(August 2010) Electronic music is constantly being recycled. Bits and pieces are adopted and adapted into new sound frames. There’s room to argue about what elements make up what sounds, but most would agree that acid is classically made up with 303s, 606s, 808s and 909s. The latter three drum machines have been used in countless other electronic guises, but the 303 is the quintessential acid machine. Its squelching reverberation have been pitched back in ambient incarnations, the tempo upped or house and techno pieces. There is just something in the 303 that sums up the club side of electronics. A new label from Amsterdam, founded by Italians, is looking to acid and the 303 for inspiration: 00121 Records.
The imprint came to life from squat parties in Rome and a love of techno. Migrating to The Netherlands the label is now up and running with its first EP, Full Metal Acid. The 12″ is split across two artists, Acidolido and Mr Gasmask. Acidolido lends two tracks to the A-Side. As the needle drops on “The Pool Of Tears” eyes twitch. Speed setting, 33, make sure. Yes it’s at 33. Where’s the pitch? The lime green light assures it’s at zero. There’s only one explanation, yes this track is as banging as you and your amplifier think. Wave after wave of walloping beats over a Dresden deluge of acrid acid. Fist in your face techno. “Private James T. “Joker” Davis” follows in similar fashion, a quick build into a punishing bass with shrapnel snare and a convulsing 303. The A-Side comes to a hammering close with a short sample piece from Full Metal Jacket. It would seem that only the brave would venture forth after the abuse of Acidolido. The B-Side contains just one piece by Mr Gasmask, “Kramm.” The track is more 303 centric than the predecessors, with Gasmask tweaking the listener down damp dark pathways. The BPM has been lowered with the track having an early dutch acid kink to it, diluting some of the aggro of the A-Side.
I remember when I first started listening to electronics I got really into Rephlex, I guess it’s not a unique story. I was really taken with the early releases, especially Kosmik Kommando’s material. The Universal Indicator series was a kind of the Holy Grail of the label, mysterious EP’s rumoured to be by Rephlex’s founders. The Yellow and Blue EP’s by Dred were good, the Green and Red by Richard D. James were almost too raw and jarring to be enjoyed. Full Metal Acid is a blend of the two. Some of the tracks can only be described as crude and pounding, whilst others have a something to them. Think somewhere along early Acid Planet and Djak Up Beats made by the lads from the back of the class. Of course you can pitch these tracks down into something more palatable, but -8 is as low as Technics go and for this record, and for my sanity, this isn’t low enough. As your blood begins to thin from the bangin’ beats you’ve got to have a modicum of respect from these guys, flaunting the norm and releasing something parred and brutal. Full Metal Acid will either fill a floor or drain it. Personally I’d probably wait it out at the bar. Though it will more than likely go down a treat in a field, or squat. Nevertheless, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious to see what was next on the 00121 menu.
Full Metal Acid is out now on 00121.
