Merzbow - Merzbeat [Wax Mage]

A rhythmic riot of noise, jazz, and industrial bliss—reborn in color.

For the uninitiated, Masami Akita (Merzbow) is the undisputed architect of harsh noise. But 2002’s Merzbeat was something different—a "beautiful and distorted dream" where the chaos was anchored by the unexpected. By layering his signature wall of static over heavy drum samples, swing rhythms, and jazz-inflected loops, Akita created a record that felt like a high-speed collision between a jazz club and a jet engine. It remains a landmark entry in his massive discography, proving that even in the heart of the storm, there is a pulse.

Released by Aurora Central, this definitive edition features the album’s first-ever remaster since its original release, restoring the "noise and bliss" with a depth and clarity that makes the low-end pound harder than ever. But the centerpiece for collectors is the Wax Mage variant: a hand-poured piece of playable art that mirrors the kaleidoscopic, layered complexity of the music itself. No two copies are alike, making this a one-of-a-kind physical manifestation of Merzbow’s sonic philosophy. Whether you’re a noise purist or a student of electronic evolution, this pressing is a mandatory acquisition—a stunning marriage of high-concept sound and high-art vinyl.