a key component of the 1990s birmingham techno sound, and co-founder of the downwards label, female's music is as important for everything it doesn't tell you as it is for the pummeling rhythms it forces you to engage with. one of the few remaining examples of an artist with a palpable sense of mystique, female conjures a world that evokes film noir, or even something out of a Burroughs story. the language of this music will be familiar to those who listen to "dance music", but the bare building blocks are often all we get. development within these tracks is subtle, and it's the sense that something is being held back that gives the music its power. the forceful minimalism of these tracks creates a narrative that, when combined with their titles and the visual imagery of the sleeves, is at once immediate and yet feels almost impenetrable. this tension is what makes the music so invigorating. It's as if we're hearing blocks of sound carved out from larger monoliths that have no beginning or end. This music is an aural equivalent to an act of voyeurism, or the fear of seeing something horrific we shouldn't have seen. brutal and repetitive, it recalls a distant time and place, yet somehow escapes the confines of linear time and sounds fresh today.
this comprehensive box set places female in the same spotlight as luminary figures regis and surgeon. these sides are no less important and their simplicity is deceptive. female, with all its bleak and yet forward-thrusting energy, is crucial to understanding how downwards, as a precursor to sandwell district, created a larger-than-life legend. carefully transferred from the original vinyl records with audiophile needles for the best stereo cuts, the audio was then meticulously cleaned and de-clicked. justin broadrick, a contemporary of the early downwards crew with a pristine ear, was then brought in to remaster everything, resulting in a true to the original vibe but larger than life textural result. In addition to including nearly every solo Female track and record released on downwards and sandwell district, the fifth disc presents a never-before released live collaboration with regis from 2000.
packaged in a deluxe velvet wrapped and debossed box with spot gloss individual cd wallets and with pull tab ribbon and large fold out poster featuring rare photos.
edition of 500.
includes download code for complete set.
Includes unlimited streaming of
Pleasures That Kill
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Government Controlled Shrines –
Linekraft/Prurient 'Government Controlled Shrines' Black Vinyl 2x 7"+ 5" In Cloth Bag
Linekraft/Prurient
$45 USD
Government Controlled Shrines –
Linekraft/Prurient 'Government Controlled Shrines' Picture Disc 2x 7"+ 5" In Cloth Bag
Linekraft/Prurient
$45 USD
The World Is Empty, The Heart Is Full –
Raspberry Bulbs 'The World Is Empty, The Heart Is Full' Pink/Black Merge Vinyl LP Repress Pre Order
Raspberry Bulbs
$30 USD
Under Crumbled Stairs –
Lussuria 'Under Crumbled Stairs' Cassette Pre Order
Lussuria
$15 USD
Satanic Hair Dye –
Yellow Gas Flames 'Satanic Hair Dye' Black Vinyl LP Pre Order
Yellow Gas Flames
$30 USD
Smokestacks –
Abfall/Prurient 'Smokestacks' Blue Vinyl 10" Pre Order
Abfall/Prurient
$25 USD
Power Plant –
Powdered Beatles/Meat Locker 'Power Plant'
Powdered Beatles/Meat Locker
$25 USD
Soundtrack For Judgement Of Souls –
Christian Cosmos 'Soundtrack For The Judgement Of Souls' Cassette Pre Order
Christian Cosmos
Sold Out
Edifice –
December Magic 'Edifice' Cassette Pre Order
December Magic
Sold Out
Christmas Day Dark Ambient –
Failing Lights 'Christmas Eve Dark Ambient' Cassette Pre Order
Failing Lights
Sold Out
There Is Crime In The Animal Kingdom –
The Skullchair 'There Is Crime In The Animal Kingdom' Cassette Pre Order
The Skullchair
Sold Out
You Seem To Enjoy Mindless Violence –
Anzak 'You Seem To Enjoy Mindless Violence' Clear Vinyl LP Pre Order
ANZAK
$30 USD
Negative Fascination (Expanded) –
Silent Servant 'Negative Fascination (Expanded) Clear Vinyl LP
Silent Servant
$40 USD
Negative Fascination (Expanded) –
Silent Servant 'Negative Fascination' Picture Disc 2xLP
Silent Servant
Sold Out
Nitrous Oxide –
Abfall 'Nitrous Oxide' 2xCD Pre Order
Abfall
$20 USD
Pain Is All I Have For You –
Wounded Son 'Pain Is All I Have For You' Clear Vinyl LP Pre Order
Wounded Son
$30 USD
Draconic Synthesis –
Old Tower 'Draconic Synthesis' Black Vinyl LP Pre Order
Old Tower
$30 USD
Draconic Synthesis –
Old Tower 'Draconic Synthesis' CD Pre Order
Old Tower
$20 USD
Draconic Synthesis –
Old Tower 'Draconic Synthesis' Dragon's Breath (Red/Clear) LP Pre Order
Old Tower
$30 USD
Draconic Synthesis –
Old Tower 'Draconic Synthesis' Picture Disc LP Pre Order
Old Tower
$30 USD
The World Is Empty, The Heart Is Full –
Raspberry Bulbs 'The World Is Empty, The Heart Is Full' Cassette Pre Order
Raspberry Bulbs
Sold Out
The World Is Empty, The Heart Is Full –
Raspberry Bulbs 'The World Is Empty, The Heart Is Full' Picture Disc Vinyl LP Pre Order
Raspberry Bulbs
Sold Out
Occultess Unknown –
Seclusion 'Occulltess Unknown' Orange Smoke Vinyl LP
Seclusion
$30 USD
Occultess Unknown –
Seclusion 'Occultess Unknown' Picture Disc Vinyl
Seclusion
$30 USD
The Reign Of Deimos –
Torture Chain 'The Reign Of Deimos' 2xLP Black Vinyl
Torture Chain
$40 USD
Couple Out On The Town Riding The Skull Car –
Raging October 'Couple Out On The Town Riding The Skull Car' Cassette Pre Order
Raging October
Sold Out
Killer Whale Atmospheres –
Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement 'Killer Whale Atmospheres' Black Vinyl 2xLP
Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement
$40 USD
Killer Whale Atmospheres –
Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement 'Killer Whale Atmospheres' CD
Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement
$15 USD
Killer Whale Atmospheres –
Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement 'Killer Whale Atmospheres' Cassette
Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement
$20 USD
Killer Whale Atmospheres –
Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement 'Killer Whale Atmospheres' Special Edition Clear Glacier Blue 2xLP + Bonus Tape + Tote Bag
Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement
$86 USD
Killer Whale Atmospheres –
Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement 'Killer Whale Atmospheres' White w/ Black Splatter Vinyl 2xLP
Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement
$40 USD
Cycle Of The Werewolf Bondage –
Silver Bullet 'Cycle Of The Werewolf Bondage' Cassette
Silver Bullet
Sold Out
Hospital Productions New York, New York
A Small Sado-Masochistic Family
