Merzbow with an Australian white ibis

Experimental Australian music institution Room40 has once again teamed with Merzbow for a new edition called StereoAkuma, with all proceeds from sales going to WIRES – a charity working to help and protect the wildlife affected by the devastating wildfires.

The Japanese noise pioneer spent some time in Australia last June-July as part of Room40’s Open Frame festival, giving multiple performances in Sydney and Melbourne. Recordings from those ear-shattering shows will make up StereoAkuma.

A vegan and known wildlife lover, Merzbow spent much of his downtime between the shows exploring Australian forests and enjoying the country’s wildlife. He has obviously been devastated by the news and images of the blazes that have claimed enormous swathes of the country’s land, damaging environments for uncountable species of flora and fauna.

StereoAkuma comes out on February 28, and can be pre-ordered here. As a gesture of compassion, all his earnings from the sale of the new edition will go to WIRES, with Room40 matching the amount.

Merzbow will return to Australia for more performances at the end of February, including a special show with Boris.