Nocturnal Emissions - Viral Shedding
Here's my only record from Nigel Ayer's complex, highly productive and at times disturbing Nocturnal Emissions project. I am pretty sure this was their only output to be released on one of my favourite labels, Illuminated Records.
Viral Shedding is a twisted mix of post-industrial slurdge and rhythm, Burroughs-like samples and loops, with plenty of NY techno-disco beats thrown in for good measure. It may sound messy but it does work. The tracks blend together and each side of the record gives the appearance of one continuous piece - track splitting was a challenge. Most will know No Separation as it has featured as a remix on a variety of compilations, but other tracks such as Body Count and the dark Suffering Stinks are better.
The most obvious thing that new listeners will notice is the unusual way in which the album has been mixed. It is very quiet and muffled in places - I can only compare it to sounding as if the guy in the flat downstairs is having a wild party. Illuminated were never the best pressings so surface noise will be evident. I noticed that subsequent CD reissues (whether legit or otherwise) have been over-compressed to the point of painful listening. I have kept the levels under control whilst transferring from my original 1983 vinyl pressing without any compression.
Ripped from a vinyl LP released on Illuminated Records (JAMS 33) in 1983 to high quality lossless flac audio.
A1. Delgado Monkey Torture A2. Too Many Wounded
A3. Body Count
A4. Wee Wee Wee
A5. Suffering Stinks
A6. No Separation
B1. No Magic
B2. Going Under
B3. Suffering Still Stinks
B4. Haldol Shuffle
B5. Theme Music
B6. Bloodbath
