Tuesday 20 July 2010

Bong-Ra - Monster

Just when I was getting worried Enduser was the only one still making breakcore, so Jason "Bong-Ra" Kohnen knocks me on my arse with embarrassment.

Sitting at the more focused end of the breakcore spectrum, alongside End and Jason Forrest, Bong-Ra's new EP is a breath of fresh air. The aptly-titled 'Monster' incorporates drum and bass, dub, breakcore and electro into a fast and heavy whirlwind of live instrumentation and programmed kicks and snares.

The first track 'Behemoth' does exactly what it says on the tin, smashing you square in the trousers with a straightforward ballbreaking wobbly bassline to break up all those loud, nasty snares. If you were a fan of his old productions you'll enjoy this and you will take note of the step up in production quality. Not that his production was ever poor, but the sound seems cleaner and more focused.

The second track 'Cyclops' is a more considered affair, using a playful string section to add a sinister veneer, bringing to mind Venetian Snares' masterpiece 'Rossz Csillag Alatt Született' and even Mr. Bungle. Once again, Bong-Ra demonstrates his ability to chop and change between styles with the minimum of fuss, whilst still retaining a unifying structure within his records.

Bong-Ra "Monster mix" by ad noiseam

Stand out tracks: Behemoth, Kraken, Cyclops

Title: Monster (ADN131)
Artist: Bong-Ra
Out now on Ad Noiseam

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