John Watermann "Calcutta Gas Chamber"
(NDCD03) Released August 1993

Australian based composer John Watermann has created an engaging world of sonic and natural sounds processed and used in dramatic variations.

John Watermann has self-released several works and most recently a release on Cold Spring which features the collaboration with Merzbow.

Full color sleeve with insert.

Review
"Calcutta Gas Chamber is the soundscape of a horrible death site, essentially we could call it a deathscape. Perhaps an imaginary site, although the compser claims there is a gas chamber in Calcutta. Nevertheless, he has visited it where it exists or not. Sounds are grating, harsh; sounds unbearable but it isn't. In this release the sources are a mixture of field recordings and electronic manipulations. one can rarely pinpoint a location or action but the images the sounds conjure up are of all sorts of nefarious activites related to death by machinery. Watermann succeeds in scaring us to death via sound metaphors rather than sonic assaults. A beautifully composed and produced CD. Contact! (Canada)