Recorded live on May 21, 1983 at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, Diamánda Galás performs her “Wild Women with Steak-Knives,” an avant-garde performance art work for vocals and live signal processing. Part of her 1981 album “The Litanies of Satan,” the piece features the operatic range and diabolic inflections of vintage Galás. With sounds that vary from hisses, to screeches, moans, hollers, spits, and stutters, all accompanied by minimal electronic manipulations and elaboration, this harrowing work is part torture and part catharsis. The work’s subtitle, “The Homicidal Love Song for Solo Scream” sets the stage for what may be to some an evocative commentary on domestic violence and for others simply unbearable noise, but regardless of one’s personal reaction, the memory of this work will always be etched deeply within the mind of any one who listens. |
