Merzbow's latest masterpiece, Cuts Open, is a sonic behemoth that defies conventions and pushes the boundaries of experimental music. Released on 25 September 2020 via RareNoiseRecords, this hour-and-25-minute odyssey is a testament to the Japanese noise legend's unwavering dedication to innovation.
Throughout the album's four tracks - 'I Went Down to Brother', 'And We Went Home', 'We Went up with Mother', and 'He Locked the Door' - Merzbow seamlessly blends elements of drone, noise rock, free jazz, dark ambient, industrial, and avant-garde music, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is both challenging and rewarding.
Cuts Open is a deeply immersive experience, with Merzbow's signature sonic experimentation and textural manipulation conjuring up a world of eerie landscapes and disorienting atmospheres. As the album unfolds, the listener is drawn into a maelstrom of distorted frequencies, haunting melodies, and rhythmic convulsions, all expertly crafted to disrupt and subvert expectations.
With Cuts Open, Merzbow cements his reputation as a visionary and a true original, an artist who continues to push the limits of what is possible in the realm of experimental music. This album is a must-listen for fans of challenging, cutting-edge sound art and a testament to Merzbow's enduring influence on the global underground music scene.