Merzbow

Merzbow is the stage name of Masami Akita, a Japanese experimental musician born in 1956 in Tokyo. He is widely regarded as a central figure in the development of noise music and has been active since the 1980s, releasing hundreds of recordings on numerous labels and formats.

The name Merzbow derives from Kurt Schwitters' Merz art movement and is used for Akita's principal project. He began recording in the late 1970s and early 1980s with improvised electronics, tape manipulation, and feedback, releasing material on underground cassettes and small labels.

Musically, Merzbow's work is characterized by extreme volume and density, combining feedback, distortion, manipulated electronics, and found sounds. It emphasizes texture over conventional melody and spans harsh noise, drone, and other experimental forms. His process often involves loud, immersive soundscapes created with analog gear, live processing, and extensive experimentation.

He has collaborated with numerous other artists in the noise and avant-garde scenes and has performed internationally at experimental venues and festivals. Pulse Demon (1996) is frequently cited as a landmark release that helped define the genre. His prolific output—commonly described as hundreds of releases—has influenced a broad range of musicians and artists around the world.

Merzbow's work solidified his place in the global noise movement, contributing to the perception of noise as a legitimate artistic practice within experimental music and contemporary art discourse. While frequently controversial for its confrontational nature, it is routinely discussed in music scholarship for its impact and pioneering approach.