbre as the piece progresses. Void of all vocals and sampling, "Tinitus" is yet another intense and well rounded piece of power noise yet with a good [militant] dance beat (if you are so inclined to dance or bop to power noise percussion). "Tote Liebe" begins with a German voice sample then moves directly into a rhythmic [grinding and sawing] collage of beats and noise effects.
    At the beginning, "Traum II" is more harsh than the first four tracks with abrasive hydraulic inserts, then evolving with a harmonic bassline, a simple yet scratchy keyboard melody and nearly inaudible vocals treated to sound like the devil himself were speaking. "Deutscher Hass" has a noisy rhythm with a power bassline, with very harsh metallic sounding effects (possibly vocal treatments as well but it's difficult to decipher where these sounds are coming from, ie. human, machine or both). The last track, -?- is found on the Konzeption:Wahnvorstellung release [which as mastered by Rudy R at His Majestys Studio]. Likewise, "-?-" combines deep power bass lines tinged with noise that changes in tempo every minute or so.
    I'd say that if you haven't heard power noise before, Ohrenschmerz would be an excellent place to start. If you are a fan of this type of music/sound and haven't heard OHZ yet, wait no longer. This and all releases by Ohrenschmerz are highly recommended by Last Sigh Magazine.

Read our interview with LV21
Read our review of Konzeption