Review: As old Grandpappy Juno tells all the staff on their first day, 'always pack a hardhat'. At first you haven't got the foggiest what he's on about... Then a cut like "Favela" crashes through the speakers, and it hits you like a slo-mo hardcore techno brick. Softened slightly by tingling rave rushes, this is hardhat-level electro at its grittiest. Rough Draft's remix, on the other hand, needs no safety headwear. In fact his funkified dubstep version is so slinky and sprightly you could jump around to this in that cracking birthday suit of yours and fear no real danger whatsoever. Hoi! finishes the set with a remix and while it's back to a hardhat level of electro energy and oomph, you can wear it at a jaunty angle as the basslines are much squidgier.
Review: Two former members of D&B trio Resonant Evil (Renegade Hardware, Moving Shadow) have branched out and found a new breaks-friendly home on Cut La Roc's Rocstar label. And boy have they got material to share: with 31 tracks included plus remixes, they've clearly been busy boys, but thankfully not at the expense of quality. "1,2,3,4" comes charging in with live-sounding drums rattling heavily, while "Wipergroove" and "The Calling" show off their deeply tech side. Unable to leave D&B tempos alone, there's even a few hyped, jump-up tunes in there too, making this an exhilarating roller coaster ride of an album, and an impressive debut to boot.
Review: Hot on the heels of a killer remix package of their 2008 anthem "MSG" Afghan Headspin release the Schwarzenegger sized "Total Recall" which blends Happy Hardcore piano hooks and chipmunk vocals with heavy breaks and trancey synths for maximum effect. Japanese breakbeat artist Eshericks drops a killer progressive breakbeat banger with a very effective breakdown whereas as Jersey quartet Schema add further to their reputation with a mid range dubstep tear out. Afgan Headspin finish off things themselves with "5 Years 10 Years" a cheeky little dubstep number with menacing bass stabs, off key hats and comedy samples.
