Dominick Fernow is one of the biggest names in noise music. Since 1998, his musical outlet Prurient has risen within the power electronics scene to become one of the most well known and influential acts since Genocide Organ and Whitehouse, capturing attention not only from purists but also more "hip" publishing ventures such as Pitchfork Media and arts orientated NYC tabloid The Village Voice. Whilst projects such as Vegas Martyrs and Ash Pool have seen Fernow branch out into black metal along with his synthesiser work in Cold Cave lending to something of a New Wave revival, it is the distinctly terrifying work of Prurient he is best known for.
Shipwrecker's Diary is but one of dozens of releases Fernow has released since the inception of Prurient, but it is perhaps distinct for its inclusion in his Series III releases which are described as focusing on an "aggressive all the time" criteria in dealing with speed, texture, current, and reoccurring themes. In any case, the result here is one of the most punishing concoctions of noise i've ever heard, from start to finish a barrage of savage frequencies that threaten to tear your eardrums apart and blow your speakers is thrown at you to deal with. In all its vulgarity it is rather tastefully crafted, patterns weave and swirl like a whirlwind of machine gun fire around the listener for almost its entire duration with barely a moment of respite, save for
June 19 and the closing two tracks
Who Are You Anyway? and
I Wonder If I'll Be Able to Sleep? which feature comparitively softer (but still harsh and difficult to listen to) frequencies and voice samples.
Shipwrecker's Diary is a short album, most tracks only last for around a minute or two with the only notable exception being
Palm, clocking in at just over 8 minutes. Still, it will wear you out like few albums can with an assault of sonic destruction you would do well never to put on a random playlist with anything. At the very least, Dominick Fernow proves that Prurient is capable of leaving an impression, whether for better or for worse.
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