Saloon by contagious orgasm

Contagious Orgasm – Saloon (1996,)
Saloon, an unreleased work from 1996 by the Japanese experimental project Contagious Orgasm, represents a fascinating, albeit obscure, moment in the evolution of Hiroshi Hashimoto’s sonic explorations. Known for their eclectic output spanning industrial, noise, dark ambient, and sound collage, Contagious Orgasm was, by the mid-1990s, a prominent figure in the global underground music scene, collaborating with artists like Bad Sector, Atrax Morgue, and Telepherique. Saloon, described as a drone ambient piece, offers a glimpse into the band’s ability to craft immersive, atmospheric soundscapes that push the boundaries of conventional music.

In 1996, Contagious Orgasm was at a creative peak, releasing works like The Examination of Auditory Sense and Vacuum Pulse (with Bad Sector), both of which showcased their mastery of dark ambient and industrial textures. The mid-1990s were a fertile period for drone and ambient music, with artists like Thomas Köner, Lustmord, and early Zoviet France exploring minimalist, atmospheric compositions that evoked vast, often unsettling spaces. Saloon, as an unreleased drone ambient work, likely emerged from this zeitgeist, reflecting Hashimoto’s interest in creating evocative, non-linear sound environments.

The title Saloon conjures images of a liminal, perhaps nostalgic space—a Western bar or gathering place, reimagined through the lens of Contagious Orgasm’s avant-garde aesthetic. While no specific details about the piece’s inspiration exist, it’s plausible that Hashimoto used the concept of a “saloon” as a metaphorical framework to explore themes of isolation, decay, or the ghostly remnants of human interaction, common in drone ambient works of the era.
Sonic Characteristics
As a drone ambient piece, Saloon would likely prioritize texture and atmosphere over traditional musical structure. Contagious Orgasm’s 1996 output, such as The Examination of Auditory Sense, was noted for its Eno-like melancholy and ability to establish a distinct mood, suggesting that Saloon might feature:
Sustained Drones: Long, evolving tones created using analog synthesizers, processed field recordings, or manipulated samples, forming the backbone of the piece. These drones would likely oscillate between warm, resonant frequencies and colder, more abrasive timbres, reflecting the band’s industrial roots.

Subtle Textures: Layered sound fragments—perhaps distorted echoes, metallic clanks, or faint vocal murmurs—could evoke the imagined ambiance of a derelict saloon, with sounds suggesting creaking wood, distant conversations, or the hum of forgotten machinery.

Minimalist Progression: Unlike their more beat-oriented or collage-heavy works, Saloon would likely unfold slowly, with gradual shifts in tone and intensity, inviting listeners into a meditative or introspective state.

Spatial Ambiguity: Contagious Orgasm’s knack for creating “cinematic” soundscapes suggests Saloon might blur the line between interior and exterior spaces, making the listener feel both enclosed within the saloon and adrift in a vast, undefined void.

The piece’s unreleased status implies it may have been an experimental sketch or a work deemed too abstract for commercial release at the time. Given Hashimoto’s meticulous approach to sound design, Saloon could have been a personal exploration, possibly recorded on cassette or early digital formats, as was common for the band’s 1996 output.

Japanese label releasing tape and CD of experimental, abstract and
Industrial,/noise artists,