Fiend Magazine: e.p.a is Darrin Verhagen aka Shinjuku Thief, who as a sound composer has always infused a certain intelligence into his recordings. Albiet with e.p.a, Darrin has shunned the more considered & academic aspects of his trade by releasing an album (black ice) of unadulterated harsh noise. Forming the first part of the "black | mass" trilogy, this aggressive little number contains an unrelenting sonic barrage to incinerate your eardrums, & literally pound your internal organs if the listening suggestion is adhered to ("play loud - no headphones!"). Utilising layers of furious high frequency distortion & incessant feedback, the tracks present an aural aesthetic that flits between being barely controlled, through to chaotically free form. With 7 tracks at 45 minutes, this is an unforgiving sonic ride not for the faint of heart. Constituting an all out assault on the senses, the final question is: are you game enough to take this on?!

• 1 MP3 download from the black ice cd
  
• Some MP3 excerpts
  
• Official homepage