Clergy Vinyl & CDs

Review: The Clergy label welcomes back its main Cleric for a 30th techno sermon. It comes on nice clear vinyl but the techno served up is murky and scuzzy. 'Validation Machine' is a pace stomper with sheet metal sounds peeling off the militant drums and then 'Menai Bridge' is a locked groove for mind melting techno hypnosis with shuffling drums and tumbling toms run through with an undulating synth that has no start and no end. On the flipside are two more fizzing, sensory stimulating bits of techno suspense in 'Fixation' and 'Saber' with another locked groove sandwiched in between.

Review: Following on from his recent outing on a split 12" courtesy of Burned At Both Ends, Habgud now goes it alone with this new EP of techno firecrackers on Clergy. Opener 'Jaws Leanin'' is the sort of lithe roller with sheet metal snares and dark vocals that locks you in a good old heads down stompathon. After a trippy locked grooves comes 'Desire' which is another speed and effective linear techno pumper. 'Gold Hands' has a rugged and loopy design with vocal stabs adding intensity and 'XXS' is a final hugely effective tool with glitchy perc and drums that almost fall over themselves.

Review: Albert Zhirnov's back on the Clergy label for a second time following his debut last year. Once again he showcases a love of fad-free, straight up techno pumpers for the main room. There is a sweep-you-off-your-feet urgency to 'Switchback' with its hurried kicks and restless synth loops all demanding you move. 'Distortion Forge' is a high-octane banger too, this time with rusty metal peeling off the bulky beats. The energy levels ramp up through another high-functioning tool in 'Wooden Lessons' and the frictionless forces of 'Stoker.' Basements won't know what's hit them.