NURSE WITH WOUND Schallplatten & CDs

Review: This expansive 2CD collection from Nurse With Wound compiles a range of experimental works from 2008-2011, offering a glimpse into their cut-and-paste sonic universe. Opening with the jarring 'Cruisin' For A Bruisin'', the set quickly plunges into a diverse array of sound, blending drones, rhythms and odd vocal samples. The first disc is split into 'The Bacteria Magnet' and 'Rushkoff Coercion', while the second features 'Erroneous, A Selection of Errors,' likely showcasing unreleased material. The music constantly shifts, moving from chaotic big band absurdity to African-inspired polyrhythms, cold techno and smoky ambient passagesiall within moments. Though the collection lacks a unifying theme, its disorienting patchwork of textures offers plenty of intriguing moments. As with any NWW release, it's difficult to categorise, but it's a skilful, unpredictable exploration of sound that keeps listeners engaged despite its ever-changing nature.

Review: Confusingly, two staggering out-there experimental albums arrived in 1992 bearing the same title: Thunder Perfect Mind. One came from Current 93, a group led by David Tibet featuring Nurse With Wound founder Steven Stapleton. The second was the latter's own experimental musical meditation on the same musical theme - a follow-up to the classic Soliloquy For Lilith that was, if anything, even darker, weirder and more intense than Current 93's paganistic LP. This expanded reissue presents a remastered version of the original two-track set on disc one - complete with musical contributions by Colin Potter and David Tibet - and a wealth of rare, unreleased and recently unearthed contemporaneous material on CD2. It's the ultimate version of an inspiringly out-there set.

Review: In 2003, the kind of profound minimalism Colin Potter and Steven Stapleton presented on Salt Marie Celeste came with a disclaimer for those who preferred the maximalist side of Nurse With Wound. In these ambient abundant times, it feels like everyone's ready for the deep listen and attendant calm an album such as this demands. Revolving around two low, tumultuous chords undulating like waves and the barest of flotsam and jetsam on top, this is an intense hour exploring the haunting power of repetition and sparseness. It's also incredible, but then there's no surprise there, given the stature of the Nurse With Wound canon. If you were already a believer, then herald the bonus disc of additional droning magnificence and the gorgeous new artwork from Babs Santini.