Industrial Records Video

Background
Industrial Records Video was the multimedia offshoot of the record label Industrial Records, formed in 1976 by Throbbing Gristle, a British musical and performance art group who were pioneers of the industrial music genre.

(February 16, 1980)
Visuals: On a black background, we see the Industrial Records logo, a grungy, black and white still photo of what looks like a chimney or some sort of obelisk (previously thought to be the chimney at Auschwitz, now revealed to be the former Bankside Power Station in London, now the Tate Modern art museum). After approximately 10 seconds, the logo slowly moves to the right side, growing smaller as it does. It stops, and after a few seconds, the words "Industrial Records Video" wipe on from right to left (with a grainy, coarse effect) to the left of the Industrial logo. The grey background of the Industrial logo turns red a couple of seconds after the text is formed. A red rectangle appears from the center of the Industrial logo and wipes itself across the screen in both directions. The logo of Throbbing Gristle, a white stylized lightning bolt with a drop shadow, fades in from the center of the screen and grows in size, nearly taking up the entire height of the screen. The end result resembles the cover of the 1979 Fetish Records reissue of Throbbing Gristle's 1977 debut album, The Second Annual Report.

Technique: Simple zooming and fading effects and 2D computer animation.

Audio: Starts with a recording of intense, swirling wind (or synthesized noise which resembles wind) which goes on for around 30 seconds. As the Industrial logo turns red it fades into a harsh synthesized drone. As the lightning bolt logo zooms into view, we hear three rising synthesizer notes, which are echoed as the drone slowly fades out.

Availability: Can be found on the UK Throbbing Gristle VHS "Recording Heathen Earth", which can also be seen on Dailymotion.

Legacy: This logo is infamous for its dark and rather creepy nature, but is also a favorite of Throbbing Gristle fans.