Demoralized Spiral of Desire - Ruffneck & Synapse - Enzyme K7 -11

   This new Enzyme K7 holds to the spirit of Enzyme K7 10, with a heavy DnB and Dubstep influence in the first 2 tracks and a modern and a darkcore feel for the other 2. Alot of Hardcore heads where upset with this release due to it's dubstep influences, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that this is a solid release.

   The A side is composed of Reign of Chaos, with both it's original and "step" edits. The 2 tracks are almost identical except for a difference in order of the arrangements. The song in both edits has a strong DnB core to them with heavy snares and breakbeat fills. The song's screeching synths and dark lyrics make it a formidable track in the industrial scene. Both songs feature a "dubstep breakdown" which in all actuallity is pretty effectice. Why? It's rough, it's distorted, it doesn't drop the 175BPM rhythm, and it's in your face. This song despite the dissapointing anticipation turned out to be quit a good track. I give this song a 4/5

   The B side is made up of 2 different edits of Disruption of Balance which on boths sides is a distorted, abrasive, industrial menace on the dancefloor. The original edit is more in the style of Synapse with a 175BPM tempo and heavy racing sounds. This song rocks a 5/5. The "core edit" is in homage to the original Darkcore sound from Supreme Intelligence at a heavy 150BPM and carries a driving feeling with dark tones and high end screeches. This song is definitely for the industrialists only. This edit deserves a 5/5.



Previews:
-Reign of Chaos
-Reign of Chaos "step edit"
-Disruption of Balance
-Disruption of Balance "core edit"

Enzyme X 32 - Nathaniel/ Superfly - Enzyme X (Ophidian)

   The Enzyme X project returns to the Hardcore scene with the neck-breaking experimental release of Enzyme X 32. This limited pressing 7" is armed with 2 new experimental smashers that will open your eyes to new forms of Hardcore music.

   The A side, Nathaniel, is a DnB/Breakcore influenced Hardcore track speeding it's way through past 180BPM with a crazy psychidelic tone. The song features hypnotic samples of the name nathaniel as the song's breakbeat madness dances on your brain like an army of Africanized Killer Bees. The song's breakdown creeps through your psychy with quiet words and then bashes your brain in with an un-compromising kick. This song is tailored for the IDM/ Breakcore heads. This song deserves a 5/5

The B side is a little bit more in the origin of previous Enzyme X's like Silly Mid On & Deep Square Leg. This song has a pulsating industrial groove that dances about like Bootsie Collins's basslines. The song has a dirty kick that makes you wonder where this song makes it's beds at night. This song is nothing new but it is definitely more accessible then the last. Regardless I still love this track and I am giving it a 4/5

Pick up a copy of Enzyme X 32 if you are willing to give the odd ball side of Hardcore a try.



Previews: Nathaniel / Superfly

Returning after a long and sardful haiatus.

Time to get cracking on reviews and Bay Area Hardcore news.

Enzyme K7 10 - Vows of Doubt, Announced

 The full roster of tracks for the new Enzyme K7 was announced finally and I am jumping in  my seat with joy. It is expected January 1st, 2011 which means IT'S TOO FAR AWAY!!! Well at least I had a preview of the record in Nosferatu's Thrillogy mix with the track Vows of Doubt by Synapse & Ruffneck.

A1-Syanpse & Ruffneck - Vows of Doubt
A2-Synapse- The Blood
B1-Synapse- Hiresh
B2-Synapse- Primal & Pure

Angerfist USA TOUR 2011

Angerfist is coming to L.A. and I'm so incredibly glad to rage to some real Hardcore. SEE YOU THERE JANUARY 22 2011!

- Ross

Ice: Pain & Fear - Meccano Twins (TRSE027)

  Along with the trading of Matteo Pitossi for Jose Sendra comes the new age of Meccano Twins releases. This new age of the Meccano Twins will come along with releases having their sound determined by one of the elements of Greek philosophy and Chinese Alchemy. The first of these new releases is Ice: Pain & Fear.

  Time Has Come is the A side of the record and it is something you wouldn't hear from anyone but the Meccano Twins. It starts off with the regular 32 bar intro with cold harsh sounds creating the atmosphere of the track leading to the drop of the cold robotic sample. "Your time has come." The song definitely captures the element perfectly with time stops and harshly distorted synths that sound like a harsh blizzard beating your eardrums. This song is great.

  Pain & Fear, the B side, is definitely a special track to me. The song's intro sounds like the last alarms of safe haven in a harsh cold wasteland shutting it's doors, the doors close and the kick comes in. After the chaos of hypothermia ensues you hear out of the frozen paralysis the words; "I don't believe in Heaven. I believe in pain. I believe in fear. I believe in death." The song then breaks out with bit-crushed synth that sounds utterly unique and the song takes off from there. Pain & Fear is truly an amazing and unique track, listen to it or else.

  If you haven't heard Gamma Release then you don't really like the Meccano Twins, since this song has been heard for ages now on mixes everywhere, it was only a matter of time before they finally released this track. Another really good tune in the old Meccano Twins style; massive kicks, dark synths, and industrial sounds is to be expected. Another stomping good track.

 Ice: Pain & Fear is definitely in my top 10 of releases this year, every track on this record is great. I highly suggest buying it and giving it a real listen. It seems that the trade for Jose Sendra was an excellent choice. The Meccano Twins are back, with a vengeance.

-Daniel/Clockwork Menace

Time Has Come - Meccano Twins (Preview)
Pain & Fear - Meccano Twins (Preview)
Gamma Release - Meccano Twins (Preview)

Refly - Amnesys (TRAX0085)

  Refly is the latest 3 track EP from the well achieved fresh talent of Amnesys. Amnesys has been taking the Hardcore world by storm with tracks like World Wide Crisis and Elevation, and his latest release was no less innovative.

  Refly the titular track came as a shock when I listened to it the first time and heard it had uplifting lyrics. The lyrics then give way to high ranged synth that takes the listener to the upper-range of their emotions. This song isn't my absolute favorite song ever but it is definitely an interesting tune.

  I first heard Control D Future when I was listening to a live DJ Set of Amnesys on Masters of Hardcore's 15th anniversary celebration party. Control D Future is by all means a very mainstream but strange direction for a hardcore track. It starts out with a bassline and minute kicks that give way to Rage Against the Machine samples and a synth line that screams in your ear, that some would find plane annoying. It was definitely an innovative track and something I would expect out of a man like Amnesys.

  System Crash, is definitely one of the best songs of the year hands down. An aggressive tune with drum & bass feel, and Lenny Dee lyrics to boot. The song's melody is a climatic adrenaline pumping wonder. I really can't put into words how this song is, it's best left to the listener to experience.

  Probably one of the more mainstream releases this year but still heavily note worthy. With almost every mainstream producer trying to follow up to a release like this it is definitely something Amnesys should be proud of. Refly was something you wouldn't get out of anyone but Amnesys.

-Daniel

Refly - Amnesys (Preview)
Control D Future - Amnesys (Preview)
System Crash - Amnesys (Preview)