Noise Receptor Journal: Archive Volume One brings together the first three issues of the respected and classy produced Post-industrial Zine Noise Receptor Journal. The publication covers, in a thorough & intelligent way, the sub-genres of dark ambient, death industrial, heavy electronics, power electronics, etc. The nearing 300 page A5 sized book comes in the form of a special & ltd hardback edition (which I’m reviewing), and standard Paperback- with each edition featuring bonus unpublished material, and new write-ups/ overviews.

The origins of publication go back to late 2012, when Melbourne based Richard Stevenson set-up the on-line post-industrial blog Noise Receptor. Steveson wasn’t new to writing about the wider post-industrial scene, as between the years 1998 and 2001 he published one of the great underground zines Spectrum- this only ran for just five issues, but managed to become one of the most important & respected publications in the wider scene- with Headpress, the publishers of this book releasing Spectrum Compendium last year- which compiled together all five issues of this the zine, as well as additional unpublished materials.

By early 2013 Stevenson decided he wanted to go back to the printed form - so in April of the year he published the first issue of Noise Receptor Journal, which would run alongside the blog. The publication focus on been more streamlined towards music & art. This first issue ran for fifty-six pages, with the main of the page count been taken up with an in-depth interview with Swedish Trepaneringsritualen project- aka Thomas Ekelund, who creates an often ritual focused blend of industrial, power electronics and industrial noise. Around the interview there were grim industrial/ religious/ ritual themed artwork created by Ekelund, and twenty-nine pages of in-depth reviews from the wider post-industrial scene- this new publication was most popular, with it getting three re-prints with a total 500 copies printed- which is most impressive for a underground zine. To date, there has been eight issues of the journal published with the last been April 2020- with later issues featuring more than one interview, but once again the focus is on making the interviews as in-depth & thorough as possible. Surrounding these once again where  a blend of artwork- created by interview subjects or Stevenson himself, along of course with detailed reviews.

Over three issues featured here in this book- there are twelve interviews, along with four bonus interviews including one with Stevenson regarding the Spectrum zine- as well as these we, of course, get the reviews & artwork- so a good selection of stuff to dig into, whatever your interest with-in the wider post-industrial scene. The interview subjects go from Finnish ritual ambient collective Halo Manash, onto Denmark based Experimental noise/ drone project Puce Mary. Through to the seared Power electronics of Italy’s Wertham, and the noise bound & industrial sounds of  Swedish Kristian Olsson- with each of these interview running between three to six pages a piece.

The hardback edition we're reviewing is rather nice- and really I'd say the better edition, as it's of course it been a hardback it's more hardwearing. The edition features the publishers dull finished case- which takes in the grim & neat  collage artwork. This edition is only available direct from Headpress, and price wise it's only a few pounds more, compared with the paperback version

Whether you’re a long-time follower of the post-industrial scene, or new to the wider genre I’d say Noise Receptor Journal: Archive Volume One is a must-buy item- as both the interviews & reviews are both most informative and well-written. To buy a copy of the book direct- head here to Headpress.