Back catalogue: Hardcore/Style

Review: Throwback proto-jungle glitz from Noise Factory reissued by Kemet Music, the revolving-door ragga jungle collective mainly owned and operated by label owner Mark X. Just as it was with its original release on the label in 1993, we hear Noise Factory's original 'Can You Feel The Rush' - first surfacing on Ibiza Records that same year - followed by three stonkers from DJ, producer and emcee TDK. This is an EP that overflows with legitness, its liquid tsunamic runovers of energetic vibe pouring forth from NF's 'Power Mix' as well as the subsequent key-mapped demon choir hellscape, 'Baby Plane'. All tunes here bear that raw, much coveted yet never quite totally replicable rasp sound, endemic to the early-to-mid 90s. Feathers don't get ruffled as much as they do get ruffed, on the closers 'Illusion Of Balance' and 'Bonus Beat'.

Review: Brian Dougans and Garry Cobain, the masterminds behind Future Sound of London, return with The Pulse EP Vol 3, a reissue of their classic work under various aliases on the Jumpin' & Pumpin' label. This highly anticipated 12" features tracks that showcase their 90s techno brilliance. Side-1 opens with Smart Systems' 'Tingler' (Four By Four mix), a dark, sinister track that channels Beltram's 'hover' sound into a hardcore rave anthem. Indo Tribe's 'Owl' (I Can See You mix) follows, hailed by fans as one of the greatest breakbeat hardcore tracks ever made, a retro-classic loaded with chunky, energetic beats and an unforgettable sample. Side-2 kicks off with Indo Tribe's 'Bite The Bullet Baby' (Jacques Reynoix mix), another gem that blends early 90s rave energy with a unique edge. The real highlight, however, is Yage's 'Calcium' (Elementary mix), which first appeared on Future Sound of London's Accelerator album. Even today, it sounds transcendental and timeless, its melodic piano lines and otherworldly ambiance continuing to win over listeners. This EP is a vital piece of underground rave history and an essential listen for fans of early techno and breakbeat hardcore.

Review: Former Prodigy man Leeroy Thornhill delves into the contrasting energies of the dancefloor, crafting a four-track journey through hypnotic rhythms and pulsating grooves. 'Low 1' and 'Low 2' explore the deeper, more hypnotic side of techno, with their rolling basslines and atmospheric textures creating a captivating sonic experience. On the flipside, 'High 1' and 'High 2' inject a surge of energy, their driving rhythms and infectious melodies taking the listener on a euphoric ride. These tracks are a testament to Thornhill's ability to craft high-energy dancefloor anthems that are guaranteed to ignite any club. With its diverse range of sounds and moods, this EP showcases Thornhill's versatility as a producer and his deep understanding of the electronic music landscape.

Review: Snapping necks, frying minds, taking names - Thuggy Widdz is on an absolute roll this year thanks to his recent album on Western Lore, his release on Hooversound and now this massive four piece on the burgeoning Badlands imprint. You should know the vibe by now; brazen breakbeat choppage and high energy rave flavours across the spectrum. Highlights here include the walloping emotion of 'Whale Song' and pure venom of 'Archetypical'. Savage.

Review: This is the first full-length LP from DJ and producer Tripped, known for his hard, fast, raw experimental techno style. Despite having released his own music since 2004 - mainly on labels such as Industrial Strength, Motormouth Recordz, and PRSPCT - Tripped may never have worked himself this hard. On 'A Thing About Something', he stretches the foundation of genres like hardcore techno, breakcore, gabber and schranz into entirely new reconstitutions. Strange hardstyle kick armaggedons, serene breakbeat floaters turned creepy and pressurized chambers of claustrophobic doom ensue in an overall whirlwind of pure mayhem.