Fear And Loathing For Dummies

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In the new movement of abstract, heavily distorted hardcore electronica (aka breakcore) there is not yet an abundance of 'essential' albums. The 'Essential Breakcore Releases' category is one dominated by a few compilations and, of course, Winnipeg's Venetian Snares. Well, add another essential release to the list as not-so-newcomer Fanny presents his guidebook for electronic disdain 'Fear And Loathing For Dummies.' Re-mastered and presented on CD earlier this year, 'Fear And Loathing...' is ear-splintering ammunition for fans of the heavy(iest) side of electronica. With his own unique perversity, Fanny offers no attempt at easing the listener into the 53 minutes of severity that await. The first 3 tracks provide a relentless trouncing of thick buzzing keyboards and a frenzy of distorted machine-gun beats. These 3 tracks serve as a collective highpoint in Fanny's calculated mayhem, especially the screaming static blasts of 'Witches.' The subsequent tracks struggle to maintain the malicious vigor of those first 3, but nevertheless manage to dish out many a jarring rhythm. Check out the disjointed drumming of 'Computers' or the consistent, driving rhythms and subterranean buzz of 'Carousel'

Coupling industrial tinged rhythms with an almost IDM sensibility, Fanny creates breakcore that is not as brutally cacophonous as might be expected and certainly cannot be dismissed as mere noise. The release is a fierce addition to an increasing arsenal of hardcore material, and certainly makes the required reading list for students of intense rhythmic mayhem.