"Imagine obsession. Now imagine compacting years of that obsession into a well-crafted work of art. Striations has done just that with, what I would call his magnum opus, 'Vietnamization'. This is the sound of war. Not just on for the soldiers on the battlefield; but the nations that feel its impact as well. With a battalion of highly praised collaborators, Mike Finklea has collaged Power Electronics and Harsh Noise to a seamless point. PE and HN have always been not-so-strange bedfellows with masterpieces such as Deathpile’s “G.R” or Taint’s “Justmeat,” but many, if not most, have a very stagnant backing accompanied with vocals. 'Vietnamization' manages to keep you interested with what sounds are coming next, a powerful vocal presentation and well-placed samples that are culled from various sources that are most certainly NOT Youtube. Originally released on cassette on the surging New Forces label, this expanded 2CD edition contains the original C60 as well as the companion CDr that was given to a select few close friends as well as additional art that was not included with the highly uniform NF cassette. The war has been over for nearly four and a half decades, but Striations has placed us right back in the jungle", Jim Haras. A 6-panel matte-laminated Digipak limited to 300. A special edition comes with an A3 poster limited to 50. Co-produced with Old Captain Records.
credits
released April 15, 2019
The ‘Vietnamization’ album consists of the first two operations (Phase 1 & Phase 2). Operations 3 - 5 (Phase 3, Phase 4, Phase 5) are supplemental materials included in this edition.
Additional contributions: [3, 5 & 18 by Captain M. Chami] [9 by Shooter S. Torres] [10 & 12 & 16 by Corporal C. Latina] [11 by Sgt. Major W. VanGorder] [14 by LARP Officer S. Aune] [17 by General P. Edwards.]
Mastered by Sound Technician & Sergeant E. Trude.
Striations is Special Officer Mike Finklea.
'Vietnamization' was conceived and executed March 2015 – December 2016. Originally released on New Forces in 2018.
This album is dedicated to my Uncle Kenneth Rondeau who spent his tour of duty repairing airplanes at Tan Son Nhut.
Please access 'Vietnamization: A Virtual Compendium' when listening via the following weblink: striations-vavc.blogspot.com
I cannot praise this album enough. This album is absolutely terrifying! The many starts and stops creates this very h settling tension. Each start expands on the stopper idea previously. It’s like the music equivalent of walking through thick fog while passing out multiple times throughout trying to find a place to orientate yourself. There may or may not be something sinister in that fog, but you don’t want to stick around to find out. Bought the vinyl so I summon the fog demons through spe showhornwithteeth
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