Review: Cruel Culture goes in dark and dirty with the Impulse EP on new label Mindtech, who came out of Belgium with its first release from Optiv / Rregula earlier this summer. Expect rumbling b-lines, terse, crisp breaks and deep vibes a-plenty in "Constant", before "Proteus" takes over with a kick in the drums, sci-fi SFX, bleeping melodies; thumping into the drop, it progresses into a dark, menacing stepper. The eponymous track of the EP is another growling display of finesse, with warping subs and sweeping atmospheric moments, before "Incarnation" completes the collection with a mournful flourish.
Review: Prepare to adopt a screw face as Paper Clip kicks off his 'Sonic Blaster' EP with a flurry of sci-fi SFX, super grimy b-line and bruising drums. Followed by up by the mighty Transformers referencing "Optimus Prime" - a tense, post-apocalyptic intro is interrupted by a turbo charged cyborg bothering bassline and battering atmospheric rumbling - it's a terrifying and thrilling first half. Things don't get any easier on the ear in the second half, as metallic stabs and pattering drums pave the way for more teched up neuro funk in menacing roller "Manuscript". "Obscurantism Aura" concludes the EP with an epic choral element blended meticulously intro thunderous breaks and pressurised bass.
