Issue #98: Bile – Biledegradable

Released:  1997

Recorded:  ? (Likely 1996/1997)

Genre:  Industrial Metal

Record Label:  Energy

Duration:  44:11

Producer:  ?

Personnel

Track Listing

Singles

Why Biledegradable is One of My Favorites

Bile was one of those bands I was destined to get into.  I was hooked “I Reject” from the Mortal Kombat OST at a fairly young age, and I later stumbled across them again in the form of “In League” on the Strangeland OST.  Well, I was determined to find an actual record from these guys, and back when Borders was around, I finally managed to run across a copy of Teknowhore.  It’s difficult to pick out a favorite; they definitely all have that “Bile sound” but they’re also fairly noisy, experimental pieces of work as well, this record moreso than others.

So I’ve started with their last album from the 90s, Biledegradable.  Industrial music began as a highly experimental genre (try actually listening to something like Coil’s Horse Rotovator), and a quick glance at the 40 minute run time coupled with a 7 song track list lets you know that these are going to be longish songs.  In fact, this is probably the band’s the most experimental release, and realistically I tend to gravitate more towards their other 2 records (in the 90’s at least) over this one.  But there are still some great moments here, and as a body of work, it’s deliciously fucked up in the truest sense of the phrase.

Bile has always been known for their bizarre stage presence, dark and twisted live performances, and Krztoff’s desire to create the “anti-band.”  The shock and awe isn’t terribly present on Biledegrabable, but the anti-band part of their mission statement is in full effect.  One of the things that’s always caught my ear regarding Bile are their sludgy, buzzing guitar riffs.  They’re about as trashy and heavy as a guitar can get; you can almost smell and feel the filth coming out of the music.  It’s dirty in a very deliberate way, and I’ve always found it totally fascination.  Krztoff’s vocals are often no more than distorted screams in a swirl of guitar hell, with just enough banging on the drums to let you know that there’s still some metal somewhere inside of this mess.  But it’s a good mess.  Most of the time.

First off we’re treated to a cover of The Who’s “My Generation.”  Sure, the original has some guitars banging around, and then there’s the stuttering, but wow, it’s never the same after hearing Bile’s version, which is the musical equivalent of something that is festering, rotting, decomposing…and doing so very violently.  Needless to say, it’s awesome.  Krztoff uses his computerized roar to blast through the song, while an even more cybernetic version of his voice speaks mechanically simultaneously.  Those slimy, rusty, jagged guitar riffs cut and saw their way to the front and feedback upon feedback is generated.  What’s impressive is that it retains enough of the original song’s distinct structure and rhythm that it’s completely recognizable as “My Generation” after the first few seconds.

“Rubber Love” speaks to Bile’s more purely industrial material.  The vocals are sort of chanted and the background is made up of little more than bizarre noises and assorted blips and rumbles of static.  “Degradable” might be the band’s finest moment as an anti-band; it’s literally 6 and a half minutes of a lo-fi, simplistic, pre-programmed beat on top of a few synth pops and fuzz.  There are a few words dotted around, though I’m not sure if they’re from Krztoff or from samples.  Either way, the track is kind of pointless, and probably has something to do with drugs.  If you ever get the chance to attend a Bile concert, request “Degradable” and let me know what happens.

“Fascion” is Bile at their best, though I have no idea why only a “demo” version was included on the record.  It’s got the raging guitar fuzz, angry distorted vocals, and appropriately frantic drumming.  This would be a great track with the help of a mixing board.  Then again, Bile is (are?) anything but conventional, so it’s entirely possible that it was recorded/presented like this on purpose.  Next up is “My Generation”…again…but now labeled as “original” or “original demo” or “original intro.”  There’s about a minute tacked on the front end of a drumbeat that isn’t present on the first track, but otherwise I notice no difference between the two.  The “original” may have the “robot voice” pushed into the foreground a little more and may have the static and noise toned down a touch, but I can’t be sure.

“The Phantom God” slithers and slinks with its sinister bassline, mostly as an accompaniment to Krztoff’s chanting/whispering.  Although this is maintained throughout the entire 12 minutes, the track goes through several radical changes.  Strings, muted guitar, dissonant and jarring glitchy synth…it is supremely weird to say the least.  “Planet Weather Control” is more strange technological foolery, but it is a bit more interesting than the preceding track.  Lots of weird, harsh tones run their course and then, for about the last 2 minutes, the track quietly runs itself down into something relatively calming…before that final weird screamy thing of course.

Ok, so maybe Biledegradable is a little…confusing.  An alleged demo track, 2 versions of the same thing, 2 (almost 3) full instrumentals…maybe this isn’t exactly at the top of the heap when it comes favorites.  But it is BILE, and as a teenager, I learned to love this sound.  If I’m honest, I think I like the idea of Biledegradable more than the actual music itself, but oh well.  “My Generation” is still something that shouldn’t be missed, and last 2 cuts would be great for some type of weird, dark, drugged up club setting.  This one may be worth skipping over, but the next 2 deserve a listen from any industrial metal fan.

Written by The Cubist

Other albums from Bile in this series:

• 1996 – Bile – Teknowhore – Issue #99

Back to The Cubist’s 90’s Albums

Written by The Cubist

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I collect as much video gaming paraphernalia as I can get my hands on, especially when it comes to hardware. With over 40 systems including oldies like the ColecoVision and Intellivision, obscurities like the CD-i and 3DO, and the latest and greatest including the Wii U, PS4, Xbox One, 3DS, and PS Vita, I get easily overwhelmed. Most of the time you can find me firmly nestled sometime between 1985 and 1995 when it comes to my games of choice, but I’m also having a great time seeing what the 8th generation has to offer.

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