Tuesday Tunes

PHOTO COURESY: Wikimedia

Here is your entrance into industrial music

Industrial music is associated with large metal goggles and Marylin Manson side projects, but there are a lot of aspects of this genre that elude people. Specifically, the fact that the genera is most associated with the ’90s, but was actually born out of the Avant Guard 70’s according to discoverymusic.com.

The band, Throbbing Gristle, is seen as the first industrial band. Their antics in the late ’60s grew their infamy in British culture. The most famous quote from this band, which I took from a Rolling Stones article, is “And we thought, why learn any chords? We wanted to make music like Ford made cars on the industrial belt. Industrial music for industrial people.”

From the beginning, the group was marked by new and inventive synth tactics and a one-of-a-kind sound that bordered on noise music with a pulse. I want to invite everyone reading to look up their back story though. You will not be disappointed by just how “eclectic” the band members were.

One. “Slug pt. 1. 2. And 3,” Throbbing Gristle: This is not for everyone. Basically, if you like Pink Floyd intros and scary movies you might be able to make this a new favorite. I am at a loss for what to say about this sound. Being well acquainted with Avant Guard and noise music, I can tell you the reasons people enjoy music like this.

Pushing sonic boundaries for those in the music scene has always meant faster, better and stronger in terms of sonic quality, but this type of music flips that on its head. Instead, these musicians are determined to show music’s unexplored potential lies in organic soundscapes and stark minimalistic structure, meaning there is no need for the comforts of home when it comes to exploration.

Two. “Even Deeper,” Nine Inch Nails: Apparently there is a debate online over whether NIN qualifies as industrial because it strays away from the “why learn chords?” mentality in the ’70s. I won’t give my impute because my qualifications would be zero. I do enjoy the music though. I’m backed up by the majority when I say this: Nine Inch Nails is probably the only industrial band 1 in 20 passers-by on the street could name. 

“Even Deeper” is a track of the bands 1999 release “Fragile.” The whole album is worth listening to if you are at all into out-of-the-ordinary music. The song is a great introduction because it feels familiar, like the grunge coming out at the time, but introduces the dissonance of industrial music as well

Three. “Subliminal Chromophorm Violation,” Khost: This is where you really might need headphones. As you might expect, the world of industrial music has gone back to its roots recapturing the same attitude that drove the Avant Guard movement.

This song is static-y, dark and seemingly free-flowing, everything a purest in a leather jacket would need. I love the atmosphere of deep unsettling fear that lies beneath the music. I will link to the band camp that exposed me to such darkness.

https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/new-industrial-bands-bandcamp

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