Ignis Fatuus – Trishula Records

Another new label folks, this time dedicated to creaking nighttime music. For me, 2004 has seen so much innovation and excitement in this subgenre, and from the strength of this release I’d say these guys’ manifesto will place them firmly on the map as we head into another wonderful year. Zebra-N’s Slek is a no nonsense start, and a great sound: less thunky than the Parasense/KinDzaDza ilk, but definitely awesome with an atmosphere that builds brilliantly. Megalopsy’s Zactltopsitl is moody and lumbering, then Sungirl Exiter blows everything away… It’s incredibly tuff, according to the press release Sungirl is a young female producer/DJ from Russia… and on the strength of this belting piece of Viagra trance, psyreviews reckons she’d be welcome any time if she’d like her unreleased material examined. Now that we’ve reduced a frankly rather awesome artist to an utter stereotype, let’s talk about Manhunt by Vegetal, a bouncy groove with a spacious rockin’ bottomend. It’s utter killer, building into a thrashin’ mashin’ heavy metal riff that doesn’t even sound like a guitar. Exceptional. Mussy Moody’s Disconnected is a meaty and industrial vibe that has some oldskool goan tickles. Dronebixie’s Voluntary Intoxications is very disturbing, uncomfortable listening and is an absolute cruncher on a stick, and Derango’s Go Slo is an utter cruncher. Psyfactor’s Walking Demon is standout for me – an intriguing vibe that pulls you in, with an utterly killah riff that’s all in all completelt astonishing. No disrespect to the other tunes on here, but this wipes the floor with the lot of them. Finally PhasePhour’s 321 Fly… closes the album in style, building perfectly into a gorgeous, arrayed mix of belchy, fat bottomend and the cleanest proggy sounds you could ever dream of. Simply gobsmacking – as a debut album, these guys should feel thoroughly chuffed with themselves. Top class.