12/5/08

• Nerve Filter Collaborates with Caustic
Nerve Filter has collaborated on a track with noise merchants Caustic on their new album on Crunch Pod Records. The track, entitled "Formula 420" is a dubstep-flavored track and marks the first new Nerve Filter related release in quite some time.

3/15/07

• Nerve Filter Remixes Router
Nerve Filter has completed a remix for up and coming Seattle band Router. The Nerve Filter 'electrohymn' remix of Router's Ghostyhead takes the original track and twists it into a track that evolves from ambient to driving throughout its course, emphasizing the emotional depth of the vocals.

• New "Linear" Review from Gothic Beauty Magazine
Nerve Filter is an exceptional-sounding side project of industrial group Assemblage 23. The album is a solo work of Tom Shear, and forms an impressive collection of ambient-industrial works to perk the ears of the Prodigy listeners, but without the ceaseless repetition. Pieces such as "Beneath a Bed of Wet Leaves" and "Hey Daddy" have an Aphex Twin feel to them without sounding like blatant plagarism. With a unique twist of of original creativity and a healthy splash of the familiar and time-tested, this album is as musical martini for the ears.

11/08/06

• Nerve Filter Remixes Assemblage 23?
The end of March appears to be the planned release date for the new single from Assemblage 23, entitled "Binary". Among the remixes and b-sides, will be a Nerve Filter remix of the title track.

• Review from Regen Magazine by Nate Rand
Linear is an invigorating, darkly hypnotic, and beautifully produced tapestry of sound that stands as one of the more enjoyable albums of the year.
Nerve Filter, a side project of Tom Shear from Assemblage 23, does not exactly reinvent the wheel, but with Linear he has managed to craft a very effective and engaging record that deserves your attention. The fine collection of tracks included here showcases a great talent for arrangement, layering, and dynamic composition. Linear also features a remarkable consistency of tone, execution, and purpose. This album was designed to disturb and entice, and it succeeds admirably on both counts by encompassing the listener in a dark, moody atmosphere, and driving the experience with pure kinetic energy. Special mention must also be made of the superb production quality; Linear is simply a great sounding record, labyrinthine in its use of multiple layers, samples, and filters, yet clarity is never sacrificed. Nerve Filter also succeeds at being able to break out of its own patterns. The sense of "sameness" that plagues many similar albums is not present here, thanks to the use of myriad beat structures and great pacing.

There are many standout tracks on Linear, chief among them being "Hey Daddy," which slinks along in a deliberate, sinuous rhythm while making great subversive use of a sample from fallen right wing icon Rush Limbaugh. "Slow Motion Shadow" is another total winner, blacker than a shot of high-test espresso spiked with powerful hallucinogens, and damn near perfect in its evocation of mechanical madness. "Beneath a Blanket of Wet Leaves" offers the listener a contemplative respite before Nerve Filter cranks up the tempo on the appropriately spastic "Tweaker." Linear ends on a quieter note with "Sun Rise," which offers a beautiful vista of hopeful sound to balance out the darkness that pervades the rest of the album. Taken in its entirety, Linear is one of the more memorable albums released this year and can be taken as ample evidence that there are still people out there releasing quality records that do not rely on the same old EBM clichés.

6/28/06

• Review from Virus! Magazine by Vlad McNeally
Despite an inception date back in 1995, "Linear" is the first full-length release by Nerve Filter. Stranger still, this secondary project by Assemblage 23's Tom Shear actually produced published material before anyone had even heard of A23. While this dark techno band was soon shelved and forgotten by many in the wake of Shear's successful venture into the realm of futurepop, he thankfully reopened the 'Filter moniker and delivered this treat of a disc.
First of all, this is not a clone of Assemblage 23; this disc is entriely instrumental in nature, and while the compositions are electronic and quite dance-friendly, it is far more experimental and IDM in structure than his more consumer-friendly output.
Also, even though Nerve Filter has been around for more than a decade, all but one of the tracks hasn't been exhumed from Shear's archives. This is 95% fresh material, without an inkling that this project is just a dusty footnote for A23 fanatics.
"Stealth" enters true to its name; reverberating notes are plucked like strings, their sound ringing off distant walls while a whirligig synth patrols overhead. Soon, an industrial-grade bass drum pounces into its silent expanse, stapling into the song a heavy break-beat while flanged comets flutter upwards in response to this sudden turbulence.
"Auto.Mat" ensnares a bit of science-fiction atmosphere with its brassy echoing synths and porcelain shimmers, with a dialogue sample sharing the futurist sentiment. Thick, plastic bass thumps alongside a flat puff of snare and bursts of flatulent fuzz, it is the fuel that propels this piece along chrome synth rails.
Perhaps the harshest construction housed within "Linear", "Tweaker" is a break beat beast. Bass drops and disperses and snares flutter and jabber tersely. A garbled, disaffected vocal snippet mutters unintelligibly, while metallic pads and static hisses offer the whole a factory floor industrial tint. Eventually, piano and arctic synths creep in, attempting to calm this chaotic tangle, but the song remains unstirred from its aggression and concludes in a fury of percussive zeal.
Other moments within "Linear" refrain from intense drum arrangements, instead catering to pastel moods and ambient trance. A cerulean haze of sound, "Sea.Lab" is a gentle swirling pool of shimmering sound waves, where translucent shades of piano cast their gossamer silhouettes on calm winds, harp-accented highlight, and flanged snare rattles. A bit of militance arises near its core due to some dramatic cymbal strikes, but soon the song drifts back into a relaxing void, albeit spurred gingerly on by the fractured rumble of break-beat drums.
The sole older piece, "Beneath.a.Bed.of.Wet.Leaves", has aged gracefully. Fuzzy machine blips percolate and chatter, yet a pensive piano refrain backed by the gentle ambience of an autumn rain dominate this piece. While toy horn squeaks and the rattle of awkward tin rhythms attempt to brighten the setting, string sighs and shimmering synth drips bolster its overall atmosphere quite well.
Personally, I was taken aback by Shear's programming prowess with "Linear". A23 has a penchant for dishing out powerful and emotional electro-industrial pop, and while I was initially skeptical concerning the fact that Nerve Filter was entirely instrumental, the compositions proved to be intricate and explosive.
Fans of the more accessible ends of the IDM/break-beat spectrum may find "Linear" to be a fun release. Nerve Filter isn't prudish about delving into dance frequencies while cruising along its complex techno course, and Shear's song weaving here proves he has more than one solid voice as a musician.

5/12/06

• "Linear" Now Available on iTunes
It took awhile to get there, but Nerve Filter's debut album "Linear" is now available on iTunes in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Japan.

• Review from Chain DLK by Marc Tater
This is the experimental side project of Tom Shear AKA ASSEMBLAGE 23 – yes, I said experimental, so don’t expect ANYTHING which could somehow compared with Tom’s main and very successful project. No Synth- or Futurepop anthems available here, but that does of course not mean that this debut of his already 11 years active side-project can’t offer anything interesting. If you look back on some more or less known compilations you might find here and there some remix works he did under this NERVE FILTER moniker – a remix for CONVERTER’s track “Be Broken” for example can be found on the compilation “Proven in Action” released by the small Swedish label First Aid Recordings leaded by my special comrade Anders Karlsson (www.thepainmachinery.com). So this side-project was through the years well hidden in the big and successful shadow of ASSEMBLAGE 23. Thanks to the fact that this side-project totally differs, makes it also so quite impressive. It is a fantastic journey through very diverse styles of electronic based music, it is only seldom that the tracks are that straight arranged, like my both favorites here, “Option.One” and “Auto.Mat”, which do fall under the Electro genre. Further styles are present here with D’n’B, IDM, Techno – yeah, and some Trance elements as well. The songs are filled with almost dark inspired Synth layers, a very effective ingredient, which keeps the whole interesting and filled with complexity. What noone expected comes finally true after the listen of this album: Tom Shear is a well talented electronic musician, who has much more to offer than the known paths of ASSEMBLAGE 23. That several reviewers out of the scene (... no names here...) aren’t able to pick up this content and wrote some stupidity isn’t acceptable. This is a great example to explain the sense of a side-project, thumbs up, Tom!

4/28/06

• "Linear" Released in Europe
Nerve Filter's debut album "Linear" was released in Europe last week on Accession Records. Go buy it!

• Another Review

From Gothtronic by Nosferius

Nerve Filter is a side project by Tom Shear, who is better known for his Assemblage 23 project. This project is just like Assemblage 23 a solo project, but in a totally different style. My best guess would be that this is something related to drum & bass and jungle with elements of lounge.
This music is produced entirely without vocals which surprised me because it is one of those things that is characteristic about Tom Shear' Assemblage 23. But on the other hand it just might be that he wanted to do things differently with this music project and to break away from the usual. Well if this was his aim he certainly succeeded with this CD.
The music is quite danceable and very diverse in itself, the tracks are produced with a lot of ambience and arrangements. This makes it listenable also and does give me a good impression on the extent of Tom's musical abilities.
The first track on this CD is a very likeable one, it keeps on getting your attention and is highly melodic. With the second track it is all a bit more laid back, and a very funny sample saying that George Bush has smoked marihuana makes it likeable also but I do think the former song to be far better. The next song also demonstrates the fact that the more up tempo songs are Tom's best quality in music, the sounds here also demonstrate his ear for catchy and basically good sounds and tunes. The break in this third song sets a rather eerie feeling, more so than I am used to with this kind of music, but I like it.
Without getting too much into details of every song I can honestly say that this CD is nice and something unexpected coming from a man known mainly for his other project. This surprise has earned him a renewed level of respect. This CD is both danceable as it is relaxing to listen to, it is made to fit all kinds of moods, which is quite the achievement. It is also very diverse and well produced. For all the Assemblage 23/Tom Shear fans out there this is a nice CD to check out and to discover on the other sides of Tom, but it is also a CD for people that like the genres this has been made for. As far as I can tell it would also make do for the dance floors in those genres. So in that respect: Well done Tom! [7.6/10]

4/13/06

• European Release for "Linear" Next Week
The debut album from Assemblage 23 side-project Nerve Filter, will be out next week on Accession Records. The album has already been released in the U.S. on 23db Records. The album is available for purchase directly from the Assemblage 23 webstore.

• Nerve Filter Remix of Converter Re-Released
The rare Nerve Filter remix of Converter's "Be Broken", originally released on the First Aid Records compilation "Proven in Action", has been released on yet another compilation. The new "Pandora's Box - Invasion & Friends 2k6" compilation features the Nerve Filter remix among tracks by the likes of Dive, Synapscape, P.A.L. and others.

• Some Reviews of "Linear"

From "Subculture Magazine" by Rendaw Baxter:
It doesn't take a prior fan of Tom Shear to appreciate NERVE FILTER, that's for sure. However, when receiving notice of its creator, many will hardly be surprised. Nerve Filter demonstrates all of the talent Tom Shear has shown previously, and then some. Unbound by the constraints of categorization and history, the album is free to do what it pleases. The result, "Linear", is something far beyond expectations, and about as nonlinear as it gets. Upon first hearing this album, it is hard to tell exactly what it is. Simply put, it appears to be a combination, a hybrid, of industrial and intelligent dance music. The result of such experimentation is quite a beast. All of the songs are at home in this album, as none seem awkward or out of place. This natural habitat accommodates the extremely varying sounds, such as huge differences in tempo and texture. As one may expect from the IDM influence, there are sliced, repeated, and re-sliced beats in many of the songs. Composition is a little more abstract than most lyric-aided songs, and it follows a quite easily lost. From the industrial side comes the distorted, loud, crunching collection of drums. Colors of drum n' bass and even hardcore can be seen scattered across its body as well. But "Linear" is much more than that. For example, it takes trademark Tom Shear sounds, such as the piano. It is hard to appropriately emphasize how well the piano is used throughout the album. The electric piano is beautiful in its forthright simplicity in "beneath.a.bed.of.wet.leaves". In "sea.lab", the piano makes an aquatic appearance, best characterized by its muted tones and floating quality. And, while it is not completely assured, it is quite possible that the distorted and detuned instrument late in "option.one" is a piano. However, diverging from this standard of excellence, several other instruments are employed, greatly complimenting the ability of the synthesizers. IDM is one of the harder genres in which to do this, as the inherently organic qualities in analog instruments contradict its machine-like erraticism. Two distinct examples are bells and strings, but there's also what sounds like a hammered item in "stealth"; although, if the smoothly and beautifully crafted synthesizers are any indication, this could simply be yet another exquisite digital fabrication. Whether or not this is true, however, it works extremely well. All of these instruments, synthesized or not, contribute to the magical, illusory world that this album embodies. Other artists and albums use pads, undulating filters, frequency modulated bells, and eerie percussion. The skill and emotion that Nerve Filter incorporates within these instruments is breathtaking, however, and largely unmatched. One could say, perfectly confident, that if another artist were to take "sun.rise", or "hey.daddy", and recreate it with his or her own ability, it wouldn't be nearly as good. Each note and each sound contributes to the overarching concept, and, because of this, the album is able to remain unified despite the rampant experimentation. "Linear", as a final product, spans a majestic breathtaking world, and allows the listener just a glance at all it has to offer. Whether it is the smoothly ethereal and dark "slow.motion.shadow" or "machine.lab" or the futuristic and phenomenal "auto.mat" that appeals to one's taste, this album leaves no room for dislike. It may not be extremely danceable, but what does that matter? Anyone who hears the sweet tones wouldn't be able to dance - aural bliss has a way of making legs weak and unstable. Variation and creativity mean that the album's content remains fresh through however many plays, and perfect production creates an untiring experience. "Linear" is not only highly desirable, it is a necessity.

From elektrauma.de

Orginal German:
Bevor Assemblage 23 Mastermind Tom Shear sein Projekt startete, experimentierte er unter dem Namen Nerve Filter mit verschiedenen elektronischen Sounds. Nachdem aber A 23 den größeren Erfolg brachte, lagen die Tracks auf Eis. Doch jetzt wurden sie endlich auf eine CD gepresst und der Öffentlichkeit präsentiert. Und man ist schon erstaunt, zu welchen musikalischen Höchstleistungen er Amerikaner fähig ist. Auf „Linear“ sind elektronische Instrumentals zu hören, die sich durch ihre Vielschichtigkeit und Genremixturen auszeichnet. Bei Stücken wie „Option One“ merkt man schon die Vorliebe für eher düstere Klangbilder, aber das ist eben nur eine Seite. „Sea Lab“ ist der beste Beleg, dass der Musiker sich auch mit den eher ruhigen Melodien aus dem Ambientbereich auskennt und diese geschickt einzusetzen weiß. Die Tracks zeichnen sich auch durch bewussten Verzicht auf Vierviertel Beats aus. Breakbeats und diffizile Drumprogrammings verleihen den Songs eine noch stärkere Tiefe. Mit dem sehr sphärischen „Sun Rise“ endet „Linear“ und hinterlässt einen bleibenden Eindruck. Tom Shear hat bewiesen, dass er ein echter Vollblutelektroniker ist.

Rough English Translation from Babelfish:
In English:
NERVE FILTER - LINEAR Before Assemblage started 23 Mastermind Tom Shear its project, he experimented under the name nerve filter with different electronic sounds. After however A brought larger success to 23, the TRACKS lay on ice it on CD were finally pressed nevertheless now and presents the public. And one is already surprised, of which musical maximum output he is capable of Americans. On "linear" electronic Instrumentals is to be heard, which is characterised by its multilayeredness and category mixtures. With pieces like "option One" one already notices the preference for rather dark klangbilder, but that is evenly only one side. "Sea lab" is the best voucher that the musician is been versed also with the rather calm melodies from the Ambientbereich and known these skillfully to use. The TRACKS are characterised also by conscious renouncement of four-quarters Beats. Breakbeats and difficult Drumprogrammings lend a still stronger depth to the Songs. With the very spherical "Sun Rise" ends to "linear" and leaves a lasting impression. Tom Shear proved that he is a genuine full blood electronics engineer. 5 out of 6

From Neurozine:
Original Swedish:
Tom Shear, känns namnet bekant? Tom Shear är mest känd som Assemblage 23. Men nu pratar vi Nerve.Filter. Nerve.Filter är ett projekt som har legat och grott i ungefär 10 år. Varför tog det så lång tid? Enkelt svar, Assemblage 23 blev väldigt populärt och tog därför mycket tid. Nerve.Filter skiljer sig dock rätt mycket från Assemblage 23 då tyngden ligger mer på drum'n'base, ambient och techno än mer klassisk EBM. Men vad tycker jag om skivan då? Det är en jämn skiva, det är inget svårt experimenterande som gör att man blir trött i öronen utan snarare är det ett bra tempo som ökar och minskar i lagom doser. Öppningsspåret 'Stealth' är riktigt bra och jag kan inte direkt påstå att jag blir besviken på resten heller. Nerve.Filter förtjänar lite uppmärksamhet för den nyfikne och jag kan rekommendera 'Linear' som skiva. Bästa spåret på skivan är helt klart 'Sun.Rise' och antagligen den låt jag kommer lyssna mest på i framtiden.

English Translation (Thanks, Pelle!):Tom Shear, does the name feel familiar? Tom Shear is most famous for Assemblage 23. But now we are talking about Nerve Filter. Nerve Filter is a project that has been growing for about 10 years. What did it take so long? Simple answer, Assemblage 23 became very popular and required alot of time. Nerve Filter differs alot from Assemblage 23 since the weight lies more on drum'n'base, ambient and techno more than classic EBM.
But what do I think about the album? It's an "even" album, it contains no ear-challenging experimentation that makes your ears tired, but rather has a formidable tempo that increases and decreases sufficiently. The opening track 'Stealth' is really good and I can't say that I am dissapointed by the rest either. Nerve Filter deserves attention from the curious one and I can recomend 'Linear' as an album. The best track is with out a doubt 'Sun.Rise' and it is probably the track I will be listening to the most in the future.

2/24/06

• European Release Date for "Linear"
The debut album from Assemblage 23 side-project Nerve Filter will be released by Accession Records on April 21st. The U.S. release date on 23db Records will be February 28th. Pre-orders for the U.S. version are available here. There is no difference between the U.S. and European editions.

• Latest Nerve Filter Release Parties

• Madison, WI - Sunday, March 5
@ Inferno Nightclub
1718 Commercial Ave, Madison WI
Doors @ 9 PM, 21+
www.clubinferno.com

• Nashville, TN - Sunday, March 5
+SALVATION+ @ NV Niteclub
131 2nd Avenue North
Nashville, TN
9pm - 3am, 18+ / 21 to drink.
 
More info @:
http://www.myspace.com/salvationnv


• Seattle, WA - Friday, March 10th.
Pre-party meet & greet at Barça, 1510 11th Avenue in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. 6 PM-9 PM, 21+.
Release party at The Mercury, 1009 E. Union Lower, 9 PM-?, 21+. Tom will be in attendence at both the pre-party and the release party, so drop by, have a beer with Shear, hear tracks from the new album, get stuff signed, and pick up a copy of the album for the special one night only price of $10. Please note that the Mercury is a private club, so if you don't have a membership, make sure to show up at the pre-party at Barça so someone can guest you in.

• Tucson, AZ - Saturday, March 11. Date change: Saturday, March 18th
@ Asylum Nightclub
121 E. Congress
Tucson, AZ, 21+

• Talahassee, FL - Tuesday, March 14th.
@ Nemesis in Club Jade
2122 W. Pensacola St.
Club website http://www.jadenightclub.com
Nemesis/Kult ov Bela website: http://www.kultovbela.tk
Cover $3 for all, Doors at 10 p.m., 18+

• Philadelphia, PA - Friday, March 31st
As part of Miss Catwalk Tragedy 2006
at the Trocadero  in Philadelphia
1003 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA
$10 cover, 9pm - 2am, all ages
For more info:
http://www.intrepidJAM.com
http://www.catwalktragedy.com

2/18/06
• Nerve Filter Release Parties Announced
The first couple of Nerve Filter release parties have been announced. More to come:

2/9/06
• "Linear" Now Available for Pre-order
Nerve Filter's debut album, "Linear" will hit the streets in the U.S. on February 28th (European release to be announced), but you can pre-order your copy now. Pre-orders will take priority in the shipping process and will most likely be shipped before the official release date. Also, the first 100 copies will be signed by the artist. Just click the "Buy" link to your left to place your order

2/7/06

• "Linear" Preview Snippets Online!
1-minute MP3 clips of the upcoming Nerve Filter album "Linear" are now online. Just click the "Hear" link to your left and enjoy! The release date for the album will be announced in the coming days, at which time, pre-orders will be taken. It is hoped that the album's US release will be in 2 weeks or so.


1/20/06

• "Linear" is Complete!
I am happy to announce that the debut album from A23 side project Nerve Filter has been completed and sent of for mastering. Expect preview clips in a couple weeks.

• "Linear" to see European Release
Nerve Filter's "Linear" will be released in the United States via the 23db label. Now it can be announced that European release has been secured with Accession Records in Germany. Release dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

1/15/06

• Official Nerve Filter Website Launches
Welcome to the official website for the Assemblage 23 side-project Nerve Filter. Things are a bit sparse here at the moment, but much like the A23 website, it will grow as the project does. Enjoy your stay!

• Nerve Filter's Debut Album Almost Complete "Linear", the debut release from the Assemblage 23 instrumental side-project Nerve Filter is nearing completion and should be ready for mastering shortly. The 10-track album will be released on 23db Records, Assemblage 23's personal label in the United States. The band is in discussions with a label about possible European release, although as of right now, nothing has been decided for sure. Nerve Filter's sound is difficult to categorize, as it embraces a wide variety of stylistic influences including techno, dub, drum n' bass, IDM, detroit electro, acid, ambient, and many others. Song samples will be available after mastering has occurred, so be sure to come back to check them out! Nerve Filter "Linear" (23db Records) 01.) stealth 02.) hey.daddy 03.) option.one 04.) sea.lab 05.) slow.motion.shadow 06.) machine.language 07.) auto.mat 08.) beneath.a.bed.of.wet.leaves 09.) tweaker 10.) sun.rise