ALBUMS

SINGLES

GABBA / HARDCORE TECHNO / SPEEDCORE:

UNEXIST
DISINTEGRATOR RISING
IS049 (Industrial Strength Recordings)
A1 - DIE SCREAMING MOTHERFUCKER - Nasty drilling noises and snares bring the tune in, then a tasty distorted kick drum at slowish pace stomps in demanding you hand over your head within 10 seconds or else. Then it says "fuck it!" and just wreaks havoc anyway, bringing in lots of screeching, slightly PCP style noise. Doesn't last long, no, it chops and changes, into some droning and more distorted kicks. Some very good samples and some very eerie ones too, lots of dark rumbling voices, haha!!! 9/10
A2 - CONSPIRACY (JAPPO & LANCINHOUSE MIX) - English muffin high speed junos, big fuck off bassdrums and then some nice hard stabs. Sounds quite cheesy gabba-style on paper, but believe me it ain't!!! Er...then it goes a bit funny, using a sort of trancecore-style melody - although it is at double speed and certainly retains a good solid feel. If anyone doubts the hardness of this track - I've heard Producer play it, so nerrrrr. 9/10
B - CONSPIRACY (ORIGINAL MIX) - Fuck me, this is slow, especially after the first mix. Starts off basically just like the other one, big big drums and big big droning synths, but the drums soon get a bit meatier and there's a nice funkyish rhythm bouncing away in there too. Then it breaks down and the stabs come in, again the same as the A-Side but slower. A while later and all the sounds come together in a big slimy ball of hardcore ooze, before it gets a little crazy and speeds up...and up...and up. From there it's back into the rhythms and stabs. 8/10
Not your typical Industrial Strength record, certainly different from the likes of FUHD and UVC but it's still pretty good. It's been done by Jappo and follows the same style as most of his other releases, but still sounds different if you know what I mean. If you normally buy Industrial Strength for fucked-up speed madness listen first, but everyone else should be pretty pleased with this. (DJ ZYKOTIK)

THE HEADBANGER
Totally Frustrated
ROT072 (Rotterdam Records)
A1 - THE NIGHTMARE MAN - Ooooh, spooky, a sinister wind tunnel and then some cute little chimes before whoever this geezer is does a little speech about crime and whatnot. Naughty boy, his punishment should be never to hear this, cos it's far too fucking good for him! A big hard kickdrum goes over the top of the cutesy chimes before breaking down into a sort of droning string section. Then you can hear those screeching doomcore noises coming through, and they damage the system to maximum effect, quite simple, but VERY dangerous. Yeahhh! I hear you cry, the way it should be! There's more to come though, the kick reverses on itself and the strings become even more doomridden, much more suited to the big arenas this sort of tune is designed for. They don't get much better. 9/10 (7:46/159bpm)
A2 - THE MESSAGE - Now this is the way to do it, no hanging around, just give us a fucking hard kickdrum and let our bodies do the rest. More sinister speeches, I wonder if they'd be as menacing if you could actually hear what they were saying though? (Naturally they make sure you can hear the word Motherfucker, but then doesn't every Dutch track.) Mmm. That ain't the point, we want sound, and we get it, ahh, more screeching to carve out rude and amusing shapes in your earwax. And on it goes in the same dang ol' funky groove. 9/10 (6:14/166bpm)
B1 - ONE MORE TIME - Sounds like Jurassic Park at the beginning, a big big big drum just like a footstep. Starts off promisingly, a slow beat, swooshing noises and the occasional bleeping melody. It doesn't quite live up to expectations with the breakdown though, more droning PCP doom noises, which are good, but don't really work for me in the way they've been put together here. Never mind though, it's not too bad, and certainly more preferable than a thwack in the happy sacks. 6/10 (6:00/151bpm)
B2 - SAFE?! - All very hippyish at the start - "relax, feel completely comfortable blah blah". Makes a difference from the rest I suppose...what doesn't make a difference is the tough kick again chugging along at a slow pace. Then it breaks down, a siren on acid sounds the alert, there's some dark droning in the background and more PCPish noises. This brings the speech back again - then it's full in the face, FUCKING HARD drums, and the screeching rattling around in your head. Great eh? But that's not all, there's another breakdown, this time introducing some evil stabs just dripping with doom. These fade in and out to hold your interest and round off the track in a way only they can. Mmmhmm. 9/10 (5:53/151bpm)
Good to see Rotterdam Records back where it belongs, now consistently releasing good quality hardcore. Slower than most will be used to, bollox though, what d'you think the pitch control's for??? If doomcore is your thing, then this record is your thing. Simple as that! (DJ ZYKOTIK)

DELTA 9
ISL10 (Industrial Strength Limited)
A1 - ANTHEM - Tribal drums to begin with, then the break down comes with some nice droning mashed-up synths. A good tuff kickdrum and chopped-up synths run alongside each other afterwards and give a spooky atmospheric feel. I think this is slightly ruined by the bit where it's just stabs, it sounds a bit too standard, especially for Delta 9. 7/10
A2 - SPEAKER WORSHIP - Ahhh, very good start, pounding kicks at a medium pace and a good arrangement of some fucked-up noise. PCPish noises are put through a mincer and churned into an unrecognisable mess, and its not long before everything is running along smoothly in one big orgy of noise. 8/10
B1 - REAL HARDCORE '98 - A friendly little intro and then we're back to nice old Delta 9 style, fast thudding kicks and the old "Send Me To Hell" sample before we enter a very very nice messed-up guitar session which bashes your head in without even asking if it can first. Nothing like a tune with attitude...especially when the noises just become more and more distorted into screeching. Lovely. 10/10
B2 - DUSTED - Er...noise. Lots of it. And that's all. No drums, no beats, nothing, just lots and lots (and lots) of noise. Mmm, not my sort of thing but it might be alright to start a set off with. Could this vinyl have been put to better use though? 4/10
It's quite good, but for Delta 9 you expect a little bit more and it doesn't really arrive here apart from Real Hardcore '98 which is a fucking outstanding tune. Delta 9 regulars may be slightly disappointed, but those of new to hardcore should like this, and there's plenty for every one - a new style track, a medium paced track, a good fast track, and a noisy track. Choose according to your style and play! (Dj Zykotik) (DJ ZYKOTIK)

TRAFFIK
DISTURBANCE 1 (Disturbance Records)
A1 - SCANDAL - Grinding noise and chilling samples make you suspect that it's gonna be a headfuck tune, but instead it makes a nasty short d&b number, all the usual stuff like chopped breaks and moody basslines, and some doomcore-style sounds chucked in too. Nice and aggressive, shame it's only a couple of minutes long. 9/10
A2 - NOIZE POLLUTION - Ahh, knew it wouldn't be long till a kickdrum turns up. It's a fucking evil one too, all distorted and screaming for blood. Some good solid noize in this one, that seems to pour out of the speakers and jump up and down your bed before pissing on your nicely folded pyjamas. Little cunt. 8/10
A3 - STORM - Ahh, the Amiga - the best distortion in the world...probably. It's a slow track, but it's still hard as fook, as the drums fade in and out and then the doom-laden distorted stabs pass over your face, taking your skin with them as they go. Mucho percussiono as well, which adds an extra element of madness. More droning sounds enter the fray and away it goes... 8/10
B1 - NAILS (REMIX) - Mmm, not so distorted this time, well, not in terms of how the clean the sound is anyway. But not to worry, the sounds and arrangements are still fucked in the head, lots of choral madness, and are complemented in a very nice(?) way by a good fast drum. Good solid hardcore, something for everyone - so long as you like it fucked up, brutal and fast. 10/10
B2 - HORROR - Cape Fear again eh? It's a bit of music that's been used nuff times before, but it does sound dark and fits in well so who gives a fuck? Anyway, the tune, well it kicks off with the above, adds a distorted kick (mid-paced) and after a bit gets a big big plus in my book with the breaks added over the top - I love me breaks I do, they're all lovely and soft and pleasant to touch. And the bit where the kicks follow the same pattern as the breaks is just ooh...ah...sorry, I'll be back in a Kleenex. 9/10
Weeeel, I was quite surprised, I'm not normally one for noise and distortion myself, but I have to say this is a fucking good record, some great elements in here with the breaks, samples etc. which went down a treat with my eardrums - we're now all best of friends. Don't miss out on this chance to boost your social prowess! (DJ ZYKOTIK)

BLACK PROJECTS E.P.
area65 (Area 51 Recordings)
The latest offering from top UK label Area 51 is a rather nice 4 track EP from various members of Clarkee's gang of merry nutters!
First up his CLARKEE's own number "Interceptor" - talk about getting stuck straight in..absolutly no-nonsense Hardcore Fuckin Techno with really fucked up acid grooves over the top..no take that back acid noize over the top which complety take control - absolutly superb even the samples of some geezer talking about the weather on his radio imply this tune is mental!
Cornish D'N'B/ Hardcore merchant MASTERVIBE's first contribution comes in the form of "Sick Mutha Fucka" which explore the upper heights of BPM's I think I have heard on A51 yet. Just the sort of tune ideal to workout to down the gym (if you want a heartattack)...again an excellent tune..nice one vibemaster.
Flippin over this already glorious piece of plastic we get yet another flavour of what the UK hardcore soldiers have to offer."Woop (remix)".....ok I have to confess I have not heard the orginal (of area62) so I dont know how this bears up against the orginal but unsuprisingly I think this track is also the bee's knees (anyone notice the theme on this record?). J-TEK (aka MASTERVIBE) track gets going with with some punchy jump up breakbeats and sweeping dark synths which stay with us as the breaks are forced to give way for some proper pile drivin beats and bleep action......score is I fuckin love this track as well!
Last but not least is a CLARKEE & BLACKEYE remix collaberation on yet another Area 51 classic (I shamefully have to admit also not having heard - but never fear is on my shopping list): the "hard Hop (remix)" (from area 56). Sorted well paced kick drums faze in and out while well mad stabs and riffs go off willy nilly all over the place!
Overall an blibbibblobinblindin release from Area 51 a label which certainly does not get the recognition it deserves......buy this record on sight and if you cant see it go order a copy..now go!
8/10
(DJ SPAZTEK)

RON D'CORE
BL016 (Bastard Loud)
The next portion of hardness is served up sadly as the last release on ISR sub label BASTARD LOUD starring west Coast USA Hardcore supremo RON D' CORE.
The first number "King Louis Anal terror Anthem" - nice name!, kicks off with sppoky church bells, vocal samples and apparently random kick drums which turn into psycotic machine gun style beats leading us nicely into some brain bashin stop/start terrorcore complete with all the necasery screams and chopped speach samples.
Its not to long at all until big Ron gives us a slow breakdown to get jiggy to (go on you know you wont to!).a slow breakbeat with nice acidstabs over the top with King Louie (the big monkey geezer in Jungle Book - in case you did not know) singing about the king of the swingers and all that jizz!
Humour stop over and machines guns bring us back to gabba reality aka proper noized up speedcore which via a few more samples, effects and noizes bring us nicley to the end. Overall a better than avaerge track although nothing particularly special but big up MR CORE for bringing back a bit of swinging humour to Hardcore.
The next tune "I'll KillYou Boy" takes on a more dark approach but serves us more of the smae noize ridden speedcore which has some wicked acid bits chucked in for good measure. crazy hiphop orientated breakdown with chopped movie samples and then its painfull hard beats,fucked up noize,people screaming, sour ears and just generally complete utter mayhem all the way home.
Last but not least R.D.C. finishes his BASTARD LOUD outing off with in my opinion the best track on the record "Fuck Deep House"...... "By the fist of God, Armagedon will descend on the city of Los Angeles" booom boom boom. Lurverly introduction with slow and hard beats with start trek gun noises over the top become a fast & hard manic driven trip with groovy breakbeats and healthylumps of acid flavouring.
Overall a worthwhile 3 tracker which although may not appeal to the more purist Hardcore Technoheadz should go down well with those of you in the Noize/Speed/terror/fart core crew - muisc to make you mental..
6/10
(DJ SPAZTEK)

HAPPY HARDCORE / BOUNCY TECHNO / TRANCECORE:

BASS-X
"Horsepower" / "ChubbyRound"
BT2 (Bouncy Techno)
Scotland's number one production team (I.M.O) Scott and Stewart Brown - BASS X make a welcome return on this the second release on the new (and superior) EVOLUTION off-shoot label BOUNCY TECHNO! With the A-side "Horsepower" the Brown bros. provide us with a completely necessary up to date version of Scotland's far to long missed and more stompy sound (sing a long cheese piss off please!!). So if Hardcore on the more happy side of things which actually has some balls is your thing, read ahead!
The track starts with some good ol' bouncy claps interspersed among a simple two chord stab while some "wooh..do you feel all right?" samples builds up over the top with some magnificent acid lines doin' the business. BOOM in comes the undoubtedly Scottish Hardcore kickdrum with that extra bit of welly. The acid lines continue to build up and up as only acidlines can do while THE most infectious happy riffs I have heard scince fuck knows when introduces itself and rolls on in completely taking control...sending us off on the ultimate happy stomp. I really am not being over the top when I say this track is the best hardcore tune on the happy side of things about at the moment.
10/10 Flippin' over to the B-side things slow down and get that little bit more darker and harder (do not fear cheese brigade still well away from the realms of Gabba). the amusingly named "Chubby Round" has more of a "Scottish'94" feel to it with booming beat which fades in and out coupled to a short stab which distorts or something into s ort of weird phone ring type noise (possibly not the best description!). The weird stabs even calm down so as to treat us to some dark tripe strings.
Another quality tune (let's say 7/10) making this release damn right essential. Good to see more and more producers tackling the cheese/dribble core factor straight on with uplifting (not vomit incurring) Hardcore which actually has some balls! the bouncy sound is certainly back with vengeance so make sure you support it. if you have a bit of a job getting hold of any of the BT release best bet is to contact Scott Brown direct by e-mail: scott@evolutionrecords.co.uk
(DJ SPAZ-TEK)

BASS REACTION
TECHNOPHOBIA'99
BT3 (Bouncy Techno)
A: TECHNOPHOBIA (SCOTT BROWN REMIX) - Ehhh, what can I say really, if you remember the POWER MIX from about 4 years ago it's almost exactly the same as that, a little bit more polished in sound and a few little tweaks such as breaks and snares being added in. However that was a classic record, and this deserves to be too, the stab sections have been altered slightly, and there's a very nice piano break in the middle, but apart from that it's pretty much the same! No complaints though, cos it's still as good as it ever was!
9/10 .. 4:21/175bpm
B: TECHNOPHOBIA (RYAN CAMPBELL REMIX) - Hmmm, what have we here? A very hard trancy style remix, all the usual ingredients you'd expect, choral stabs and bouncy basslines, that just go on and on and on... The trouble with trance is that I don't have a fucking clue what all the different noises are called, but suffice to say this is your standard hard trancer which has been done very nicely, bearing just about no resemblance to the original tune apart from the sample and a little bit where the familiar melody is done in the trancy style. Not bad, definitely different anyway!!
8/10 .. 5:24/160bpm
(Zykotik)

ROBBO & JON DOE
"Produce The Bass" / "Yes"
NTRIX004 (No Trix)
OK I Know this is not exactly brand spanking new but well seeing as it is another record which I really like and it didn't get a written judgement before I think it deserves the treatment.
"Produce The bass" gets going with a stompy breakbeat giving the track a rough edge over most of the other 'trancecore' bits and bobs going about at the moment and certainly none of that intelligence/up yer arse type stuff that has been creeping in . Not long before JON DOE & ROBBO do the decent thing and drop some proper Hardcore Bass over the kickin breaks, something which far to much hardcore (on the happy side of things) has been lacking for far to long know.
A sorted small string section leads us into the main breakdown where a head mingling acid line takes over and just keeps getting that little bit more mad. Subtly the breaks and beats join us again and everything 'trances'up big time by the way of some spacey synths which combine superbly with the already excellent ingredients - Overall you got one seriously kickin cheese free trancecore / hardcore tune - excellent!!
As if that was not enough this record even has another side (gasp). For "Yes" the lads again use superb hard breaks, but this time going for a more '94 breakbeat happy hardcore feel. Ruff Jungalistic breaks interlaced with "Yes" and "R.A.W." samples lead the way into one of the most genuinely uplifting (by my books this means no cheese bollox) stabs which English Happy Hardcore has offered for yonkers! About half way through the tune, J.D. & ROBBO ensure things stay Hardcore and maintain interest by bringing in some twisted hoovers.
Again a blindin' tune which offers the Happy hardcore raver a cheese free alternative. Overall this bit of vinyl is an essential purchase for anyone who loves real hardcore Big respect to JON DOE for providing another top release on his label which is proving to be just what the doctor ordered. Also dont forget to check out the new No Trix website which should be online soon - http://www.notrix.bog.net .
10/10
(SPAZTEK)

DJ ECLIPSE
"Devestator" / "Stairway To Brooklyn"
NUNRG005 (Nu Energy Recordings)
With release number five ENERGY calls upon the talents of Australian DJ ECLIPSE to deliver the trance tripped hardcore goodies!
A-side "Devestator" gets this two track show on the road with the some thumpin bass (as my gran describes it) and percussion. In comes some dark tranced out synth stabs which play with you mind all the way to the breakdown...where the beats stop kickin' and some spaced out keys emerge to take full control of your brain with the hard trancer mayhem building up again in the background right until the end. Overall you've got one top quality piece of tuneage..with not one cheesy riff or girly singing to be heard... hopefully one of the major phuture sounds of Hardcore.
Flippin' over the record I bang my head (Ho Ho Ho) I was nicely aroused from my state of tripyyness with something a bit more like ECLIPSE's previous anthem on the Bonkers label- "Ultraworld 5". Nice hard kick drums get us on our way with enough stomp to get any party moving. woooooooohhh - in comes sort of old skool sounding keys over the top which dart about like speeding kangaroos in a mad Australian's headlights (gazup!) ECLIPSE breaks it all down with some tearing breaks and one hell off gorgeous riff where people start making peculiar movements with their hands and BOOM we are away again.
Before the end we are treated to a variety of Old Skool sounding breaks, bangs and noises over the top of ECLIPSE's proper hardcore madness which makes a few stops on the way - each time building it up a wee bit more. This tune in my opinion kicks the shit out of the A-side (which certainly ant anything short of wicked itself) making this piece of a vinyl a high ranker on your shopping list.
(SPAZTEK)

ECLIPSE & SHARKEY
"Mind Launch" / "The Warning"
NUNRG006 (Nu Energy Recordings)
Wayhay another Nu Energy release, hang on wahay yet another realer with ECLIPSE at the controls this time joined by UK Trancecore DJ/MC/Producer SHARKEY..sounds promising!!
"Mind Launch" starts off with a two step breakbeat, in comes some luverly 303 acid lines and a not over hard but balshe kick drum which heads of straight for the touchline (erm dum do). The Acid noises do exactly what they have been trained to do, that has tweak, peak and melt your brain. About half way through the track the workout comes to a rest and in come some moody strings which I am sure everyone and their do love but really fuckin get on my tits.
Not to worry though as its not long before the Acid Ardcore drive is back on target and my brain feels al squishy like a mashed potato (this is a very nice feeling thankyou). This weeks B-side is again my preferred track on the EP with darker acid lines (again creating that know legendary potato effect - mental), a zumbotastic bassline and some church organs placed in to excellent effect.
Overall another superb EP out on NU ENERGY with not a hint of the dreaded cheese bollox. Is it just me or is Hardcore getting better and better again?
(SPAZTEK)

D-FRAG / THE ROUGH BREAKS CREW
"Deconstruct" / "The Wizard"
NTRIX005 (No Trix)
A: DECONSTRUCT - Nice deep bassy sirens and old skool jazzy sounds kick off the track in a fine style, then we're treated to funky basslines and some d&b style breaks, with acid lines squelching and building in the background. Some more old d&b sounds, then it breaks down into an absolutely gorgeous string section, basslines, breaks, old skool choral sounds, it's 93 style ALL THE WAY!!!! My only complaint is it doesn't last long enough! Then the track starts getting a bit more up-to-date, acid building and building, but we still get lovely fuck-off big bassy breaks! Then it continues on a rollercoaster of bass and breakz....OLD SKOOL IN THE HOUSE, WOOHOO!!!
10/10 .. 5:23 / 169bpm
B: THE WIZARD - This one starts off in the usual happy style, kicks, breaks and the "checkin' the cutz across the whole equator" rap-line rabbiting away. Then rumbling stabs and acid lines arrange themselves in a fairly cheesy melody, along with some pretty fast strings - I'd like to see a violinist try and play them anyway! Then comes the breakdown, you think "this sound's familiar", but it won't let you know just yet, away off on a ride with the kicks again, but eventually it comes....they've only gone and ripped off Red Jerry's mix of Wizards Of The Sonic. Hmmm, it's not badly done I suppose but I'm not a fan of rip-offs as anyone who's met me will tell you, and it sounds a wee bit daft sped up so much...It's been fucked around with a little bit, acid lines put in and the "Toytown" sound put in to make up the melody, and sounds quite good, but...aggghhh...I just can't stand rip-offs!! Better than ripping off poppy vocal crap though!!
6/10 .. 6:30 / 173bpm
Overall, a nice little piece of vinyl, excellent to see breakbeat coming in big time again. This is an essential purchase due to the Deconstruct track, a wicked tune just in the '93 hardcore vein. Ahhh, this is what it should be! The B-side ain't too bad I suppose, but after the A-side it only serves to remind me where hardcore has gone wrong in the past couple of years! Still, get it for The Rough Breaks Crew!!
(ZYKOTIK)

EUPHONY
SPACE INVADER REMIXES
UKD023 (UK Dance Recordings)
A - SPACE INVADER (QUEST MIX) - Starts off in the usual Quest style, then breaks down into some boinging acid sounds, chopped up vocal and some breaks. Then breaks down again into a nice string section, with the breaks again - then it goes a bit strange. There's a quick male vocal section, in the style of Born Slippy, and there's the vocal bit put in for the next few seconds with a slightly cheesy melody then it goes back to the main part of the track again. The problem is that the female vocal bit sounds like it's just been pasted straight into the rest of the track - it just cuts in and then cuts out, and just gives the whole thing a scrappy feel. I don't fuss much about production normally, but this was a good track and it just doesn't fit. A big big shame, as I thought we were on to a winner!
FOR THE FUSSY - 5/10 or
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LIVES AND DON'T CARE (NOT ME THEN EH) - 9/10
B - SPACE INVADER (SCOTT BROWN MIX) - Yep, you can tell this is Scott straight away, the claps and the Scottish style groaning stabs (as I like to call them...nerr) make it obvious. Add a kick and the vocal repeating over and you're away. Takes on a cheesy high-pitched melody which quite surprised me, especially for Mr Broon, it's alright I suppose, but once again I have to say it's the sort of thing which I got bored of 3 years ago. The piano bit's good though, the vocals are okay I suppose , and this bit of the track does find favour with the being known as me. Not Scott at his best, but it's alright. 7/10
Hmmm, it's not bad by any means, but it's not very inspiring either in my opinion, the Quest mix could have been shit hot if it wasn't for that section which sounds like it's just been dumped into the rest of the tune, but that's the way life goes me supposes.
I reckon all you diehard happy heads will like it though - and that's no bad thing, so go out and support your independent record labels!
(ZYKOTIK)

ACID TECHNO:

BANDIT
37 GODS #2
A - UNDERSTAND - A harsh sounding bassdrum brings this in, with the sample "Understand" warping in and out of your mind as if it's Captain Fucking Kirk. The clanging of bells heralds the change of something new, something never before heard, something which everyone likes and which unites the scene. Well, okay it doesn't, but a) you can only hope and b) the tune does have bells in it. Now you're all getting the wrong idea entirely, this does indeed sound different from most stuff kicking around, I somehow get the idea though it won't appeal to everyone. But fuck them, it's YOU we're talking about! It follows much the same pattern, but later on we also get treated to some screeching which does maximum damage. Great. 9/10
AA - BANDIT - Begins in a more hard techno sort of way this one, with a thudding kick which swiftly belts up in intensity and a single stab which is messed around with, being pitched up, doubled, etc. And that's about it really, but it does make for a very good track. 9/10
Couldn't decide where to put this at first, but it probably fits into this section more than anything else. Ahhh, segregation of styles, the downfall of the scene. Still, that strays away from the main point, which is that this is a fucking good record from the AREA 51 camp. Excellent for those who want some techno sounds but also still want a degree of hardness.
(ZYKOTIK)

ENRI LORENZ
ROUTEMASTER 26
A - RED HERRING - Straight into it, a no-fucking-around good hard kickdrum and growling acid over the top looking to give anyone it sees a vicious beating. Not long later and a few variations in percussion signal the beginning for another crazy excretion from that 303, giving the track a lot more energy and aggressiveness. Nice. Then the main breakdown, the acid building up and up and up....and down and down and down....then all hell breaks loose. Very tasty indeed, mmm....acid munchies. 9/10 (8:45/145bpm)
B - MOBILE TELEPHONE - Yeah, now this is a wicked track!! A lot funkier than the flip, well it is at the start anyway. Not such a hard drum this time, but some very tasty hoovery noises in the background and then the snares kick in on every other beat to give this a real funky feel. Then the squelchy sound from heaven takes the reigns, demanding full attention. But what really makes this work is the sample - "Calling you at home on my mobile telephone" in a dreary cockney voice. It adds a whole lot more and I personally think it makes the track fucking funny. But there's also lots of clever bits of percussion abuse making sure the track doesn't become too repetitive, and a lovely breakdown in the middle with more acid riffs which builds and builds and then explodes in a gooey yet strangely attractive mess... 10/10 (6:55/144bpm)
The first release on this label I've been able to get hold of, and fuck me, I'm impressed. Very good indeed, a wee bit slower than Stay Up Forever/Smitten sort of stuff, but in some cases a good bit harder and trance inducing...definitely a record to track down, and if you haven't heard this sound before definitely a good starting point!! (Dj Zykotik)
(ZYKOTIK)

H.L. VS SARCOBLAST
ROUTEMASTER 27
A - HACKNEY COUNCIL : BUNCH OF __ - Eh, not too sure if it's a remix of the original, probably is, but nevermind, it's the tune that's important. Anyway, the standard acid techno kickdrum begins this little number, and ably keeps it going on with a bit of the usual added hi-hats and the like till the tune kicks in proper. And it does so with some freshly washed clanking sounds which give the tune more of a straight-up techno feel. Then there's a swift change to a pulsating bassline after the sample ("Hackney Council, bunch of cunts" - probably fair to agree) and some more clanking which swiftly builds up to give a very fucked up analogue twist to the track. Nice. Maybe Hackney Council should have a listen and realise what they're missing - but then, perhaps not eh? 9/10 (7:22/145bpm)
B - WET - Oooh, if we must pigeonhole, than this is most definitely acid trance in it's basic form. A trippy acid line, a fairly tough-but-not-excessive drum and a throbbing bassline are all left to mingle together and get it on in a fine style. And they succeed - leaving a sickening mess of grinding chaos for whoever's unfortunate enough to have to clear up. 10/10 (7:39/148bpm)
Not headfucked madness, a bit more subtle than that, but still very rough and tough. Another excellent release from this label - get it now!! You have no excuse for missing it - it's in big letters on the front of the sleeve: ROUTEMASTER RECORDS. Stop reading this and get the fuck down your local shop! Go! (Dj Zykotik)
(ZYKOTIK)

A+E DEPT.
EXPERIMENT 4 REMIXES
STAY UP FOREVER REMIX 12
A1 - ARKATEK & PAOLO'S DESPERATE TO GET ON STAY UP FOREVER MIX - Starts off with a whispered sample I can't make out repeating itself, and quickly into the beats and subtle acid sounds. Acid riffs then lay themselves on top of the rest of the track and are swiftly joined by some nice droning hoover work before kicking off again. But it ain't long before someone else joins the party, grinding chopped up sirens making the track a lot tougher and mean. And it works a treat! 8/10 (6:40/150bpm)
A2 - D.A.V.E. THE DRUMMER'S LUNCH DA DAT MIX - Dark whooping acid and metallic sounds get this little number going, with that fairly weak kick present in many of this guy's tunes. Chopped up breathing sounds and more sirens are used (sparingly) as a build up to an acid line which isn't that fucked up and grinding, but still serves its purpose in getting people dancing in a manic frenzy. That's it for the rest of the track, not as hard as the other two mixes, but better for getting people locked into one groove! 8/10 (6:31/149bpm)
B - MISH MASH'S CLANK'N'MASH MIX - Begins in a more techno sort of style, although at a faster pace, with riffs rebounding off the walls of the speaker. A quick build-up in percussion signals that we're in for something more though, and ohhh yeahhhh, we certainly are! Drums and bongo type rhythms pound away, but then it's once again the turn of the acid to take control, in big sweeping menacing stabs, smashing everything out of it's path to take it's righteous place at the peak of madness. A nice breakdown in the middle too, where the drums are distorted and given an echoing effect I haven't heard used for ages! Produced by Aaron & Julian Liberator, this is definitely the hardest of the mixes, based around the Cluster sound. Wonderful stuff. 9/10 (7:22/150bpm)
Being a newcomer to this sound, I don't know the original of this track, but all of these would stand out as good tracks in their own right, so it's definitely a record you should have. If you're after a trancy sort of groove try D.A.V.E The Drummer's mix, for pure hard fucked up sounds go for Mish Mash's or Arkatek & Paolo's. Guaranteed fun for all the family! (Dj Zykotik)
(ZYKOTIK)

ROZZER'S DOG
STAY UP FOREVER 39
A - WORLD WAR 303 - Nice title, and I think you all know what this track consists of as a result. Quite a surprising start though, really dark grinding riffs which wouldn't sound out of place in your typical gabba track and which almost had me believing that's what would follow. But I was brought swiftly back to reality(?) with the unmistakable clanking sound of acid techno. And that's exactly what it is for the first two or three minutes, building up in terms of both percussion and the different little subtle sounds in the background. But don't worry, it's not too long before that good old acid line comes in. It's almost "happy" as well, although it has the usual harsh sound it's arranged in such a way that it doesn't sound quite as aggressive as recent S.U.F. releases (Uneven Surface for example). It gets even better though, what with the dive-bomber noises in the background, the sirens and accompanying crowd chant. Then once again it's into the breakdown, the same sinister riffs as at the start of the track. I personally think it would have sounded better if they continued rather than just cutting out, but each to their own eh! Otherwise, it's a great track, and the little German singing bit at the end is comedy too! 8/10 (10:48/145bpm)
B - VIAGRA FALLS - This one starts off in a more "flowing" style, with a funky little 303 bassline running underneath the main acid stabs. More clanking arrives, and it isn't long before the track's going in full flow. Some of the breakdown's are a bit strange really, with crowd/city(?) noises, but the tune's pretty good overall with some nice chunky metallic sounds and acid lines. 7/10 (8:49/147bpm)
Definitely not as hard as the last release on this label, but still pretty foreboding to those unused to this sound. Probably not one of S.U.F.'s best, but it's not a bad record by far. It might be worth taking a listen beforehand though if you're expecting all out thumping acid madness. (Dj Zykotik)
(ZYKOTIK)

THE WEATHERMEN
BOSCALAND 046
A - ONE MORE FOR YOUR MIND - Well, this pretty much stays the same for most of the track, starting with a nice thumping drum and the standard clanking sounds, and gradually building up in percussion with hi-hats, snares, claps etc. There's a good little bassline in there too for good measure, and it basically stays like that for 3/4 of the track. Some might say it's repetitive, I just think it's an excellent builder and great for mixing with, you can spend ages on bringing this one in! Eventually there comes a change though, a funky yet harsh melody of stabs doing the business ensuring things don't become too dull. Doesn't last long though, so enjoy it while you can! 8.5/10 (7:18/146bpm)
AA - MANUAL DUMP - Woooo, now this one's a bit strange, the sounds sort of stumble there way through the track. A typical hard techno rhythm, with some screechy noises in there for effect and another funky bassline building up into wibbly wobbly madness. Not much acid, but there's the occassional appearance of that messed up sound in there somewhere. 9/10 (6:32/148bpm)
More techno orientated than recent Boscaland releases, which have leaned towards the acid sound. Make no mistake though, the tunes are as banging as always, and this definitely makes a nice bridge between techno and acid in a set. Well worth having.
(ZYKOTIK)

K90
Species
BOSCALAND 047
A - ORIGINAL MIX - Starts off at a fair pace, with some trancy basslines and build-ups. Carries on like this for a bit, then breaks into some acid melodies with some samples going on about "living organisms" etc. This definitely seems more hard trance than acid techno though and this is compounded by the second breakdown, some tough trancy stabs running over each other, before yet another break into a little choral section. It's back into the acid after that, which starts zooming in and out waiting for the stabs to join in again - and they do so with maximum effect. 10/10 (8:20/152bpm)
AA - TRASH COMPACTOR REMIX - With Mark Tyler & Guy McAffer doing the remix, you know this is going to be quite messy. Nice and stompy to begin with, alongside the sample "how they work" which has been distorted to fit in better with this style. The stabs come in again, but these have also been manipulated and chopped around to go more with the acid techno style of doing things. After that comes a bleepy melody which reminds me of old school techno tunes, which can be no bad thing, and then the stabs come in again too, polishing the track off leaving a nice gleam. 8/10 (7:45/146bpm)
Boscaland's diversity has been shown well with the last few releases, including straight-up techno, acid, and now some good hard trance too. And this is made even better by the fact each release is top quality, including this one. I haven't stopped playing the A-Side since I got it (except to check the B-Side of course), and neither should you!
(ZYKOTIK)

EZ RIDERS
CLUSTER 29
A - CHOPPER - No messing about, we're plunged right into the depths of pounding drums and rhythms, running along at a fair pace. More of the droning kind of sounds which are designed to head straight for your jugular, and then further into the madness with more fucked up clanky melodies. And it gets better, another melody which sounds like a flute player on acid with his red raw bollox dipped in TCP joins the fray, and from here on in it just gets harder and harder. Fucking fierce mate!!!!!! 10/10 (7:52/147bpm)
B - GRIFTER - A very techno-style beginning, which goes on for a fair bit before the snares start increasing to herald a change. Seeming a lot mellower than usual for Cluster because of the mad-as-fuck Chopper tune. Well don't worry, because as I said the snares signal a big change, hurtling straight into more grinding sounds and a good moody bassline. It then drops off the melody to let it bask in it's own glory, and quickly picks it up again and flies off on another trip of madness. Great. 9/10 (7:34/141bpm)
Fucking excellent, one of the best Cluster releases yet, certainly one of the top records in my collection. Something for everyone, techno influences, acid influences, and I would even say hardcore influences because of that fucking mad A-Side. Ahhh, this is what a record should be. Thank you!!!
(ZYKOTIK)

GEEZER
SMITTEN 28
A - DUSTHEAD 2000 - Mmmm, tuff drums and an ever increasing acid rumble in the background get this going. It carries on like this for a few minutes, building up the pressure with a variety of sound effects and percussion, and the odd sweeping string for good measure. Another tune which is a treat to mix in. Without you realising it the acid bassline has grown into a raging psychotic nutter, obliterating all around it - and that's not all, because its big brother acid line joins in, finishing off any survivors of the first onslaught. Then into a quick breakdown with distorted voices and more swooshing, before it's off on the same trip once more. 9/10 (8:46/148bpm)
B - TICKLING THE TROUT - Yeah, a very nice hard drum greets the survivors of the flipside's onslaught with another rumbling acid bassline. Sounds slower than it actually is, but that's not a bad thing, coz it sounds fucking heavyweight too!!! More deep acid squelches in and out of the main tune, in a trancy techno sort of style. This tune is perfect, hard enough to go mad to and repetitive enough to get locked right into a rhythm. Lovely. 9/10 (7:36/146bpm)
A good banging release from The Geezer, who you should all know by now seeing as he's involved in nearly every acid techno release kicking around!! Both tunes are excellent builders, going on and on before exploding in a fine grand finale. Buy it mate!!
(ZYKOTIK)

ACID PERVERTS
SMITTEN 29
A - GET IT OUT - Sinister title sample gets this one going, but a little bit surprising this one, definitely not the usual Smitten madness! It sounds well housey to begin with, a bit too housey some might say. What's happened? Have Smitten gone house? Haha, bollox, the funky rumbling bassline signifies that it won't be long before something harder starts coming our way, and there's no disappointment. Evil squelching and groaning acid fades in just in the nick of time before your interest strays to something else, and does the business. And so it goes on, repeating itself until it fades away leaving that misleading house-style beat. 8/10
B - STICK IT IN - Ahh, dodgy titles, I love 'em. Nothing dodgy about the music though, more deep-voiced samples and a slightly less housey beat this time. And we're off once more, more banging than the other side with some more exceedingly good acid cakes and freshly made percussion. Mmmmm, give me the recipe. And it builds up further more acid lines running over the top of the original one, and then even MORE acid over the top of that. Tunage equivalent of black forest gateau - fucking gorgeous and so many different flavours!! 9/10
Not as banging as the one before, but definitely a pounder all the same in places, the A-Side is a good bridge between mellow into harder sounds. All in all a good release, once more handled expertly by the Geezer (accompanied by DJ Ant), if you like it hard take a listen first though!
(ZYKOTIK)

CHOCI, BILLY "DANIEL" BUNTER & THE GEEZER
V.C.F. 016
A - BROWN BREAD MATE - Begins in a kind of tribal style, with nice clanging sounds used to good effect against the odd squelch. Also adopts a funky bassline and some twisting turning riffs which give it a much more hard trance feel than the sort of thing the labels above deal with. But don't get the wrong idea, because the acid lines are there, banging around the room and smashing things up till you give them complete attention. The breakdown comes in, the dark strings accompanying the melody well, before it ejaculates all over you room, giving you some dodgy stains to explain to your mum next time she washes your sheets. You have been warned!! 9/10 (7:56/150bpm)
B - ACID CONSPIRACY - Cor, unexpected beginning ahoy, with some rather tasty amens grabbing your ears and an appetizing tough kick to garnish. Yup, a big trancy number this one, as the next section lets you know in fine style, with it's swooping riffs and smooth bassline. But the acid hasn't been forgotten (no way!!!), and slams into the track, big and baaaaaad, with some more old hardcore style breakbeats (Billy Bunter's influence definitely showing). Into the breakdown with the same riffs and big droning sirens to make your mouth water, and then it carries you on the next wave towards dessert. Yummy. 10/10 (7:20/150bpm)
Excellent, a lot trancier than the likes of S.U.F. and Smitten, but still pretty tough and definitely banging! If you don't like the acid techno sound but you do like hard trance, this is the type of thing you'll go for - and for only a fiver, it's a fucking bargain!!!
(ZYKOTIK)

TRANCE:

PLASTIC BOY
TWIXT
BONZAI GERMANY 012
A - TWIXT (M-ZONE MIX) - With this man behind the mix you know what this is gonna sound like. Quality? Oozing it mate. All the usual trance ingredients, with some soothing chiming sounds and a very very good high pitched choral melody. A great build up too, dark strings fading in and out, before some lighter choral sounds take over and take you away to fuck knows where. Some nice beeps and bobs keep you in limbo, before you're smacked straight back to where you came from with that choral section again. 9/10 (8:58/139bpm)
B1 - TWIXT (ORIGINAL MIX) - Starting a bit weaker than the A-Side, but still good with more sinister riffs which build and build as we head straight towards the big breakdown...which comes in once again with some dark yet uplifting strings. Then it takes on the same melody as the M-Zone mix, but this time with strings and bouncy basslines instead of the choral sound. The mellower of the two mixes, but still just as good as the first one. The best bit definitely when the second breakdown comes, with more bouncy little noises to herald the arrival of the strings and then it goes crazy again. Excellent. 9/10 (8:50/138bpm)
B2 - LIFE ISN'T EASY - More dark brooding strings, still uplifting, and then into the beats again with a hoover sound zooming in and out over the top. Yet more choral sounds and strings, but they really are put together well here. That's pretty much what makes up the track, but then that's pretty much all it needs! 9/10 (5:21/138bpm)
Cracking, three excellent tunes which make this worth paying import price for. All three dark but uplifting, a nice alternative to really happy cheesy trance (which has its place!! Don't get me wrong!). Good also to see M-Zone's name involved - and if you like trance that should tell you straight away to get this!
(ZYKOTIK)

K90
PHOENIX UPRISING SPECIAL 002
A - ROCK THE SHOW - Starts in quite a housey fashion, although the big throbbing bassdrum and the old rave sample "rock your soul & make the building shake" are good enough indicators to let you know this won't be your average house track. And when the breakdown comes, you're not disappointed. Big spooky stabs build up in a sinister arrangement which would have your standard house punter running a mile. And any that are left will definitely tear off once the dark strings join in over the top, giving the track a nice hard edge. 8/10 (7:02/142bpm)
AA - DAYS OF REALITY - Cor, definitely making use of old skool samples on this record! "Bring it back to the days of reality", nice. Starts off in a similar way to the other side, but has more of a trancy feel with the tribal sounding bassline. Very promising. But not as promising as the breakdown, which once again follows the dark stabs route to ensure plenty of ear damage, but this time does it in a way that the A-Side sounds like total cheese. Great stuff. And again there are some spooooooooky strings which add a lovely atmospheric touch to this track. Then it changes and shoots into some more bouncy sounding stabs, but don't worry, the strings ensure that foreboding feel remains, along with some good squelchy acid lines. A wicked track. 10/10 (142bpm)
Fresh from his release on Boscaland, K90 does it again with a great little pair of trancers. Look out for this little 10 inch, it's well worth picking up and it's a bargain at four quid!
(ZYKOTIK)

Oh, also worth giving your attention to is S.O.L. on Platipus (No.59), 3 tracks, four quid, two of the tracks are quite mellow trance, but the last track is a great atmospheric trance tune with plenty of energy in it too and a wonderful old skool feel. Give it a listen!!

ALBUMS

TRANCE / TECHNO

TECHNO TRANSMISSIONS
Mixed By Mark EG
CDRAID 544 (Rumour Records)
"NO ordinary techno compilation" apparently. Hmm, I've been listening to techno for a few years now but knew fuck all about it until recently so I can't really comment. One thing I can say though - if techno in a minimal or purist style is your thing you'll be doing yourself and your ears a favour by buying this. Very nice indeed, a range of tracks from back in '91 right up to tracks which are just a couple of months old, including classics such as "Energy Flash" and "Kiss The Sky". There's a bit of variation in all the tunes, some are mellow, some are funky, some are harsh and grinding - but they're all good. Particular stand outs are SURGEON's "Muggerscum Out", MARK LLOYD's cleverly done "French Fist" and the nice sit down and chill track "El Dopa" by STEVE STOLL. It's quite a bargain too, with a total of 18 tracks to arouse your eardrums - some of the mixing's a wee bit iffy, but to me it just adds a bit more to it and you know for sure it has been mixed by Mark EG, not just mastered on some computer like some recent compilations! If you want to know more about techno it's a good buy due to the fact there's a range of different styles of techno on it, and if you're into techno anyway you should have it as a matter of principle. And if you're still not sure - it doesn't hurt to take a listen does it?
8/10
(ZYKOTIK)