Severed Heads - Ear Bitten

Dark Entries returns to the archives of Severed Heads to present a definitive, double LP reissue of their earliest and most elusive material. Originally released in 1980, Ear Bitten is the foundational document of a group that shaped the continental subcultural sound. Formed in 1979 when Tom Ellard, Richard Fielding, and Andrew Wright abandoned their previous moniker (Mr. and Mrs. No Smoking Sign) in favor of a name that would allow them to "pretend to be an industrial band," the group crafted a sonic world built on kitchen electronics, chaotic tape loops, and strangely infectious, nursery-rhyme-esque melodies.

The recording of Ear Bitten was a triumph of lo-fi ingenuity, utilizing open-reel dictaphones, a TRS-80 computer, a Kawai Synthesizer 100F, and a Korg Mini Pops drum machine. Original copies of the album now fetch "obscene sums," largely because most of the band’s own stock perished in a fire at Richard Fielding's home. This reissue finally pairs the original album with Side 2—a collection of free-form experiments originally released on cassette as a conceptual "second half" to the record. Furthermore, the second disc contains the original, unreleased first version of Ear Bitten, which was previously unissued simply because the recording format was unsuitable for pressing in 1980.

Housed in a beautiful gatefold sleeve designed by Eloise Leigh, this release is a treasure trove for industrial and experimental fans. It includes archival photos, extensive liner notes, and faithful reproductions of the original Xerox inserts from the 1980 pressing. Spanning 22 tracks of "noise-rock" and early electronic experimentation, Ear Bitten remains an essential look at the birth of an Australian legend.