Dramatic Noise: Yasuhito Fujinami’s “Dream Ritual”

Going into “Dream Ritual,” by noise artist Yasuhito Fujinami, I expected something harsh. I mean, that’s what he’s known for, with songs inspired heavily by the cacophony of Merzbow. Yet “Dream Ritual” avoids pure chaos in favor of slow-building drama, using its near-eight-minute playtime to develop tension rather than pummel the listener over the head. Opening with samples of dialog…leading to a woman crying…”Dream Ritual” than transitions into a synth-driven slow burn, letting the sound of breaking glass and other extreme noises come in and out. It’s abrasive, but always offers some breathing room…which in turn just allows the next wave to hit even more effectively. Listen above.