PLANETARY ASSAULT SYSTEMS Vinyl & CDs

Review: With Planetary Assault Systems, one imagines weaponry of celestial scale, designed to zap spatial anomalies, planet-eating worms and other eldritch horrors into oblivion. 'Reassembled' hears Mote Evolver boss Luke Slater follow up last year's fifth volume on the 'Deep Heat' series, and does well to mastermind the evocation of such numb horror, such gargantuan warfare. Made up of a throng of "reassemblies" by Oscar Mulero and Len Faki, as well as Slater himself, this one makes up part of a series also involving Chlar and Rene Wise. The alien sound design here is highly believable, with the new versions of 'Engage Now To Surface' and 'Surface Noise' bringing mucusy blends and membraneous bells.

Review: Planetary Assault Systems' latest offering, Deep Heet Vol 5 on Mote Evolver, marks a powerful return for UK techno luminary Luke Slater's enduring alias. True to form, the release delves into the shadowy depths of the club scene with relentless intensity. Side-1 kicks off with 'Clap Trap,' an otherworldly journey through techno's outer reaches with its uptempo alien soundscape and heavy, percussive beats that evoke a sense of impending destruction on the dancefloor. Following suit is 'Sidewinder,' a relentless banger that embodies the underground ethos with its intense energy and headstrong groove. On Side-2, 'Electric Culp' emerges as a peak-time anthem, its big, bold sound commanding attention and igniting the dancefloor with its pulsating rhythms and infectious energy. Closing the release is 'Grid Livers,' a deeper exploration into the darker realms of techno, with subliminal undertones that captivate the listener and keep them locked in the sonic grip until the very end. With Deep Heet Vol 5, Planetary Assault Systems demonstrates once again his vision of forward-thinking techno, delivering a visceral experience that seamlessly bridges the gap between the studio and the stage.