A Brief History of Noise Music

Noise music is an experimental genre that challenges conventional musical structures and embraces dissonance, atonality, and unconventional sounds. It can be traced back to the early 20th century when avant-garde composers like Luigi Russolo began to explore non-traditional sound sources and the use of electronic instruments.

Defining Characteristics of Noise Music

Noise music often features harsh, abrasive textures and lacks traditional melody, harmony, or rhythm. It can include a wide range of sounds, from static and feedback to industrial machinery and found objects. In many ways, noise music is more about exploring sound as an art form than adhering to any specific musical conventions.

Notable Subgenres of Noise Music

Throughout its history, noise music has evolved into several subgenres, each with distinct characteristics. Some notable subgenres include:

• Power Electronics: Featuring heavily distorted vocals and aggressive themes, power electronics combines noise with elements of industrial music.
• Harsh Noise: Characterized by extreme volume and distortion, harsh noise often incorporates feedback loops and manipulated audio samples.
• Ambient Noise: Blending noise with ambient music elements, this subgenre focuses on creating immersive soundscapes rather than abrasive textures.

Prominent Noise Artists

Some influential noise music artists who have significantly contributed to the genre's development include:

• MERZBOW: A pioneer of the Japanese noise scene, MERZBOW is known for his incredibly prolific output and intense live performances.
• Whitehouse: Formed in the UK in the late 1970s, Whitehouse played a crucial role in the development of power electronics and have influenced countless artists since.
• Throbbing Gristle: Often credited with creating the industrial music genre, Throbbing Gristle incorporated noise elements into their groundbreaking, provocative work.