Infernus – Funcore

As much as I do still love this record...it's one of the few old hardcore EPs where the dodgy production actually does get in the way. Normally this would not be an issue at all - if anything, most of the production "flaws" are really features of the style. Hardcore often sounds better with a rougher, more raw sound. But what's frustrating here is that the tracks all seem to be drifting out of time. Not by much, just enough to be distracting, like a DJ who's beatmatching isn't quite there. Mostly in the breakbeats, but also some of the stab sounds too, I think. Would probably sound fine in a more funky style, but not for hardcore.

It's a shame, because the EP is otherwise great. Especially the A side - both "Funcore" and "Hardcore Destiny" are otherwise perfect examples of that bouncy "funcore" style, with monster rave stabs a plenty, and "Want You Now" isn't far off either. The only track that's a bit weaker for me is "Happy Forest People" - which ironically is the most "in time" of the four tracks.

Maybe I'm being picky - there were plenty of DJs happy to play these tunes, most notably DJ Vibes at one of the big Dreamscape raves. And I do know how much more complicated and manual the process of editing beats & samples was back then. And I still consider Rondberg brothers (aka Infernus) among the best Dutch hardcore producers of the 90s, especially on the happier side - this was one of their earliest productions (the first two Smile EPs - which I also love - also have a few similarly wonky moments).

So despite all my moaning - I do still love it. It may be a flawed classic, but still a classic nonetheless.

Hardcore Destiny - quality track. Tick tock you dont stop

Infernus - Happy forest people for me one of them "best ever" tracks!!