New releases last eight weeks: Hard Techno

Review: This new solo outing from Aussie talent Ad Nauseaum has it all - acid, rave, techno, hardcore and more. 'Omega System' sets a pretty brutal tone to get things underway with filtered synths and blazing acid lines searing about the mix over raw, hard, flat drums. 'Alpha System' is even quicker and brings serrated synth madness to video game motifs and slamming kicks. Last of all is 'Always Acid,' a track that was made back in 2004 but doesn't sound in any way out of date. It's another one to blow the roof off any party.

Review: It doesn't seem like the hard techno revolution is going anywhere any time soon. AnD (techno) is a label making sure of that and its sixth missive from the boss is another one to make the eyes water and the heart race. The white knuckle slammer that is 'I Got So Much' kicks off and then 'Screeching' does just that with a terrifying sense of anxiety and menace. 'Your Energy' is all glitchy sounds, squealing textures, hard techno drums and twisted sirens and the final part of this techno equivalent of a Monster energy drink overload is the rip-snorting 'On A Mission.'

Review: The DJ Producer goes in hard here with a special one-sided 12" that uses all of its almost 11-minute lay time to pack in as many hardcore references, sounds and motifs as possible. It is a head-spinning, ear-tickling medley of legendary status that comes as a massive tribute to DJ Hellfish and the 100th release of his Deathchant label.
It's an absolute bomb of a tune, packed with energy and intensity, rave sirens, caustic pads, distorted bass and chopped-up shout-outs. Brilliantly mad.

Review: Low Order returns with his sixth EP in five years and in doing so continues his exploration of relentless industrial body music. Things open with immersive noise textures building into the driving bass pressure of 'See The Land' which is reminiscent of Portion Reform's classic sound. Tracks like 'Angel Cycle,' 'Stand Still' and the title track showcase his unstoppable momentum and explain why he and his sound are dominating European clubs. The closing track envelops with dreamlike drones, feedback and distorted vocals embodying a haunting, gritty realisation. Though rooted in extreme styles, this EP keeps its focus on the dancefloor.

Review: Nantes-based producers Luche and Laton Rave, both rooted in the free-party scene and affiliated with Esprits Sauvages and Chat Manik, channel their underground origins into this latest Acid Avengers split EP. Across four tracks, they tap into the raw, hypnotic energy of early acid techno, weaving together influences from tribe, doom, and Belgium's old-school rave scene. 'Pain Bird' and 'Some Days Don't Exist' showcase Luche's knack for atmospheric intensity, while Laton Rave's 'Celestial Bloom' and 'Hornest Revenge' push deeper into shadowy, propulsive territory. A dark, electrifying release built for all-night sessions under open skies.

Review: Rats On Acid's Triple A debut 'Burn Out' hears the occasional ear-amazer emit an ecstatic edict in acid hardcore, teasing out a sad but true fact of the post-industrial, post-post-modern condition: burnout. Ah, yes burnout. That tired old, laborious effect of overwork and overshot ambition. How do we combat burnout? First of all, redirect our energies to skanking anodes of acid hardcore, not overtime at work. The EP's title track is mad fun, bringing acrimonious acids and aerodrome reverbs, while 'On The Jazz' restricts the mix-space to a narrow shaft, up which a determined, high-impedant melodic current climbs. 'Turn The Page' ends on a strangely excited, cacophonous stasis; we're amazed this one was made recently, as it has a real convincing 90s energy to it.