
Rudolf Eb.er & Roro Perrot - Blood Merde [Deathbed Tapes - 2022]Blood Merde is a short, but highly unsettling & at points nausea inducing example of sound art. The C6 cassette/lathe seven-inch brings together Australia’s unnerving sound scaper Rudolf Eb.er, and Roro Perrot France’s purveyor of demented shit folk. The release is put out by USA noise label Death Bed Tapes- it appears as both a cassette and vinyl lathe pressing- we were sent the former, which is due to be released in November. The shiny black tape is labelled on one side with a simple white text on a black label on one side- this is presented in a monochrome sleeve, which features a picture of some large human body growth. To pick up a copy drop by here. Each side of tape/ vinyl features a single just over three-minute track- which on paper does sound somewhat underwhelming/ disappointing. But trust me, as a quick and effective shot of woozy uneasy/ troubling sound art. I can’t really recall something quite so effective, which still retains its power to unnerve even after multiple plays. So first up we have “Blood Merde 1” the track opens with blend of constricting low-fi hiss, and a male voice speaking ranting gibberish. As it continues, we can make out a selection of unsettling low-key taps ‘n’ chops, and distant uneasy whines. Over this mix the voice becomes clearly more upset, moving towards being panicked and very distributed. Next & lastly we have “Blood Merde 2” here we find a reduced/ lo-fi mix of constant baying sound, layers of troubling/ building hiss, and unease-yet stark junk clangs and bangs. Over the top the same voice of the first track rants in a fairly rapid and upset manner. But as it continues it starts to emotional break at its edges, becoming more and more troubled/ unwell as it moves on. It’s certainly great to see these two collaborate- so if you just want an instant hit of unsettlement 'n' troubling derangement Blood Merde will fit like a slimy and rancid glove. I hope this isn’t the one and only collab these two do- as together they really do manage to create a rather distinct atmosphere.      Roger Batty
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