177 Giraud's Mirror (Hexagonic Flexi-Disc)

[qualia]

phpBB [media]

Vol.4 - P. Primers - 177 Giraud's Mirror
Ascension recorded at the MWCYF Conference, 28 August 1983
© MBI 1983
45 rpm Hexi Disc
music70

Maybe the most intriguing thing out of all of Inferno, IMO. Seems to contain some original music, some sampled music, some rustling sounds, and an applause sound effect. Note the credit to Music70 rather than Warp.

The sampled music sounds like something like "to your brother," but I can't make out anything more.

Of course, mentioned in the promo VHS, transcriptions of which are here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15965 My best attempt at the transcription:

Beckon forth new light, with the monthly magazine for seekers everywhere. This piece will arrive with an exclusive hexagonic flexi-disc, carrying voices into your speaker [to guide the heart/that strike the heart/hawk]. Subscribe now. Every month [find a/fiber] [brings in] [with a limited/and unlimited] [signal]. Bound to each cover, the [improved on] Hexi-Disc. Six sided, flexible carrying two [fiber] trigger recordings from the MBI institute. Hear the pattern[s], [follow the shapes]. This March, supply is low. […unintelligible…] reflections and stories of light. And with your first video, you'll receive the exclusive flexi-hexi-disc. A hexagon of sound filled with voices and music keeping you on the path. Subscribe today, discover the new monthly purity. [Each video] brings insights, devotion, and a unique hexa-disc of voices and music to guide your path. The guide to the light that calls us. Music and spoken word [make] the way clear. The first disc is free. From the first light, to the last word, the message is clear. Each month: Devotion, revelation and the exclusive hexagon flexi-disc. All for only $2.95. Call now.

Probably also related to the intro to the listening sessions:

Welcome to the MBI Institute. You have been selected to participate in our ongoing Mass Behavioral Initiative. The waiver you have signed confirms your understanding of the process and any potential side effects. During the session, you will hear specially designed audio triggers, what we call hex recordings.

[Altruizine]

Some of my earlier speculation:

Anyone want to decipher what this is? P. Primers = psychological primers? Possibly related to the "audio trigger" experiment that was talked about during the voiceover intro to the Inferno sessions. MBI institute = Moody Bible Institute. MWCYF = M*** W*** Christian Youth Foundation? Brainwashing the youth...

Antoine Giraud seems like a good match for Giraud. An obscure fringe theorist who believed that art and science happen not through conscious intentions but automatic subconscious processes. Supporting rigid determinism, quoted as accepting various occult phenomena. Considered feelings of "inoxication and dissocation" during creative activity to be proof of his theory. Apparently seen as pseudoscience and too ”mystically inclined” by peers. It’s exactly something the Moody Bible Institute would embrace as a part of some psychological priming protocol

Therefore Giraud’s mirror = some kind self-reflective pathway to connect with the predetermined subconscious processes and allowing them to take over

It’s called the ”ascension”. Fits in with the cult mentality that God has determined how everything unfolds and it’s essentially God’s will and "divine inspiration" taking over when they get primed.

I wonder if this conference is something that literally (could’ve) happened

Does 177 signify the catalog number? There are at least 4 volumes and volume 4 has at least 177 tracks? That would be quite a lot. Giraud is just one of the experiments among other methodologies being tested? Could it be frequency instead?

[Altruizine]

The publication seems super obscure though... but maybe that's Boards of Canada for you? In the 1940s "mystically-inclined biologists were particularly addicted to it" apparently

[Altruizine]

Welcome to the MBI Institute. You have been selected to participate in our ongoing Mass Behavioral Initiative

Ooh they said this? Is it not Moody Bible Institute at all then? The sales pitch is still religious but kind of vaguely so.

[sowhereareyouliving?]

5 years behind _Lizzo_ on the olde flexi-disc idea eh? https://www.discogs.com/release/1985319 ... -B-Rumors-

[747Music]

So my father has a book titled The Metis in the Canadian West by Marcel Giraud. It is about the history of the Metis people. When French settlers came to canada, they had children with the native people. These French/Native offspring are known as the Metis. (pronounced may-tee)

Page 177 of this book marks the beginning of a chapter entitled: "The Civilizing Role of the Church"

I quote from the end of the first paragraph: "...and in spreading among the nomads the basic notion of Christianity, it was able partly to neutralize the effects of their way of life and of their association with the native people."

It goes on to talk about the "civilizing process" the church forced upon the people. You likely already know of the absolute atrocities performed by the church to destroy their way of life through crimes like forceably abducting native children from families, abusing them, killing them, and more. Canada now has Truth and Reconciliation day to honor and remember these ones every September 30th. You can read info on this day here.

I think this is BoC pointing another finger at the churches for their horror show that is Inferno. The church provides the horror, BoC is just putting it on display.

Marcel Giraud's book is the mirror. Perhaps BoC wants people to peer into it and take a look at themselves and what they are potentially supporting.

You can find the book by Marcel Giraud here: https://archive.org/details/uap_9781772121377/page/177/mode/2up

[747Music]

I'd like to point out the obvious irony and brutal insanity that is being put on display: Isn't this a beautiful and lovely song about brotherhood, love, and Jesus? Now excuse me a moment while I abduct, brainwash, and kill children.

THAT WAS A REALITY! THAT HAPPENED!
INSANE!

I'd also like to point out that the last one of these 'residential schools' closed in 1996!
I've had the privilege of knowing people who have attended these schools and even a few who were abducted from their families as children to be taken to these schools. They had terrible stories to tell. What an awful thing to do to fellow humans, and to such a beautiful culture of people.

Last edited by 747Music on Thu May 28, 2026 7:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Altruizine]

Nice! That’s not even a bad take. Is this the ARG?

What about the blue flower? Don’t tell me that’s a Twin Peaks reference

[Negamuse]

Oh now that seems like a solid theory. Interesting.

I still wonder if this is one of those things like you know in the interview that time when they gave a bunch of non existent favourite albums. Well this wasn't one of them but it's a similar style of name.

I wonder if this is an in joke made real. Well not a joke, more like a jokeoid, it has a punchline but it's horrific

[747Music]

Nice! That’s not even a bad take. Is this the ARG?

What about the blue flower? Don’t tell me that’s a Twin Peaks reference

I don't think it's an ARG. I think it's just a part of the art. Can't really state the reference and meaning behind it in the song. So, they write it elsewhere to peak peoples interest to dig deeper.

The flower looks like a rose. Since it is blue, I noticed wikipedia has this to say: "Blue roses are often used to symbolize mystery or the unattainable, since they do not exist in nature because of genetic limitations."

Perhaps trying to force something unattainable is a theme that marries the visual with the subject material.


EDIT:
I also noticed this statement: "Some cultures go so far as to say that the holder of a blue rose will have his wishes granted."

interesting.

[Altruizine]

Nice! That’s not even a bad take. Is this the ARG?

What about the blue flower? Don’t tell me that’s a Twin Peaks reference

I don't think it's an ARG. I think it's just a part of the art. Can't really state the reference and meaning behind it in the song. So, they write it elsewhere to peak peoples interest to dig deeper.

The flower looks like a rose. Since it is blue, I noticed wikipedia has this to say: "Blue roses are often used to symbolize mystery or the unattainable, since they do not exist in nature because of genetic limitations."

Perhaps trying to force something unattainable is a theme that marries the visual with the subject material.

That’s exactly how they explain it in Twin Peaks. In the lore it’s a symbol used by the FBI to signal supernatural/paranormal activity

[747Music]

After reading some more in Giraud's book.... I really wonder if Metis blood flows in the veins of BoC. There is a good section in this chapter talking about the, and I quote: "Scottish half-breeds." And it seems The National Film Board of Canada has very much been a big help for the native community. I think they promise to ensure a certain amount of budget allocation of resources towards native culture and also just love the native culture because its awesome. That may be the kind of organization that's worthy to want to honour. The incredible, creative, spiritual nature of their music may have the mixed roots in the similarly incredible, creative, and spiritual nature of Native American and Scottish culture. Both roots feel celebrated in their catalog, What a beautiful mix we end up with,
That is entirely just speculation after a small amount of research, of course. I could easily be wrong and talking out of my arse.

[Den]

They have spoken about their interest in Native American culture. Pete Standing Alone. I like your interpretation.

[WATER_CAN-_-]

So my father has a book titled The Metis in the Canadian West by Marcel Giraud. It is about the history of the Metis people. When French settlers came to canada, they had children with the native people. These French/Native offspring are known as the Metis. (pronounced may-tee)

Page 177 of this book marks the beginning of a chapter entitled: "The Civilizing Role of the Church"

I quote from the end of the first paragraph: "...and in spreading among the nomads the basic notion of Christianity, it was able partly to neutralize the effects of their way of life and of their association with the native people."

It goes on to talk about the "civilizing process" the church forced upon the people. You likely already know of the absolute atrocities performed by the church to destroy their way of life through crimes like forceably abducting native children from families, abusing them, killing them, and more. Canada now has Truth and Reconciliation day to honor and remember these ones every September 30th. You can read info on this day here.

I think this is BoC pointing another finger at the churches for their horror show that is Inferno. The church provides the horror, BoC is just putting it on display.

Marcel Giraud's book is the mirror. Perhaps BoC wants people to peer into it and take a look at themselves and what they are potentially supporting.

You can find the book by Marcel Giraud here: https://archive.org/details/uap_9781772121377/page/177/mode/2up

phpBB [media]

[Altruizine]

I like 747's theory because it explains the "177" perfectly and seems like an easter egg the brothers would expect someone to pick up on eventually.

The blue rose might just represent how something morbid is camouflaged as something beautiful with the themes of "ascension", "salvation" and such

[luh]

Is the Flexi-disc with every limited edition red vinyl?

I got one.

[747Music]

Perhaps the 'mirror' is much more personal. Perhaps it's a mirror when Mike reads it as if peering at the reflection of his own heritage.
Perhaps this album is a very personal response to Mike's treatment by the church. And the poor treatment received by many from the church. They can all just burn in their own Inferno.

I have some pretty big theories after doing a bunch of reading and dot connecting, but they involve their personal lives which really isn't our business; and they are still only theories. Doesn't feel right to open them for debate. Should stick to talking about the incredible music and art. We certainly got plenty to talk about.

[Buckie High]

Arguably sounds even more interesting when played at 33 rpm.

[zmo]

Arguably sounds even more interesting when played at 33 rpm.

This! I accidentally played this on 33 rpm, which sounded more interesting.

[2020k]

This piece is brilliant and needs to be bumped up to page 1.