Power noise

Power noise (also known as rhythmic noise, noize and occasionally as distorted beat music) is a form of Industrial music and a fusion genre between noise music and various styles of electronic dance music. It should not be confused with "power electronics", which is not influenced by electronic dance music and is closer to harsh noise. Its origins are predominantly European.

History

1990s

Power noise takes inspiration from Spanish industrial act Esplendor Geometrico, active since 1980. The Belgian group Dive also anticipated the style in the early '90s. The term "power noise" was coined by Raoul Roucka of Noisex in 1997, with the track "United (Power Noise Movement)". The genre was exposed to the U.S. industrial scene by the electro-industrial act Wumpscut, who signed Noisex to the label Mental Ulcer Forges.

The first power noise artists were German. In addition to Noisex and :wumpscut:, these included Asche, Morgenstern, P.A.L, Synapscape, and Feindflug. The Belgians Axiome, Hypnoskull, Imminent, Ah Cama-Sotz, Sonar, and This Morn' Omina, also developed the genre. Black Lung, an Australian, and Orphx, Canadians, were also active in the style at this time. Japanoise musicians, such as Merzbow,Aube, and Contagious Orgasm, have also made use of prominent rhythms.