Search - Throbbing Gristle :: Heathen Earth

...Throbbing...

Philippe Landry | Louisiana | 07/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this best represents TG's sound: improvised noise in a controlled studio environment. You get a real White Light/White Heat intensity from this set. Chris and Sleazy push the live tape manpulation/sequencing/synthesis envelope to the max. Anyone who is into the early schematics of actual industrial should give this a listen -- it's a wonder what a couple modified tape decks and a few synths can do. Gen-P and Cosey add a rather unsettling, [physical]/animalistic feeling to the mix; ..., Gen-p coming off as a dictator. You might also want to find out who was present in the studio during this recording; a who's who of the post-punk/avant-industrial elite, with just their presence adding an air of mutual-ritual to the whole thing."

Industrial essential

The Pitiful Anonymous | the Acres of Skin | 01/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Heathen Earth is TG's 'live-in-studio' release, meaning it was performed for a small audience of friends in studio. It's as long as a usual TG show, but the atmosphere is considerably less violent and this is some of their most melodic and musical material. These are the songs they were playing frequently live at this point in their career, however instruments and sound effects are minimal here compared to the walls of noise these songs turned into in a real live setting.



The intensity and tension of Heathen Earth is amazing. No editing of any kind has split up the performance. As you listen it's almost as if TG were playing in front of you, you can imagine the band members movements as they made these sounds. The sounds themselves are very subconscious, emotional and expressive. Some of the most beautiful, memorable sounds are the bubbling and guitar effects in "After Cease to Exist", the melodic vocals of "The World is a War Film", the buzzing, solitary melody at the end of "Still Walking" and the strangely soothing improvised conversation between Cosey and Chris Carter. "Cornets" is the characteristic TG introduction (wailing cornets), and it builds tension and eases the listener into the album perfectly.



The art and packaging compliments the album wonderfully.



The actual song names aren't in the album notes or on Amazon, but these songs do have names. They are-



1. Cornets

2. The Old Man Smiled

3. After Cease to Exist

4. The World is a War Film

5. Dreamachine

6. Still Walking

7. Don't Do As You're Told, Do As You Think

8. Painless Chlldbirth



Bonus Songs-



9. Adrenalin

10. Subhuman



This is a unique and classic industrial album, and so is "D.O.A".

Either one is a good first purchase to a new TG fan."

VERY Original and Creative, Reflecting the Age's Atomosphire

The Pitiful Anonymous | 08/28/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very original and creative peice of work considering the point that the album was initially released. If you like the works of the Art of Noize, Einsturzende Neubauten, Propaganda, New Order, Joy Division, etc., you will probably find that this work is very original and full of creativity which inspires you a lot. However, if you do like only melodious ones, please skip this. This would probably be not for you."