Review: Definitely "Maybe"... Eternal Muzik continue to crunch into the new year with four killer cuts from three killer artists. Asylum takes the lead with two caustic steppers: "Maybe" is pure groove poison with its jagged dynamics and alarming darkness while the sinewy step-based "Sinister" allows MC Kolapse the space to spill his demonic tones. Deeper again we find DJ Rodeo in fine jittering, off-beat form on "Shoot Me" and Traumatize closing the show with a riff-focused cut that wouldn't go amiss in a Randall set. Reference points don't come any higher.
Review: Man of the moment Traumatize returns to the Bio camp with four absolute barn-blazers. We kick off with "T3", a much deeper, creepier twist to what he's known for, there's an air of techno menace in the tension. "Steam", meanwhile, goes on a minimal growly one before "Silent Zone" pushes us into the nearest graveyard and plays games with bassline shadows. Finally "Can't Test" closes the EP on a proper soldier grunty mission that you could imagine in the thick of a Mampi Swift set. Zero messing around here.
Review: Blasting up your ghetto with his beatbox on his shoulder, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake, Traumatize returns to Biological Beats with the second part of his "Stereo Yout" series. Once again no compromises are made as he sculpts his unique sound with even more clarity. "Mind Your Own" has an almost techno like sheen to the synth leads and vibe (while persistently slugging it out with a gritty jumpy bassline and stripped back beats) "So What" hits with an up-tempo energy too; relentless and pounding, it flexes a timeless, almost hardcore like vibe. "Spin" sees him returning to his more traditional jump up signature; multigrain basslines snap popping and crackling in clipped conversational motion. Finally we hit "Stick Around"; an ugly grotty groaner with more fog horn stench than a ship's slopping bucket. Stereo stink-up!
Review: Biological Beats have a bit of a reputation for spewing out some of the most venomous beats in the business and their talent for pushing some of the best unknown artists on the jump-up spectrum is undeniable. Traumatize is holding up that standard and he's doing it in style, something clear right from the start of this EP. 'Stereo Yout' reels you in with a lovely dub-influenced intro, it's upbeat beginnings quickly regressing to a siren-like wail of pure energy that's reminiscent of Kings of the Rollers and insanity more generally. The rest of the release is equally aggressive, 'Most High' being another highlight. Sick release.
Review: No drama, here's Trauma... And he's here to make you question every fibre of your existence. "Selfish" sets the scene with its all-out sandpaper riff and sudden swoop into ravey bliss on the breakdown. "Lies" takes a more leftfield route with a Serum-style slimy Q&A while "Code Red 2017" dusts off the chainsaw and cuts us all down a peg or three. Finally we hit "Artificial". The stankiest stinkier of the set; one buzz on those alien bass textures and you'll be speaking in tongues.
Review: Biological Beats are turning fifteen years old and, like any good anniversary, it's being celebrated with a proper knees-up, hands-in-the-air type compilation of jump-up heavy hitters from a slew of wicked artists. This is that celebration and DJ Limited, Puppetz and more are in the place, whilst Enta and more make a feature as well. Enta turns up the heat with a screamer with 'Ear Dis', Puppetz takes things heavy on 'Reborn' and Traumatize drags proceedings into a bouncier place with his stormin VIP of 'Joker'. All round, an excellent showing from the crew and an excellent example of how to pull off a big compilation.
