Pan:core - "No Way To Win"

Brilliant diverse electronica (10/10) this is my first 'more than 8 tracks' album. the tracks are of different type. i think, i dont want to keep a style forever, if you know what i mean. the classical sample in 'cant stop' IS NOT ripped from try^d. track 4 is a little 'hello' to black era - an amazing triphop-combo from italy, which you can find also on jamendo. their track 'in front of the corner' inspired me somehow, as you can see at the name of my album :) enjoy. :) This is a very diverse recording. Each track is completely different from the others. Some are calm and hypnotic, some are noisy and aggressive, almost industrial. They have only two things in common. They all belong to the genre of electronica and they are all great. Each melody is very original and artful. The album is under half an hour but has more bright ideas than whole discographies of some other artists. ;-) You can also download this album for free directly from the artist at his website in .mp3 file format.

[mirror @ archive.org] [Artist's website]

Embolism - "This Means Fucking War!"

Speedcore classic (7/10) Early Embolism speedcore action! 6 tracks built on an Amiga 500. released 15 December 1995 Written and produced by a 14-year old Ryan Leeman in his bedroom on an Amiga 500 running through a small television speaker, whilst bunking off school in mid-1995. Originally released on 12" vinyl December 1995. A speedcore classic written by then 14-year old Ryan Leeman, one of the pioneers of hardcore techno, recording for the famous label Bloody Fist Records. It is not a secret that hardcore techno is not my favorite genre of electronic music, because of its repetitiveness, monotony and overuse of irritating sampled speeches. Yet this album is another proof that with enough talent, one can write great tunes in each and every style. Only the final track Pillow Talk suffer from these weaknesses. All the rest is great - original, creative and catchy (in the wicked "hardcore techno" sense of this word), while still being fast, aggressive and uncompromising. And it was made by a 14-year old kid on an Amiga 500 computer. Wow. The album is available on Bandcamp for 6 Australian dollars in a variety of formats, including a FLAC version. You can also listen to the full album before making a decision on purchase.

Various Artists - "Newcastle Sampler"

Interesting hardcore techno compilation (6/10)

All Tracks Built In Newcastle, Australia Published By Len & Jen Music (ASCAP) Distributed By Soundbase Music Germany Newcastle Sampler is a compilation released by the label Bastard Loud Records, presenting several acts from the Newcastle hardcore techno scene, recording for the famous label Bloody Fist Records. This is an interesting album, offering quality tunes, and although I personally dig only two tracks out of six, the compilation remains a great insight into the history of hardcore techno. My favorites are Nasenbluten - Treadmill and Disassembler - Ants. They are fast, aggressive, disturbing, but without being too repetitive and without overuse of speech samples - two weaknesses of so many hardcore techno tunes. The other four do not fit my taste, being haunted by the said flaws. They represent the type of hardcore techno, which is totally boring for me, despite its aggressiveness and high tempos. Still, they should appeal to hardcore hardcore techno fans out there. If you happen to be one, you can safely add some points to my 6/10 rating. I guess this album is very rare now, but if you happen to run into it somewhere along the links, be sure to check it out, if you are a fan of hardcore techno. And do not forget to visit the official Bandcamp website of Bloody Fist Records, where you can listen to and buy some other releases from this label.

Various Artists - "Newcastle Hardcore Vol. 2"

Interesting hardcore techno compilation (7/10)

Bloody Fist Records was an independent record label based in Newcastle, Australia. Bloody Fist was one of the most prolific labels involved in hardcore/gabber, industrial, breaks, noise, and related genres. Founded by Nasenbluten's Mark Newlands (formerly known as Stigs/TDU) in 1994 as a platform for local artists, the label initially began distributing cassettes and moved on to become a major label in the hardcore techno scene. Newcastle Hardcore Vol. 1 & 2 [1994] was a first vinyl release of this label, presenting a compilation of artists from the local Newcastle hardcore techno scene. Vol. 2 supposedly contained 7 tracks from 6 acts. The version I had a chance to listen to included only 5 tracks: a1 - The Shaftman - Shaftman a2 - Xylocaine - Luftwaffe a3 - Pendulum - Uncle Sam b1 - Overcast - Rougher b2 - Syndicate - M'shit Hardcore

The album is very interesting, as they all are quality offerings, and although I personally dig only two of them, the compilation remains a proof that the guy behind Bloody Fist knew what he was doing right from the start.

My favorites are Pendulum - Uncle Sam and Overcast - Rougher, two fast pieces reminding me of The Prodigy from the Experience period. Even if they are not the most original songs ever recorded, they are catchy, energetic and never venture near the border of plagiarism.

The other three do not fit my taste, being comprised almost exclusively of samples from other songs or speeches mixed with extremely fast techno-style drums. This is not creative, this is not catchy, this is not original, this is not anything interesting - for me this type of hardcore techno is totally boring. Still, I guess all three acts are good at what they are doing, so for the purpose of such a compilation they are suitable.

I guess this album is very rare now, but if you happen to run into it somewhere along the links, be sure to check it out, if you are a fan of hardcore techno / breakcore. And do not forget to visit the official Bandcamp website of Bloody Fist Records, where you can listen to and buy some other releases from this label.

Vaka Foam - "Scary Winter" [EP]

Mixing rock with electronica still rulez (8/10) A musician (guitar), a producer (d'n'b/experimental) and a DJ (d'n'b). Listen to my music to find out who I am. Drum & bass heavily influenced by rock and industrial. I guess the style is called "hardcore techno" or "breakcore". But who cares for such detailed labeling? Let's say it's a distorted guitar (or guitar samples) wreaking havoc on some electronic background. Interesting samples, creative compositions, great mix. Cool industrial atmosphere. I'm off headbanging. See ya!

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