Coil - Unnatural History I-III (1990-1997)

×

Coil - Unnatural History I-III (1990-1997)

Close

The Unnatural History series puts obscure, collectable, and out of print singles, compilation tracks, and soundtracks on CD, making those ultra-limited works available all in one place.
Unnatural History (1990). The tracks were recorded during the 1983-86 timeline and include not only the classic Balance / Christopherson mind bending electronic surreality as Coil but also include three tracks with Boyd Rice when they were known as Sickness of Snakes which released one EP titled "Nightmare Culture." For anyone who is familiar with the bizarre musical (or not so much so) adventures of Coil, then nothing on this compilation will be overly shocking however this collection provides a interesting historical glimpse into how Balance and Christopherson evolved from making phantasmagoric electronic mind trips that focused on non-melodic or even non-musical experiments with industrial, psychedelia and the avant-garde elements, to how they eventually added bleak and forbidding melodic components.

Unnatural History II (1995). On the stunning second edition of the series, three tracks are previously unreleased: "In Memory of the Truth," "Unquiet Rest," and "Wait, Then Return" are outstanding Coil rituals that were recorded during the same sessions as the Hellraiser soundtrack. "Vanishing Point" appears to be an unknown title, yet in fact it is a version of "Attack of the Sennapods" from Hellraiser Themes. To make things even more mysterious (in typically enigmatic Coil fashion), the last track, "The Hills Are Alive," is not listed on the cover, nor is it given a CD index. This track appears on the same index as "Theme From Blue II," following an extended silence. However, the highlights of the collection are the tracks "Another Brown World" and "Contains a Disclaimer," which are both recordings Coil made in Burma. Coil captured an extraordinary field recording of a monk singing chants, which they worked into the Coil miasma. Perhaps one of the single most influential voices in post-industrial music of the '80s and '90s, Coil seems to create sublime poetry in its music that is never short of brilliant, regardless of whatever diversions the group may take.

Unnatural History III (1997). The Unnatural History series attempts, much like Stereolab's Switched On series, to collect scattered EP and compilation tracks from throughout Coil's career. This one covers mostly early-'90s material, centering on songs recorded around Love's Secret Domain, but it also includes some rare tracks dating back to the mid-'80s. "First Dark Ride" and "Baby Food" are excellent long-form explorations into sound sculpture, not resembling "songs" per se, but atmospheres and textures. These are followed by the intriguing "Music for Commercials," 11 bits of incidental music used in adverts for products like natural gas, accident insurance, perfume, and analgesics. Peter Christopherson's background in commercial video production and album design probably played a hand in getting the work. Coil transcend any accusations of "selling out" by creating music that still has their imprimatur on it, but work in a commercial setting. Very unique and unlike anything else in the Coil catalog. Also included is "Feeder," collaboration with Chris & Cosey. One of the more creepy songs on the album, a solo piano and cello begin the piece but are buried under a wall of noisy dub effects and John Balance's unearthly vocals, only to re-appear playing a twisted slow waltz. In Coil's extensive discography, this is a standout, but probably not the best place for neophytes, who would be better served by Love's Secret Domain or Stolen and Contaminated Songs.

×

Coil - Unnatural History I-III (1990-1997)

Close

×

Coil - Unnatural History I-III (1990-1997)

Close

×

Coil - Unnatural History I-III (1990-1997)

Close