'Between 1999 and 2000, Merzbow entered a new artistic phase, embracing digital production and refining his sonic language. He moved away from the tape collages and improvised circuitry of his earlier years. In their place arose monumental sound structures, dense and meticulously sculpted. Harsh noise, tribal rhythms, and corrosive textures merged into a single, overwhelming sonic body.
Yoshinotsune emerged during this especially fertile period and stands as one of Masami Akita’s most evocative works. The album weaves together historical, mythological, and personal references, drawing inspiration from the figure of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. From the outset, bird calls, radio interference, and electronic signals create an enigmatic atmosphere. The result is an unsettling soundscape suspended between nature and technology.
Throughout the album, the sound continually transforms, alternating between ominous beats, unearthly moans, and ritualistic pulses. These elements evoke tribal rhythms filtered through circuitry and digital distortion. The music drives forward with relentless force while maintaining a constant tension between motion and stillness. Rather than simply overwhelming, it invites the listener to become immersed in its intricate details.
What makes Yoshinotsune so compelling is its perfect balance between technical precision and creative instinct. Though meticulously constructed, its structures retain a raw and immediate vitality. Akita’s hand can always be felt, shaping the sound with intensity and sensitivity. This reissue fully restores the grandeur of one of Merzbow’s richest and most immersive recordings of mid 2000.'
A1 Ushiwaka Kurama Iri - part1 25:32
B1 Ushiwaka Kurama Iri - part1 11:43
B2 Hiyodori Goe 9:57
C1 Hachiman Taro No Uta 15:39
D1 Yoshino No Yamazakura 9:10
D2 Mantra Metamo
Computer, Acoustic Guitar – MA
Mastered By – Lasse Marhaug
Music By, Artwork [Artworks By] – Masami Akita
2LP black vinyl reissue by Urashima with two unreleased tracks. Limited to 199 copies worldwide.
Recorded & Mixed at Bedroom and Dinning Room Aug/Sep 2003.
