[TuneOTD] Enter Shikari - SSSNAKEPIT

Artist: Enter Shikari
Genre: Hardcore/Progressive/Rock

Location: St. Albans, Hertfordshire, UK

Label Type: Indie

Record Label: Ambush Reality

Website: http://www.entershikari.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/entershikari

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/entershikari

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/entershikari

Today shall forever be known as International Sssnakepit Day, for it today sees the release ‘Sssnakepit’, the latest track from one the best UK acts around right now, in Enter Shikari. It’s the follow up to 'Quelle Surprise' and 'Destabilise', and is a royal treat for the loyal lions. 

These 3 minutes of mayhem begin with an air of tension before gliding into some underground drum & bass and some wobbles with Rou acting as the lyrical MC. This is abruptly halted by the most eargasmic guitar riff and a build up to another bout of tension until a cry of ‘ah come on, just open the door’. Then BANG! It does exactly that, opens the door to a world of pure ecstasy developing into an eclectic noise of driving guitars and drums that even the screams of Rou can’t overpower. The sonic tempo is continued until the chorus subtly blends in followed by the return of that superb guitar riff. Then as if things couldn't get any heavier, the track suffers a hard drop to a heavy bass and the line, “yeah, yeah we’re nice guys…” followed by subsequent growls of “until we’re not!”. This brutal breakdown lasts until the switch-up to the chorus accompanied by an impressive hook and the ensuing switch-down to incorporate the group vocals, until climaxing just as it begun with some teasing drum and bass.

This is the first spoonful of the metaphorical trifle that is, the as of yet unnamed upcoming third studio album due for release in early 2012 via Hopeless Records. Full lyrics can be found here, and the official video below. Enjoy!

Matthew Evans

[TuneOTD] Armageddon Project - LIKE SERPENTS TEARS

Artist: Armageddon Project
Genre: Hardcore/Industrial/Techno
Location: Bologna, Italy
Label Type: Indie
Record Label: The Third Movement, Industrial Strength
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Armageddon-Project
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thearmageddonproject

Today’s tune is what I like to call a “marmite” song; you’re either going to love it or hate it. The title is 'Like Serpents Tears', produced by Armageddon Project, and taken from their 2011 three-track offering, No Hell No Dignity. 

The song is what can be described as five and a half minutes of pure ground-stomping industrial hardcore. The song is a simple fusion of the individual sounds produced by the shaven-headed Italian duo. It’s all done on their own software and extraordinarily no use of synthesisers despite the techno influenced presence. Like Serprents Tears is a demonstration of the radical evolution of hardcore music with a deep thumping bass and high-pitched beats.

Stefano Croce and Matteo Delgrano have been making music together since their first release in 1997, and with this release it’s easy to see why they have been making such a splash in the hardcore scene all across Europe. This track is proper dark, give it a listen and see if it floats your boat! If you like it, you’ll be addicted, if not, you probably won’t last much longer than about 30 seconds. 

Matthew Evans

[ArtistOTD] TrockenSaft

Artist: TrockenSaft

Genre: Techno/Tech-house

Location: Berlin, Germany

Label Type: Indie

Record Label: KDB Records

Twitter: http://twitter.com//trockensaft 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TrockenSaft

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/trockensaftmusic

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/TrockenSaft

Souncloud: http://soundcloud.com/trockensaft

Trockensaft are a production duo consisting of Pasha Joint and Denis Dandy, two determined young individuals who came together to create music in 2010. Hailing from Berlin, the name Trockensaft is a German term which loosely translates to ‘Dry Juice’.

Dandy can also be found under the DJ name LetKolben in which his music has based mostly around techno beats since he started in 2005. Joint is also a DJ coming from a techno music background specialising in techno-house. He also owns his own record label, KDB Records as well as being one of the founders of Project Access Denied. TrockenSaft is a wonderful combination of the influences of these two guys who are motivated by the challenge of creating new and exciting compositions.

The duo has managed to produce some proper cool tracks with effective use of samples and techno beats. They also demonstrate a vast array of percussion in their tracks creating some real positive clubby summer vibes with euro/samba sounds. The funky grooves show the house side of the tech-house feel into which they incorporate some great effects and the occasional jazzy breakdown.

Though what probably what makes them stand out more than most is their terrific basslines which they use to build up suspense and then drop it releasing an ecstasy of energy. The drums and synths are also used to great effect keeping their music nice and fresh.

In addition to their music, TrockenSaft are really into their fashion and this creative side is reflected in their superb artwork. You can check out many of their latest releases and remixes at any of their sites listed at the top of the page.

Matthew Evans

[TuneOTD] Enter Shikari - QUELLE SURPRISE

Artist: Enter Shikari
Genre: Hardcore/Progressive/Rock

Location: St. Albans, Hertfordshire, UK

Label Type: Indie

Record Label: Ambush Reality

Website: http://www.entershikari.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/entershikari

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/entershikari

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/entershikari

“Quelle Surprise”, a French translation of “What a Surprise”. In truth, there is no surprise, Enter Shikari have once again lived up to their very high expectations and returned with something completely unsurprising, an absolute banger!

It portrays everything that makes Shikari the successful band they are today. They execute clever breaks and loops, as well as a superb manipulation of synthesisers and keyboards, in what is another truly classic amalgamation of rock and electro. As with most of their other tracks, this doesn’t follow the generic song structure as the boys mash up with characteristic old-school Shikari breakdowns keeping you captivated throughout. This tune provides hardcore passion and power in abundance! Although the song is arguably not as innovative and creative musically as previous efforts, this is something they have sacrificed in order to give the lyrical content a deeper meaning and understanding.  

It follows the direction of things to come set by the one-off hit 'Destabilise’ released back in late 2010 and is Zane Lowe’s hottest record in the UK right now. 'Quelle Surprise' is the first single of the forthcoming album set for release early next year, the bands third studio album following on from 2009’s smash hit ‘Common Dreads’.

Rou’s hairstyle in the video leaves much to be desired, but that aside this tune is one which will undoubtedly be greatly received by the lions and if allowed time to grow, will become absolutely huge in the summer of 2011 AD.

‘Quelle Surprise’ was released on May 19^th, you can check out the video for it below:

Matthew Evans