I’ll side step the generic platitudes one usually sees affixed to a harsh noise release to simply inform you what this tape offers up: a solid wall of old-school, delay drenched tape, pedal and synth noise. Cabin Fever is a wonderfully horrifying psychedelic whorl. Play this tape loud. Preferably on some big old thrift store speakers. Something that really brings out that “wet sandpaper on concrete” feel of the recording. Something that will leave your ears ringing and your extremities tingling. If you have a guitar amp handy, try that. On a tape like this, stereo separation is not as important as the visceral weight of the sound.
In case you weren’t around in the late 90’s, Autoerotichrst did a handful of split 7”s with the likes of Richard Ramirez and Japanese Torture Comedy Hour, then took a 20 year break. Except not really. Founding member R. Mason did a few releases throughout the aughts and teens as Exploding Meth Lab and Lysergic Rites of Sadopriest. Back in the day, Mason also played bass for the east coast grind band Enemy Soil.
Now as a duo, Cabin Fever is Autoerotichrist’s first proper full-length release. It took about 20 years to happen, but it was worth it. Mason may not be one to oversaturate the market, but still has a solid repertoire under his belt. Clearly, this band takes their time and carefully selects what they put out. Like early Whitehouse and Ramleh, there is the feeling of abstracted song craft and composition here. The material is organized. It leads the listener by the nose, to nowhere nice, no doubt.
-- Mike Barrett
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