Merzbow (stage name of the Japanese Masami Akita) and Alessandro Cortini (former member of Nine Inch Nails) are joining forces for a new collaborative album. Merzbrow of Nine Inch Nails fame and Cortini are am unlikely paring that came about over their mutual enthusiasm for all things synth related. Titled Alessandro Cortini and Merzbow, the record will arrive on April 21 via Important Records.

Cortini has become one of the most respected names in the field of electronic experimentation and use of modular synths. Following his departure from Nine Inch Nails, Cortini has had several solo projects and including a recent stop in Italy to present “NEXT”, a show “dedicated to the relationship between music and memory”. Cortini also released a full-length solo LP back in 2015 titled Risveglio.

Merzbow has already released and extensive amount of work this year even though we are only in the third month! Aodron, Wildwood II and Gomata have all been released by Akita. Past collaborations he has done have included projects alongside the likes of Sun Ra, Boris and Xiu Xiu, plus Flying Basket with Akira Sakata, Jim O’Rourke and Chikamorachi, as well as Cuts of Guilt, Cuts Deeper with Balázs Pándi, Mats Gustafsson and Thurston Moore.

Alessandro Cortini and Merzbow 2xLP cover.

Cortini and Merzbow are said to have bonded over their shared love of the EMS Synthi (an early ’70s synthesizer from the UK that is noted for its patch pin matrix, distinctive tone, and portability). he self-titled 2xLP sees the duo focusing their sound around an EMS synth “giving this classic synth a modern workout.”