Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years
Encyclopedia
Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years is a box set album
compiling songs released on Wax Trax! Records
between 1980 and 1993. Black Box commemorates Wax Trax!'s output as an independent record label
prior to its purchase by TVT Records
. In particular, Black Box celebrates Wax Trax!'s place as the seminal American
industrial
label, featuring acts such as Ministry
(and its numerous side projects), KMFDM
, Meat Beat Manifesto
, Coil
, Laibach
, and many others.
Black Box is notable for containing the Trent Reznor
Vocal Version of 1000 Homo DJs
' "Supernaut." Reznor's vocal recording was not used on the original Wax Trax! release because of pressure from his then-current record label—conspicuously, TVT Records. Absent from Black Box is the work of Front 242
, whose releases on Wax Trax! (originally licensed from Play It Again Sam
) are not represented because of disputes with Epic Records
, which had recently obtained the rights to Front 242's catalogue.
A numbered limited edition run of 10,000 of this box set was also released. The packaging was an electroplated galvanized steel box, enclosed in a black nylon mesh that was tied off at each end by heavy gauge metal wire. A card that had information about the release, including the limited edition numbering, was attached to the packaging via a wire tie. The top lid was stamped with the "Black Box" logo. Inside the packaging were the following items (stacked from top to bottom in this order): a single sided poster, the information booklet (the same that was included in the regular release), Disc 1, a coaster with the "Black Box" logo on it, Disc 2, a "Black Box" patch, Disc 3, and a postcard you could mail in for a free catalogue from Wax Trax! / TVT. All of this sat on a bedding of "69 feet of audio tape outtakes." Each of the three CDs came in their own opaque black jewel case that had no printing on it.
A pair of companion VHS
tapes were released in conjunction with the CD release.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
compiling songs released on Wax Trax! Records
Wax Trax! Records
Wax Trax! Records was an independent record label in the United States. Wax Trax! began as a record shop in Denver, Colorado opened by Jim Nash and Dannie Flesher. They sold the store in 1978 and, in November of that year, opened a new one under the same name at 2449 North Lincoln Avenue in...
between 1980 and 1993. Black Box commemorates Wax Trax!'s output as an independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
prior to its purchase by TVT Records
TVT Records
TVT Records was an independent US record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 25 year history the label released some 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Underworld, The KLF, Sevendust, Brian Jonestown Massacre and...
. In particular, Black Box celebrates Wax Trax!'s place as the seminal American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
industrial
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
label, featuring acts such as Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
(and its numerous side projects), KMFDM
KMFDM
KMFDM is an industrial band led by German multi-instrumentalist Sascha Konietzko, who founded the group in 1984 as a performance art project...
, Meat Beat Manifesto
Meat Beat Manifesto
Meat Beat Manifesto, often shortened to Meat Beat or MBM, is an electronic music group originally consisting of Jack Dangers and Jonny Stephens formed in 1987 in Swindon, UK...
, Coil
Coil (band)
Coil were an English cross-genre, experimental music group formed in 1982 by John Balance—later credited as "Jhonn Balance"—and his partner Peter Christopherson, aka "Sleazy". The duo worked together on a series of releases before Balance chose the name Coil, which he claimed to be...
, Laibach
Laibach (band)
Laibach is a Slovenian avant-garde music group associated with industrial, martial, and neo-classical musical styles. Laibach formed June 1, 1980 in Trbovlje, Slovenia . Laibach represents the music wing of the Neue Slowenische Kunst art collective, of which it was a founding member in 1984...
, and many others.
Black Box is notable for containing the Trent Reznor
Trent Reznor
Michael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
Vocal Version of 1000 Homo DJs
1000 Homo DJs
1000 Homo DJs was a side project of industrial music band Ministry. It is best known for its cover of Black Sabbath's "Supernaut." The project was released through industrial label Wax Trax! Records....
' "Supernaut." Reznor's vocal recording was not used on the original Wax Trax! release because of pressure from his then-current record label—conspicuously, TVT Records. Absent from Black Box is the work of Front 242
Front 242
Front 242 is a pioneering Belgian electronic music group that came into prominence during the 1980s. They are known for being the premier pioneer of electronic body music and as a major influence on the electronic and industrial music genres.-Formation:...
, whose releases on Wax Trax! (originally licensed from Play It Again Sam
Play It Again Sam (record label)
[PIAS] Recordings is the recorded music division of the [PIAS] Entertainment Group, a European independent artist and label services company.The record labels that operate under the [PIAS] Recordings umbrella are: Play It Again Sam, Wall of Sound and Different Recordings.Aside from the three London...
) are not represented because of disputes with Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, which had recently obtained the rights to Front 242's catalogue.
A numbered limited edition run of 10,000 of this box set was also released. The packaging was an electroplated galvanized steel box, enclosed in a black nylon mesh that was tied off at each end by heavy gauge metal wire. A card that had information about the release, including the limited edition numbering, was attached to the packaging via a wire tie. The top lid was stamped with the "Black Box" logo. Inside the packaging were the following items (stacked from top to bottom in this order): a single sided poster, the information booklet (the same that was included in the regular release), Disc 1, a coaster with the "Black Box" logo on it, Disc 2, a "Black Box" patch, Disc 3, and a postcard you could mail in for a free catalogue from Wax Trax! / TVT. All of this sat on a bedding of "69 feet of audio tape outtakes." Each of the three CDs came in their own opaque black jewel case that had no printing on it.
A pair of companion VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
tapes were released in conjunction with the CD release.
Disc one
- "Supernaut (Trent ReznorTrent ReznorMichael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
Vocal Version)" – 1000 Homo DJs1000 Homo DJs1000 Homo DJs was a side project of industrial music band Ministry. It is best known for its cover of Black Sabbath's "Supernaut." The project was released through industrial label Wax Trax! Records.... - "No Devotion" – Revolting CocksRevolting CocksRevolting Cocks, also known as RevCo, is an American–Belgian industrial rock band and sometime supergroup that began as a musical side-project for Richard 23 of Front 242, Luc Van Acker, and Al Jourgensen of Ministry.-History:...
- "Beers, Steers and Queers (12" Version)" – Revolting Cocks
- "Addiction" – Sister Machine GunSister Machine Gun-The early years:Sister Machine Gun was formed by Chris Randall and Guilherme Machado in New York City. They performed at New Jersey's Pipeline, and New York's Limelight. The band went on a short hiatus after Chris Randall joined KMFDM's tour as a stage technician. After the tour, Randall left...
- "Violent Peace" – Excessive ForceExcessive ForceExcessive Force is a musical side project started in 1991 by Sascha Konietzko of KMFDM and Buzz McCoy of My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult.-History:...
- "Envoyé (12" Version)" – The Young GodsThe Young GodsThe Young Gods are a Swiss post-industrial band. The band's lineup has generally consisted of a vocalist, a sampler operator and a drummer. Their instrumentation often includes sampled electric guitars, drums, keyboards, and other samples. The lyrics are depicted in English, French and...
- "I Will Refuse (12" Version)" – PailheadPailheadPailhead was a short-lived side project of the industrial metal band Ministry, which featured Ian MacKaye on vocals...
- "Faster Than Light" – Lead Into GoldLead Into GoldLead Into Gold was a side project of American industrial musician Paul Barker, best known as the bassist for Ministry. Primarily a solo project by Barker, Lead Into Gold featured occasional guest performances by his Ministry bandmates Al Jourgensen and Bill Rieflin.Lead Into Gold only released two...
- "Digital Tension Dementia" – Front Line AssemblyFront Line AssemblyFront Line Assembly is a Canadian electro-industrial band formed by Bill Leeb in 1986 after leaving Skinny Puppy. Influenced by early Industrial acts such as Cabaret Voltaire, Portion Control, D.A.F., Test Dept, SPK, and Severed Heads, FLA has developed its own unique sound while combining...
- "Your God Is Dead" – Mussolini Headkick
- "Now Is the Time" – Greater Than One
- "Shit for Brains" – PIGPIG (band)Raymond Watts is the founding and sole member of the post-industrial music project PIG, sometimes written as '....
- "Cop Out" – Peter Hope and Richard H. KirkRichard H. KirkRichard H. Kirk is an English musician specialising in electronic music since the 1970s.-Background:Richard H. Kirk first came to prominence in the 1970s as a member of the seminal industrial band Cabaret Voltaire...
- "Atomic Dog" – WreckWreck (band)Wreck was an indie rock band formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1988, and later based in Chicago. After releasing three albums the band split up in the mid-1990s, with singer/guitarist Dean Schlabowske going on to join The Waco Brothers.-History:...
- "Elephant's Graveyard" – Strike UnderStrike UnderStrike Under was an influential Chicago punk rock band of the early 1980s. It was started by Steve Bjorklund after the demise of The Rabbits. The principal musicians, besides Bjorklund, were his brother Chris , Pierre Kezdy , and Bob Furem .Strike Under was founded in 1979 or 1980...
Disc two
- "Stowaway" – Chris ConnellyChris ConnellyChris Connelly is a Scottish musician who became famous for his industrial music work of the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly his involvement with the Revolting Cocks and Ministry. He has since established himself as a talented alternative singer-songwriter...
- "Come Down Here" – Chris Connelly
- "Love's Secret Domain" – CoilCoil (band)Coil were an English cross-genre, experimental music group formed in 1982 by John Balance—later credited as "Jhonn Balance"—and his partner Peter Christopherson, aka "Sleazy". The duo worked together on a series of releases before Balance chose the name Coil, which he claimed to be...
- "The Snow (Answers Come In Dreams II Version)" – Coil
- "The Hacker" – Clock DVAClock DVAClock DVA are an industrial music, post-punk and EBM group from Sheffield, England. The group was formed in 1978, with two members, Adolphus "Adi" Newton and Steven "Judd" Turner. Along with contemporaries Heaven 17, Clock DVA's name was inspired by the Russian-influenced Nadsat of Anthony Burgess'...
- "Virus (12" Version)" – KMFDMKMFDMKMFDM is an industrial band led by German multi-instrumentalist Sascha Konietzko, who founded the group in 1984 as a performance art project...
- "Godlike (12" Version)" – KMFDM
- "Every Day (Is Halloween) (Original 12" Version)" – MinistryMinistry (band)Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
- "Rigor Mortis" – A Split Second
- "Butterfly Potion (12" Version)" – FoetusFoetus (band)Foetus is the primary musical outlet of industrial music pioneer J. G. Thirlwell. Until 1995 the band underwent various name changes, all including the word foetus. Monikers adopted at different times include Foetus Under Glass, You've Got Foetus On Your Breath and Scraping Foetus Off The Wheel...
- "Father Don't Cry" – Doubting Thomas
- "Nothing Stays" – CyberaktifCyberaktifCyberaktif was a one-time musical collaboration project between Bill Leeb of the band Front Line Assembly, and cEvin Key and Dwayne Goettel of Skinny Puppy...
- "Words (Of The Dying)" – Controlled BleedingControlled BleedingControlled Bleeding is a prolific experimental music group based in Massapequa, New York. The group was founded by Paul Lemos, the group's only consistent member...
- "Compulsion" – In The NurseryIn The NurseryIn the Nursery are a neo-classical/martial electronica band, known for their cinematic sound. The duo has provided soundtracks to a variety of TV programmes and films, and is known for its rescoring of silent films.- Career :...
Disc three
- "Rubber Glove Seduction (12" Version)" – PTPPTP (band)The industrial band PTP was a short-lived side project of Ministry's Alain Jourgensen. The band's total recorded legacy consists of three songs....
- "No Name, No Slogan (12" Version)" – Acid HorseAcid HorseAcid Horse was a one-off collaborative side project between two industrial music pioneers, Ministry and Cabaret Voltaire. Only one single, "No Name, No Slogan", was released in 1989 on Wax Trax! records...
- "What Time Is Love? (12" Version)" – The KLFThe KLFThe KLF were one of the seminal bands of the British acid house movement during the late 1980s and early 1990s....
- "Silicon Jesus (Duality Mix)" – PsykosonikPsykosonikPsykosonik was an American techno music group.-History:Their first album, Psykosonik, was a hard-hitting techno album with cyberpunk-esque lyrics....
- "Cuz It's Hot (12" Version)" – My Life With the Thrill Kill KultMy Life With the Thrill Kill KultMy Life with the Thrill Kill Kult is an American electronic industrial rock band originally based out of Chicago, Illinois.-History:...
- "Do You Fear (for Your Child)" – My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult
- "Geburt Einer Nation" – LaibachLaibach (band)Laibach is a Slovenian avant-garde music group associated with industrial, martial, and neo-classical musical styles. Laibach formed June 1, 1980 in Trbovlje, Slovenia . Laibach represents the music wing of the Neue Slowenische Kunst art collective, of which it was a founding member in 1984...
- "God O.D." – Meat Beat ManifestoMeat Beat ManifestoMeat Beat Manifesto, often shortened to Meat Beat or MBM, is an electronic music group originally consisting of Jack Dangers and Jonny Stephens formed in 1987 in Swindon, UK...
- "Mindblower" – FredFred GiannelliFred Giannelli is an electronic musician born 1960 in Lowell, Massachusetts. He began experimenting with electronics in the late 1970s as Turning Shrines. In 1984, Giannelli met Psychic TV's Genesis P. Orridge while the group was in Boston for a gig. This led to Giannelli eventually flying to...
- "I.C. Water" – Psychic TVPsychic TVPsychic TV or PTV, is a video art and music group that primarily performs psychedelic, punk, electronic and experimental music...
- "Me and My Ding Dong" – PankowPankow (Italian band)Pankow is an Italian/German Electronic & EBM band, formed in 1979 and headed by Maurizio Fasolo. In its early days, the songs were in German , with singer Alex Spalck. Like the East German band of the same name, Pankow was named after the Pankow district of Berlin...
- "The Name Game (7" Version)" – DivineDivine (Glen Milstead)Divine , born Harris Glenn Milstead, was an American actor, singer and drag queen. Described by People magazine as the "Drag Queen of the Century", Divine often performed female roles in both cinema and theater and also appeared in women's clothing in musical performances...
External links
- Black Box at discogs.comDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...