INCAPACITANTS – Quietus LP

Few projects can claim the seminal importance of the Incapacitants on worldwide noise scene. The group was formed in 1981 in Osaka, as the solo project of Toshiji Mikawa, a member of the amazing noise group Hijokaidan. Later Mikawa moved to Tokyo, where he joined with Fumio Kosakai, also an occasional member of Hijokaidan, as well as a former member of C.C.C.C., to make Incapacitants a duo. They’ve been making some of the most unremittingly ear-shattering racket for decades as Incapacitants, one of the most significant noise outfits to emerge from the groundbreaking Japanese scene in the early 1980s, and still one of the most radical and powerful. They’ve consistently been responsible for some of the most complex, chaotic, loud, and downright fun releases in the genre.
Almost thirty years have passed since the first publication of Quietus. Is the fourth Incapacitants album released on Alchemy Records and along Feedback Of N.M.S. has definitively consecrates them as the Gods of Noise. ‘’No risk, No return’’ fills completely side a, and it’s just uncontaminated, pure electronic distortion of the highest quality: exciting, frightening, hypnotic and fascinating all at the same time. Side B open with a small noise gem, furrows that precede the intensity and the noisy purity that will characterize all the production of the Incapacitants, titled ‘’Backfire’’. And then comes the masterpiece ‘’Goby Fishing’’, whose sound is particularly exciting, agonizingly dense and full of detail, with thrilling psychedelics feedback and sonic bulldoze, all sounding crystal clear. It’s the perfect soundtrack for your lake holidays or ,for anyone with an inkling of interest, it’s a wonderful time capsule from the Golden Age of Japanese Noise.
Released in a beautiful limited edition of 199 copies – fully remastered for this vinyl edition – that perfectly reproduce the CD album’s original artwork, is a highly sought-after milestone in noise music – bridging rigorous practices of experimentation and highly refined elements of power electronics and hold countless revelations for anyone yet to encounter their wonders first hand. Incapacitants create inexhaustible chaos verging on the sublime, and take you on a truly excruciating journey toward catharsis. This is truly the spirit of noise: no macho posturing, no pseudo-intellectualism, no ‘’rocking out’’, no pretense! This first time vinyl reissue is about as essential as they come and an absolute must for any Japanoise fan. Needless to say, copies aren’t going to sit around for long. Grab it while you can!