Masami Akita and Lasse Marhaug have been working together since the mid 90ies. The first release on Marhaugs (now deleted) label Jazzassin Records in 1995 was the >First Rock< split single. In 2001 Merzbow and Jazzkammer (Marhaugs project with John Hegre) released a live album. Later, Akita and Marhaug executed several live collaborations, but often with other artists such as Hair Stylistics and Jim O Rourke. In 2010 they finally got together to record as duo. Recorded at GOK Sound Studios in Tokyo the results can now be heard as >Mer Mar<. Made using a combination of scrap metal screeching, analogue synths, and enough effect pedals to give you overweight with most airline companies, >Mer Mar< is a tour de force for both of these noise veterans, hinting to some classic 80s Merzbow jams such as Material Action.
