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Space Sentinelz / Murray & AJD
» Twistedtraxx - Volumes 8, 9, & 10
Reviewed by glen gavin
/ Submitted 10-02-04 23:57
Label: Twistedtraxx
Format: CD-R
Genre: HARD HOUSE
Amongst others, this week's selection of promos and new releases has yielded this 6 track promo from Twistedtraxx. It features all the tracks from Volumes 8, 9, & 10 in the Twistedtraxx series. I decided they were definitely worth a closer look. All tracks (except 1 by Murray & AJD) are produced by The Space Sentinelz.
VOLUME 8
"Pop & Squeak" is the A side and begins with a light, filtered kickdrum and an upbeat percussion sequence which gives the tune a lively, energetic feel right from the get-go. A series of deep, heavy kicks signal the start of a much tougher drum, giving the track a bit more purpose. Then a swirling, high pitched siren flails mentally for four bars, before the funky bassline melody kicks in.
The melody is made up of a low pitch synth stab tune and sounds wicked loud. There's a short break where the melody is isolated and joined by the vocal (the same vocal used in Ingo's 'Hoovers & Horns') before quickly being thrown back together with the kicks and percussion again as the tune moves onwards. The siren wails some more, giving a feeling of organised chaos just before the break.
The main breakdown builds gradually from a simple one tone chord tune up to a crescendo of nicely arranged percussion, awesome high pitched siren sounds. A timely drumrolls and a series of cymbols then signals the return of the funky bee-line, and the sirens arrange themselves into a cool rythm. The rest of tune is only broken up by the occassional re-introduction of the vocal as it digresses.
The most accurate comparison I can make to this tune is that it reminds me of some of Ingo's early work, which is a tribute to how well this track has been arranged. This is, IMO, one of the best tunes on the whole promo. It will definitely go down a treat on most of the nation's hardfloors. Quality Stuff  9/10
The AA side offering is called"Audio DNA"and is remixed by R.I.P. It begins with a fast paced, but quiet percussion loop before a driving kickdrum is introduced and a female vocal proclaiming "It's audio DNA......If this got into the wrong hands, think how dangerous it would be", invites a squelchy bassline into the fray. Before too long a hoover finds it's way onto every other bar, and some weird effects are used as the main tune is introduced.
The overiding sound on this track sounds alot like a muffled brass instrument which screeches over the hoover and makes the tune seem less dark. The vocal and effects are looped a few more times before the break, in which a sinister deep synth pattern is unleashed. The pattern plays across two bars and is quickly joined by a wicked, filtered, funky drum rythm. The break is then interupted by a 'spin-off' and a fast drumroll which introduces all the components back to the tune. The production remains crisp throughout, and the overall feel of the track is dark but somehow strangely uplifting at the same time. This is definitely one for the hardbox and does sound superb loud. In fact, I heard Cally & Juice drop this last Friday and it's definitely a crowd pleaser. NICE 
8/10
VOLUME 9
Side A is aptly named "Vengeance" and is produced by Murray & AJD. I say aptly named because it features the infamous sample of Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction speaking about his memorised passage from the bible, but I'll talk more about that in a sec....
The track starts with a tough, full blooded kickdrum and a faint, off-beat high hat which is quickly joined by a neat percussion loop, intersected with some methodical bleeping effects. A quick drumroll and a brief vocal burst from 'Sam' saying "I'm sorry, did I break your concentration?", introduce a bubbling bassline with lots of energy.
The effects and percussion are added systematically as the track builds, and a cool synth pattern which flows across each bar helps keep the track's pumping feel. The synth pattern is then changed slightly so it feels almost like the different segments are conversing with each other, before the tune strips down and the kickdrum fades out into the main break.
During the breakdown, the passage from the bible, read by Samuel L. Jackson is overlapped by a filtered drum pattern, before a storming hoover rythm is introduced which then proceeds to run riot across the rest of the track. When the kicks and percussion are finally thrown back in, they are accompanied by an off-beat chugging sound, which work very well together. After a while, and another short vocal burst, the synth pattern returns and the tunes decends gradually. This is a very well workded production piece with plenty going on. A sound effort from this pairing, and one which I'm sure will satisfy the majoriy of the tuffnutts out there. 7/10
On the flipside is a track by The Space Sentinelz called "Never Be Mine. The track begins with just a solitary kickdrum and relatively little percussion but quickly explodes into a barrage of urban like beats which give the tune a distinctly 'old-skool' feel. The synth stabs which form the initial rythm are deep and juicy, and really test the woofers in your bass bins 
The drums and rythm then grind to a halt and a string based rythm pattern is introduced, very similar to the previous deep synth sequence. A long drumroll and a female 'Never Be Mine' vocal welcomes back the tough kicks and original tune for a while until they suddenly break again for a longer break. This break is dominated by a heavy noise which sounds like it belongs on an old hardcore record. It reverbs back and forth until it develops into a two-tone tune of it's own and is joined by the kicks and percussion to give a dirty feeling track.
It has to be said that whilst this tune is 'different', it doesn't sound as smooth as the other tracks, and IMO it will struggle to make it out of the category of 'filler' with most dj's.  5/10
VOLUME 10
The first of the latest outings for The Space Sentinelz is "Suck Mother Fucker". After a brief percussive intro, the pounding kickdrum is unleashed. This track's intensions are obvious right from the start, with 'toughness' written all over it. The quick hoover sequence is constant and extremely driving. It builds with intensity as the tune progresses and more percussion and cool effects are added gradually.
During the break, a wave of synth stabs are arranged in pounding formation and used in conjunction with the hoover sequence to form an overall melody. When this melody is combined with the kicks and tight percussion, we are treated to a severe onslaught of HARDNESS. If you like it hard this is the track you'll probably play the most. Almost non-stop with plenty of action. 'Glazby-esque' if you will - Spot On 
9/10
The AA side is called "Evil" and starts in similar fashion to side A, but the off-beat bassline melody which slides in gives the track an altogether more uplifting feel. The percussion is again used very well and layered over an adundance of digital effects.
As the tune moves on, a fast paced, croaky rythm is slowly raised in volume and flickers across each bar at a truly manic pace before being suddenly silenced for the start of the break by a cymbol crash. A young voice proclaims "You're all going to die down here" before a crazy synth pattern stamps it's authority on the tune. When combined with the tough kickdrum, croaky rythm and off-beat bassline, the tune really rocks. This is again a very hard, pounding affair, and a welcome addition to the boxes of many hard dj's i'm sure. I can definitely see this one tearing it up LOUD! 8/10
Overall all six tracks which show true class from Twistedtraxx. None of the tracks featured on these volumes are for the faint hearted, but if you like it very tough then this is right up your street. Many thanx to Scott for the promo and congratulations to The Space Sentinelz on a set of solid releases. NICE NICE NICE!!!
Rating: 
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If you would like your tune(s) reviewed on this site or played live on The Bangers & Mash-Up Show on Worldwide FM please email Glen direct on nelg.glen@btinternet.com
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: space sentinelz on 11th Feb 2004 08:54.34
cheers for an excellent review.space sentinelz.
From: fellowdjs on 14th Mar 2004 13:08.05
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