Back in stock: Hardcore/style

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface marks but otherwise plays fine***


Kniteforce Records drop the first instalment of remixes for UK hardcore royalty Acen's landmark 'Trip II The Moon' series. Originally released on Phil Fearon's iconic Production House imprint, Acen's Trip II The Moon trilogy formed a crucial part of the hardcore canon. The first remix comes courtesy of d&b veteran Danny Byrd, who delivers a bassbin-rattling slice of choppy late hardcore nostalgia, replete with air-raid sirens, plentiful Prizna-esque wubs, and a rushier rendition of the famous brass hook. Next in line is NRG, who reimagines 'Trip II The Moon Part 2' as a vast, multipartite 'ardkore odyssey, sashaying between misty-eyed E-lation and punishing hoover beatdowns, before Glasgow's bounce techno innovator Scott Brown raises the roof with a typically rushy hard house version of 'Trip II The Moon Part 3'.

Review: The revered DJ Stephano delivers his signature unconventional style on this blistering new outing for Kiteforce and manages to skilfully blend and bend genres while maintaining a razor-sharp focus on fierce and innovative jungle beats. He is already well known for his unique use of samples and experimental formats, and again here Stephano manages to pay homage to old school jungle but also adds his own fresh twist. The result is Love, an EP packed with creative energy as well as plenty of clout for jungle heads old and new.

Review: OG rave producer DJ Terrace was half of the Hyper Crew with DJ Roughcut way back in the early 90s and it's clear he's never lost his touch as he continues to develop make his comeback moves on Kniteforce. As you'd expect, this whole EP is loaded with unruly breakbeat charm with big smiley samples. Highlights include the oceanic breaks and the pitched up vocal swing of 'Final Goodbye' and the snarling, hoover-blazed finale 'Toxic Rider' but the whole EP bangs like it's 30 years old if it's a day. Bumping.

Review: Word is from the label itself that this will be the last ever vinyl outing for this project. It has been a fun ride and one that has melted faces and busted bass bins since day one. Volume 5 from Pillz, whoever he/she/they are is a cracker: '1 Am @ Bagleys' is all old school rave with whistles, a madman on the mic, dusty and unrelenting breakbeats and plenty of sweat in the synths. It's a hardcore party like no other once the pitched up vocals come in and then there is no relent on the flip. 'Hardcore Confusion' is another one for peak time parties and fairground rides alike. It's thrilling, strobe lit hardcore madness with plenty of character.