Prolific Austrian indie label Noise Appeal Records has reissued Fetish 69’s 1996 album, Purge, available for purchase via their webstore. Previously released as a CD, and now presented as a double vinyl LP, it’s a sonic reappraisal of one of Austria’s most fiercely unique sonic exports. Purge DLP roams through the fog with a raw, abrasive, heavy, tightly crafted sound that justifies its cult status and its newfound physical permanence. For listeners primarily accustomed to the main players of the genre, this record offers an essential, non-Anglocentric perspective on the junction of industrial, noise rock, and extreme metal, placing Fetish 69 as a crucial, if overlooked, chapter in the history of industrial metal. The band operates at the intersection of three distinct stylistic poles: the rhythmic, mechanical pulse of industrial, the crushing weight of mid-nineties alternative metal, and the chaotic, raw noise rock friction. Unlike many of their contemporaries who leaned heavily into programmed sterility, Fetish 69 ensured that the machine remained subservient to the human element. The band’s four components, vocals, guitar, bass, and drums, function as an unstoppable bone-breaking machinery ready to tear down everything in a broader radius.
The drumming is frequently highlighted as excellent, a description that feels almost understated, because this performance exemplifies controlled percussive violence. Rather than simply providing time, the drums act as a second layer of rhythmic noise, shifting between propulsive, straight-ahead metal beats and unpredictable, fractured noise-rock patterns. This versatility prevents the album from settling into industrial monotony. The bass is high in the mix, often adopting a distinct, grinding tone that threads complex counter-melodies against the guitar’s foundation, recalling the structural experimentation of bands like The Jesus Lizard or even the early, heavier work of Helmet, yet filtered through a darker, Central European sensibility. This rhythmic interplay provides the sophisticated backbone, demonstrating that aggression does not necessitate simplicity. The upper end of the frequency spectrum is dominated by the twin forces between guitars and vocals. The riffs are undeniably ultimately heavy, possessing a thick, sludgy texture that channels the groove and power of bands like Godflesh, Ministry, and even the more experimental edges of Prong. Fetish 69 turned distortion into a textural rather than purely harmonic tool that keeps the material feeling perpetually dangerous.
Lyrically and tonally, the vocals act as the primary storytelling device, providing an emotional, soulful, aggressive counterpoint to the metallic machinery. The vocals shift between guttural, hardcore-inflected shouts, a more measured, almost spoken industrial drawl, and moments of genuine, dark melody. These singing techniques lend weight and atmosphere to their dark aesthetics, while the combination of fierce vocal delivery over a grinding backdrop creates an atmosphere of anxious power and contained hostility, confirming the album’s status as a quintessential ’90s industrial document, free from the excessive polish that would later define much of the genre. The original 1996 CD release of Purge marked a high point for the group, but this double vinyl edition, strictly limited and beautifully produced by Noise Appeal Records, allows the album to be appreciated in its most aesthetically ambitious form. The hefty vinyl format inherently emphasizes the dynamic range and low-end presence, allowing the aforementioned intricate basslines and heavy guitar riffs to breathe with a tangible, room-filling weight that a 1990s CD mix might have compressed. Furthermore, the inclusion of a bonus track expands the original vision, offering completists and new fans alike a deeper look into Fetish 69’s creative work.
Crucially, the deluxe gatefold sleeve features the artwork of none other than Joe Coleman, a piece of art history in itself. Coleman’s visceral, hyper-detailed, and often grotesque work perfectly mirrors Fetish 69’s sonic philosophy, a gaze into the darker corners of human experience, rendered with obsessive detail. This visual component frames the music within a specific, challenging artistic context, making the Purge DLP reissue a genuinely immersive multimedia experience for those interested in industrial culture and dark aesthetics. Purge DLP is a mandatory acquisition for anyone serious about the ’90s underground, specifically the nexus of industrial, metal, and hardcore. It is a record that demands active listening, especially for those music enthusiasts who appreciate layers of rhythmic complexity and genuine emotional rawness. Fetish 69’s return, even in the form of a retrospective, once again exemplifies how raw, radical, and unique music can remain relevant decades after its initial emergence. This reissue is a vital, heavy, and incredibly well-executed piece of work that deserves a place next to the era’s titans. Therefore, head to Noise Appeal Records for more information about ordering.
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