Review: A band that have hitherto yet to be properly exposed to British ears, When Saints Go Machine have already had their full debut album released in their native Denmark.. Their sound is extremely hard to pin down - such is the range of material covered in these six tracks. Title tune "Fail Forever" introduces the distinctive tone of Nickolaj's vocals - somewhere between Morrissey and Erlend Oye - and comes over like Hot Chip's "Boy From School" played at about 4am with a beautiful electro-orchestral backing and some sparse but effective drums and bass. This is a great introduction to a band that are clearly bursting with ideas and influences.
Review: The Survival EP sees Go Hiyama in typically uncompromising form for Belgian Imprint Token. The Japanese producer has been at the forefront of his country's industrial techno scene of late and these four pounders cement his position. The title track takes no prisoners with jackhammer drums pummelling the abrasive synth lines, stopping only momentarily for the lean rubber bassline to get stretched out before twanging back into action. Schizophrenic percussion dominates on "Tokyo View" with discordant scratches the so called melody upon which paranoid sirens sound out on what is the standout track. "First Hind Leg" throws frenetic synth shapes over galloping hi-hats whilst "Second Real" challenges the recent Mike Dehnert release in the distorted abrasions stakes.
Review: Japanese artist Go Hiyama was responsible for some of 2012's finest techno through his work for Token - and this new missive for Warm Up maintains his consistent record. "Dull Acuity" contains all the typical Go Hiyama trademarks - complex rhythms, subtle but effective filters and most importantly a slamming, upfront approach. "Common Blank" is even more impressive, with its nagging groove augmented by slivers of metallic percussion. Taking a different approach, Hiyama uses what sounds like an indie guitar riff on a loop for "First Refusal", wrapping it around a more understated electronic groove. Oscar Mulero delivers two takes on "Blank"; the '2nd Edit' is a muscular, robotic affair, but the first version, with its nickel-plated drums and driving bass, impresses the most.
Stingrays - "A Strange Footprint Of The Unknown" - (7:25) 133 BPM
Review: The fifth Counter Pulse record delivers an incendiary double header. Following on from his excellent record on Token, Japan's Go Hiyama proves again that he's the master of advanced techno; "Spiral" consists of heavy beats, so dense and claustrophobic that they almost take the listener's breath away. Married to doubled up claps and cheesewire percussion, they make for one of the best peak-time tracks of 2012. "Screw" is based on a similar approach, but the groove is more rolling, providing a platform for evil bass licks and dark droning riffs. Stingrays contribute two screeching, metal-shredding tracks, but their aggression and broken beat menace somehow can't compare to Go Hiyama's brilliance.
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