Rubix Qube - Saturate EP

[Trance2MoveU]

 

Artist: Rubix Qube

Title: Saturate EP

Label: MMD Records

Date: December, 2010

 

1. Saturate

2. Konan The Barbarian (feat Xatrik)

3. TIA (feat. Luna)

4. The Full Moon (feat Rabdom L & Luna)

5. Maximal - Soundproof

I went EP shopping the other day and came across this delightful little gem. We all know Nexus Media and Timecode are the creme de la creme of South African psytrance, but this little label should not be overlooked. Producing the same high energy dark themed music as the the other two, Mind Manipulation Device Records brings forth an EP by Rubix Qube otherwise known as Kieron Grieve. Even his name is dark. Having released Ulterior Motives last year let me tell you he brings an ass kicking wherever he goes. You can find that review here.

 

Saturate- Holy crap this is massive. It's like Synsun scored the Terminator. A symphonic intro gives way to eerie strings and laser bursts with acid overtones. Heavily groovy with multiple layers right into a post apocalyptic break. The cover says Rubix, but it looks more like the Hellraiser one and that is the vibe I'm getting as it waylays an entire city. Twisted synths and lasers blare above a frenetic bass line. Superb beginning man...we are on some super hero type sh*t here...

Yeeesh...maybe a little bit more super...

 

Konan The Barbarian- "Now they will know why they are afraid of the dark."

 

A teamup with 2 of my favorite psytrance artists? Yes please. The intro is evil to the bone as synths wail and acid drips with hopelessness. Moaning sirens and moaning voices scream above a very angry bass line. If the first track was massive then this is massive times ten. There is loads of atmosphere here to enjoy as the track is thicker than pea soup. The tempo change brings a guitar lick that works very well and actually goes on for a while. Leads screech as they try in vain to escape their prison and eventually it returns to 4/4 time. If you like Conan samples then you will like this. Also instead of just following the generic 4/4 playbook, they do different things to break up the beat. Awesome.

 

TIA- What do you suppose that means? I don't know who Luna is but whoever it is makes a powerful track for sure. Darkness reigns, as thick strings flow amidst filthy leads. Acidic melodies prance about like Satan's children under the weight of layers of sticky goodness. It's evil, no question about that. The break unfurls more sinister sounds and let me tell you this is a joy to listen to. Dark and danceable. Keep it up!

 

The Full Moon- More cyber evilness as these people wield a wicked bass line. It has gravitas, nut crunching power. Scratchy sounds and computer choppiness blanket this thing and gives it a Matrix feel. But on steroids. After 6 Red Bulls. The lead has a haunted house vibe and other synth sounds remind me of the harshness of Frozen Ghost. A little slower but still highly enjoyable.

 

Maximal- "Perhaps you'd better start from the beginning."

 

Dude, this is on constant repeat so no problem. Is this an alias? Perhaps his downtempo or tech-trance project. The beat is a wall of sound as the bass wobbles below more synth madness. It's got a slow swagger daring you to say something. I'm sorry did he just break out the funky stick? Yes...yes he did and he beat the living hell out of you with it. Damn, it's just inventive. Thick like your my friends porn collection and twice as juicy. He doesn't forget the melody as this creeps along right into a break. A guitar strums a small riff as deep sounds bellow. This really is nasty and if you're lucky you will get it all over you. Very Maximal.

 

Very impressive sir. If you like the Nexus or Timecode sound than this is well worth getting. It's fast and detailed, with plenty of groove to keep the hips wriggling. There is plenty of post apocalyptic cyber infused atmosphere to enjoy and he is definitely an artist on the rise. If psytrance is a weak individual with a grudge then Mr. Qube is Brock Sampson totally owning..

 

Beatport

 

Mdk