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Signal grew out of the electro-industrial project Conversion Factor, just like his former cohort, Frozen Empire Media artist idyl, though he chose a far noisier path, as the six opening tracks of this split release reveal. Oddly he credits his raw, crude sound to lack of equipment, citing a need for further evolution and complexity in his bio. I swear though, if I hear any more porn samples in any kind of music I'm gonna put out a hit on Ron Jeremy! It's a tired fusion, and the first track on this disc by Signal, "Her Blue Eyes," is primarily lifted from a skin flick soundtrack, clangs of noise escalating with a woman's over dramatized orgasm. The project then moves into flange territory, rhythmic noise congealing into thick, gritty pulses. This material definitely resides on the harsher end of the noise spectrum, "Face Me" staring the listener down behind a mask of heavy static and the aptly titled "Anger" and "Hate" giving some insight into the emotions that inspire such sharp audio lacerations.

A really low, bassy grumble marks the transition into Radial's portion of the disc. A prolific amount of output has already piled up behind this artist (albeit in extremely limited editions), and he was recently picked up by Triumvirate to release his upcoming debut full-length CD. These compositions are quite restrained, with relaxed tempos that replace the usual hyperactive rhythmic assaults of harsh, distorted percussion. Radial works with cold, clinical beats, demented samples of electronic decay and a dose of fuzz, with attention paid to the small details. Noises build up and fall away, amass and regress. There is variety within the tracks, and the slow pace contributes to a hypnotic quality.

The Hymns of Silence, Leads to Destruction CD-R was limited to only 40 copies, so it's undoubtedly long out of print already. However, you can access a selection of Radial mp3s here, and read more about Signal at their website.