S.T.U.G. 218 – Order 218 C54

Violent Noise Atrocities

S.T.U.G. 218 is a side project of the man behind Deadwood. Previously, if I recall the sound has been more along the lines of harsh noise wall, but with Order 218 the artist presents a sickened array of harsh noise, death industrial, and power electronics. This is probably the first time I’ve thoroughly enjoyed material from this artist, and I can say with confidence that Order 218 is top-notch.

The production on the tape is excellent, all the harshness is bold and in-your face, with noise walls absolutely pummeling you with their power. The tracks are dynamic and changing, while also somehow maintaining a minimalist edge by using only sparse elements. Yet the effect is of overloaded destruction, overdriven into your skull. The cassette is packed to the brim with sound, each track transforming in intense yet organic ways that keep upping the ante for total brutality and aggression, all while keeping an underlying sense of structure and evolution.

The artwork is miminal and simple too, with grainy color printing, barely legible text, yet it still comes off as a more professional affair. Listening to this I just really enjoy the analog crunch, the way the album is consistently relentless, and the pure rage that seems to just build throughout it’s duration.

This is hands down the best material I have heard from this artist and it absolutely delivers full throttle. This perhaps may be for the curious listener who always tried to imagine what wall noise would sound like in power electronics form. Excellent work.

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