Album Review: Merzbow – Sedonis

Merzbow brings an auditory universe of harsh noise to Sedonis.

The upcoming full-length album for the noise project Merzbow, Sedonis marks yet another groundbreaking milestone in harsh noise music. This composition showcases an avant-garde expression of musical surrealism that powerfully transports the listener into a world of unrelenting sonic extremity and raw, unfiltered chaos.

Sedonis continues a vast discography of full-length albums, most recently The Prosperity of Vice, The Misfortune of Virtue, which followed a compelling build-up of sound that evolved from eerie stillness to brutal noise. In contrast, Sedonis begins boldly in the deep end of harsh noise with “Sedonis A.” From there, each track carves a path of an immersive journey through harsh, industrial soundscapes. Nearing the end of the album with “Monolith 4,” the elements of abrasive feedback heard throughout the album are brought to a quell, giving contrast to the series. However, in the end, static chaos ensues the album on an abrupt conclusion. Masami Akita’s approach to harsh noise sound is a distinctive and visionary one, which has made him both a catalyst and beacon in the genre. The simultaneously ominous and beautiful nature of his compositions creates an adrenaline rush like no other, captivating listeners with its intense emotional depth. Merzbow employs feedback, distortion, industrial and electronic sounds combined masterfully to create his harsh noise sound.

As a pioneer in the world of harsh noise music, Akita engineers sound with methodical precision and artistic intention that propels the world of experimental music forward towards its core meaning – creating art that challenges norms and inspires radical individuality and self-expression. To dedicate oneself to composing a work of art that is not easily consumable by the majority shows Akita’s passion for the craft.

Sedonis allows for deep personal interpretation and emotional engagement, similar to many of his previous works. This new addition to Merzbow is more than just a collection of industrial sound – it is an auditory universe that challenges the listener to open oneself to explore the depths of their own mind.