This is bound to be a harsh one. Total Black has announced the upcoming release of «Commissioned», a split LP with Lingua Ignota signing the A-side and renowned harsh nosie collective The Rita on the B-side. As explained by the label, the author of the incredible «All Bitches Die» (digitally available here) performs “stripped down piano and vocals renditions” of «Girls From The Streets» and «Jolene», by Scott Walker and Dolly Parton respectively, whereas The Rita “deconstructs works by Igor Stravinsky played by Mallory Linehan, continuing down the path of ballet obsession explored in recent years.” Below, find the artwork for «Comissioned», as well as a statement by Lingua Ignota’s Kristin Hayter.

Ongoing collaborations with THE RITA explore notions of embodiment and disembodiment, obsession and worship, creation and obliteration. COMMISSIONED is what we asked of each other, as the work is no longer just about the sonic realm — it has become about us, he and I, and our awareness, embedded within almost two years of constant communication, back and forth, exchanging ideas, exchanging heartache, one following the mind of the other. That our work is so different yet rooted in restlessness, an inability to sit still, loneliness, and follows angles, lines. The line of a voice vs. the line of a wall. COMMISSIONED is an understanding, a pact.

 – Kristin Hayter

«Commissioned» is available in vinyl format through Total Black at this location. The edition is limited to 300 copies.

Interestingly, back in 2017 Hayter mentioned The Rita in an interview with Music & Riots, stating that “where else can music go to get heavy and dark? I feel like we tap out at true Harsh Noise Wall. That’s the end. It’s the heaviest sound world there is. You listen to 35 minutes of The Rita putting a mic’ed pointe shoe through four pedals, the sound source totally obliterated into nothingness with every frequency maxed out the entire time — that’s the end of heavy music. Goregrind/hategrind, NSBM, racist power electronics – none of it holds a candle to that absolute decimation and entropy, it’s staring into a void.”

Finally, note that Lingua Ignota will be touring Europe throughout April, mostly in support of Author & Punisher but with solo dates at the Roadburn and Donau festivals. The dates can be found below and the events at this location.