Black Needle Noise is one of John Fryer’s many projects, with a focus on collaborating with different vocalists and embracing an “anything goes” philosophy. Fryer, of course, was 1/2 of This Mortal Coil – a band who employed a similar approach with regards to guest vocalists. As a producer, he has made his mark with Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Wire, Stabbing Westward, and many, many more. If there is a “John Fryer Sound” it’d have to mine both ethereal & angst, rage & beauty. His collaborator on A Shiver Of Want is Bill Leeb. An early member of Skinny Puppy who found worldwide success with Delerium and Front Line Assembly. Most of my readers have probably heard the Delerium song Silence featuring Lilith Fair founder Sarah McLachlan on vocals – a stunning slice of trance melancholy (in its original form). Which means that this Black Needle Noise / Bill Leeb collaboration should be a match made in heaven – and it is, I am pleased to say.
A Shiver of Want starts out with moody instrumentation shifting into a hymn like spoken verse. A slow build, if you will. Musically, it combines a menacing atmosphere with wholesale industrial aggression. Perfect, in other words. The chorus positively explodes, providing a catharsis of sorts. Lyrically, this is dark stuff. “you bring me down / you tear apart in me / the light you see / pours out of me”. The final 90 seconds or so of the song are perfectly sublime – a perfect meeting of angst, sadness, and hopelessness. “into the night / we fall away / our shadows becoming thin”. Unsettling. Masterful.
You can follow Black Needle Noise on The Social Network here and pick up the track here. An absolute gem, it deserves to be in your collection.
For Fans of: Nine Inch Nails, Delerium, This Mortal Coil, Cocteau Twins, Portishead, Wire, Lush
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