View source for Power electronics (music genre)

{{Short description|Music genre}}
{{Infobox music genre
| name              = Power electronics
| stylistic_origins = * [[Industrial music|Industrial]]
* [[noise music|noise]]
| cultural_origins  = Late 1970s to early 1980s, [[United Kingdom]]
| instruments       = {{hlist|[[Synthesizer]]|[[audio feedback]]}}
| derivatives       =
| subgenrelist      =
| fusiongenres      = Death industrial
| regional_scenes   =
| other_topics      =
}}
'''Power electronics''' is a style of [[noise music]] that typically consists of static, screeching waves of feedback, analogue synthesizers making sub-bass pulses or high frequency squealing sounds, with sometimes screamed and distorted vocals. The genre is noted for its influence from [[industrial music|industrial]].
Power electronics is generally [[Atonality|atonal]], like most noise music; it also features a lack of conventional melodies or rhythms. To match its sonic excess, power electronics relies heavily upon extreme thematic and visual content: whether in [[lyrics]], album art, or live performance actions. It is a genre that often invites strong reactions from both listeners and critics, if not dismissed or ignored altogether.<ref>''Fight Your Own War: Power Electronics and Noise Culture'', Jennifer Wallis (Editor), Headpress Books, 2016, pp. 4-5</ref> Power electronics is related to the early [[Industrial Records]] scene but later became more aligned with [[noise music]].<ref name="whitehouseamg">Whitehouse, Allmusic bio. [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p21413/biography|pure_url=yes}}] Access date: March 15, 2009.</ref>
==Etymology and background==
The name of the genre was coined by William Bennett of [[Whitehouse (band)|Whitehouse]] as part of the sleeve notes to their 1982 album ''[[Psychopathia Sexualis (album)|Psychopathia Sexualis]].'' ''[[Tellus Audio Cassette Magazine]]'' produced a compilation [[compact cassette]] tape called ''Power Electronics'' in 1986 that was curated by [[Joseph Nechvatal]].<ref>[http://www.ubu.com/sound/tellus_13.html] Tellus #13 – Power Electronics (1986)</ref>
==Death industrial==
{{not to be confused|Industrial metal#Industrial thrash and death metal}}
Death industrial is an [[industrial music|industrial]] subgenre typified by a dense atmosphere, low-end drones, harsh loops and screamed and/or distorted vocals. It can be differentiated from power electronics by a slower, more atmospheric and less abrasive sound reminiscent of [[dark ambient]]. Acts described as death industrial include [[Brighter Death Now]],  [[Atrax Morgue]], [[Genocide Organ]].
==See also==
* [[Electroacoustic improvisation]]
* [[Experimental music]]
* [[Sonology]]
==References==
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[[Category:1982 neologisms]]
[[Category:20th-century music genres]]
[[Category:Extended techniques]]
[[Category:Industrial music]]
[[Category:Noise music]]
[[Category:British styles of music]]
[[Category:Power electronics (music)| ]]
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