Merzbow Vs Nordvargr - Partikel II [Cold Spring Records - 2007]This second collaboration between Merzbow & Nordvargr finds the pair once more mining the more rhythmic and ambient based facets of each others sounds. The material never really going fully noise bound, it always has traditional rhythmic or musically or ambient washes to keep it in check. Which is a pity if you’re looking for a more traditional Merzbow releashers, but like most of his collaborations it has it's rewarding moments. Much like the first part and some of his other collaborative work it finds each party reworking each others source material, to come up with four very densely rhythmic constructions, with layers of noise craft and shifting dread burn and swirling along with it. There’s some rather neat cinematic touches and drones adding in too, With tow tracks around the twenty minute mark and two around the ten minute mark. I’ll have to say I’ve never been as keen on Merzbow more traditional beat based material, but there’s enough going on here both textural and structurally to make it interesting playing, neatly slotting in with his more successfull and involving beat work. With of course added sound flavour from the excellent Nordvargr, who adds in chilling dark ambient drift scapes, almost normal/ approachable bassy beat work and a more industrial/electroncia edge. All in all an acceptable enough first of the year offering from Merzbow, that’s not a ‘must have’ item. But worth picking up if you like his beat work or enjoy his work that moves more towards traditional musically endeavours.    Roger Batty
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