What a great album from Ed Rush + Optical -- I like many others have been waiting for some time for this album (or at the very least, this trademark older Virus sound) to be released. Mind you, this album is nothing that I would consider groundbreaking - not like Wormhole or The Creeps - but still a very welcome return to the older sound, with some updates to bring it all to the present. (Neuro and tech fans, unite!) To add to the previous review, Chubrub is a tune-and-a-half indeed, but there are certainly other tracks on this LP that deserve mentioning as well. Schranders Dice and Snaggletooth, especially Snaggletooth... just absolutely essential material, definitely an album that, like the other Virus material, I will be playing for many many years to come.

Having read the two reviews previously posted here, maybe it's by sheer coincidence that the positive review is based on the older Pendulum sound, and the less-than-cordial review of last year may be based on the newer Pendulum sound. Pendulum is not really drum and bass anymore, there's nothing really established to call them, as they do really have their own sound now. Some say it's good, some say it's complete toss. I personally like some of it, but wouldn't really include much of the newer stuff in a drum and bass set/mix. I would include some. That being said, Pendulum has done a lot for the drum and bass scene in a relatively short period of time, and for that, they have a fan in me, even if they have moved on from the scene they seemed so well to fit in... that's the part that's a shame for me, not that Pendulum changed/progressed their sound, but their refusal to take steps back sometimes. To those that "hate" Pendulum, just remember the first time you heard Vault or Spiral and how absolutely mindblowing it was at the time. Stop hating and just remember the good times if they don't do it for you anymore. Good job on all your successes Pendulum, you deserve it. Seriously. Despite Rob Swire's tirade on DOA a handful of years back.

John B. My thoughts: he's a musical genius. In my un-biased opinion, one of the truly underrated artists of the genre, if you can even pigeonhole him into drum and bass anymore. He has contributed so much to the scene as a whole (the Visions and Catalyst albums come to mind) as well as produced some of the most memorable pieces of music in the genre ("Up All Night" anyone?).

I get it. I get why some people feel that John B has "lost it" in terms of his musical creativity. He doesn't produce every track with the hardcore genre-snob drum and bass head in mind. I used to think that was a problem. Not so much anymore. Maybe that is maturity, maybe that is a change in taste, not sure. However, I can definitely sit here and say that John B is FAR from uncreative. Maybe you're not into this "electrostep" sound that he pretty much materialized on his own, or maybe you don't fancy his vocal work (I don't really either), but one thing you cannot call this guy is uncreative. And he's a pretty damn good DJ too. Varied sets, plays more than just run-of-the-mill drum and bass the entire time. I don't really care how much hate I catch for saying it, John B is an awesome producer and if more people would break away from the formula, I think that could be a very healthy occurrence for the scene.

Not exactly sure what's up with the complaint regarding the quality of this pressing. I have the full artwork release and mine's fine, so that nixes the "promo being better quality than the full release" theory. That being said, I agree with the statement about enjoying this release more fully listening to the 2 CD version. The Evol Intent mix is pretty good and is a pretty good representation of the label's sounds.

With respect to this release, I'm lukewarm about it. I was really hoping it would be something more along the lines, quality-wise, with "The Dungeonmaster's Guide" as that was great (!) but I can understand having these remixes on here as that was the intent I thought, to have a remix album... so Fresh's track feels a bit out of place here with the other 3 tunes.

The Upbeats remix of "Subculture" alone would be the reason to pick this up, as it is quite good, adding their own touches to update the original. The Counterstrike remix of "Extreme Steel" is pretty good too IMO - when I'm feeling like sounding more on the rock tip than dnb, I'll put this on with Concord Dawn's "Raining Blood" - ridiculous. Both of these are quality remnixes. To be fair, the Infiltrata + Hochi dub of "Barrier Break" is produced well, but it's just not my bag... I don't really like the breakdown, all slowed-down and what not.. sounds like complete toss to me, but I can see where some might like it. I just like the original and don't think this was a good re-interpretation of it. All in all, not a bad release, but certainly not one of the better releases on the label.

I'm really surprised nobody has even reviewed this album yet. Maybe it's because the CD and digital release came out for what seemed like forever before the vinyl release. Maybe because some may feel sighted, either for losing tracks on the vinyl release or that the pressing plant effed the track labels on two 12s. This is nothing new. My white vinyl repress of Talk to Frank/Electric is the same way. Completely ass backwards of the actual tracks on their respective sides. Somehow though, I don't think Guy or George produced great music for the sole purpose of confusing the lot who buys their vinyl releases.

That being said, don't rate this album or review it on the basis of you getting an imperfect copy. If the music is what is focused on, I guarantee you you won't be disappointed. This album draws in so many numerous influences, but the vinyl version focuses on only 6 of these great tracks. They're all really well-produced tracks with [what I think is] a lot of diversity in their stylings. They're all deep, but fitted for the dancefloor also. For me, I have to say it's all about "Emily's Smile" if we're going with a favorite here. The sine bass in this song gives me this rush every time I hear it. "Strictly" and "How You Gonna Feel" are some serious business too, but again, the album is rounded out by "Emily's Smile." Definitely one of the Cambridge wonders' best songs (that's debatable, I have yet to hear a shotty Commix song). This is, without a doubt, in the top 3 best dnb of the past 5 years, hell we'll even go 8. This album is going to be one that defies time, which is quite appropriate for the Metalheadz camp, innit?

I remember the first time I heard this in Tower Records (yes, Tower Records) I was blown away with how fresh everything sounded. We have all these components and sounds that are completely reminiscent of the older, mid-90's vibe, but such diversity that you really remain interested in the mix the entire time. Much like his mix for Breakbeat Science, this mix by Clever defies what most people have been playing for ages. It's nice to see someone embrace this sound and try to push it farther. A great compilation by one of my favorite labels.

All I can say is - damn - what a good long player this is. I bought this originally for "Rise" which is an absolutely tearing roller IMO. Heard it in a Breakage mix in late 2005, just the way it was mixed in, I knew I had to get that track. I figured given the Bassbin name, the album would be a good purchase, but I didn't expect it to be as good as it really is. All of the songs on this album are good in their own right, all brilliantly composed. Standout tracks would have to be:

"Can't Stop This Fire" by Calibre. This is arguably one of the most underrated tracks of his next to "Pissed Up Raver" (stupid no-all-caps-rule).

Seba & Lenk's "Every Man For Himself" with Robert Manos. I really dig this guy's vocals. Mind you, it's not as brilliant as "Make My Way Home" on Offshore or "Move On" which Seba released with Paradox on Hospital... but still a really great track.

Equinox's "Don't Wanna Hurt You" - Equinox is largely underrated in the dnb community, or at least by most accounts I can make out, so whenever his tunes are on my favorite labels, I tend to buy.

I can't emphasize this enough; simply a great album. Definitely pick yourself up a copy if you get a chance. Rohan done good with this one.

It was only when I saw that D Style was going to release the album in 3 parts that I realized I made a mistake getting the whole thing. I primarily bought this for "Get That Girl" which admittedly has a nice little hip-hop thing I throw in a lot to my sets. That being said, I can't really stand much of the rest of the album. "Borrowed Time" is a good track as well, likely because of Nick Sub Focus' contribution to the track. In all seriousness, Tom is good producer and I would hate to see him continue down this road. Nothing wrong with re-using some beats or sounds, but don't keep copying them in every song you do. What the hell is the depth and variety in that?? Seriously.... I love what he did with Buju's "Driver" but again... not a huge progression in the sound. No depth. No variety. If you like your drum and bass deep, NOT a purchase you should be making.

To his credit, "King of Africa" went away from the main sound he may/may not have been trying to portray in that album, but in no way does that constitute a "proper artist album" IMO. Better artist albums of 2007 would be "Call to Mind" from Commix or "The Emperor's New Clothes" from Klute. Just an opinion.

This is a great 12 if for no other reason than "Follow You" - mind you, "The Calling" rolls nice, very reminiscent of the Matrix and Futurebound sound (hence the Viper release), but easily a forgettable tune.

More or less one to pick up the dance (I think of Muffler's "Iron Tune" here, which I liked better).

"Follow You" is the crowning moment on this release. I really dig the vocal hook in this one. The only real gripe about the track is that the when the synth b-line comes in behind the vocal, you'd expect a bigger drop into a bigger drum line (at least that's what it sounds like to me). Still a solid tune, I enjoy playing this with other Viper material as well as "good Pendulum." Recommended.

By far, one of the best Wax Doctor/Alex Reece collaborations of its time, right up there with Magnum Fusion (another one in the collection). Rapier still kills it IMO, I've used this in numerous sets. Biophonic is a great tune in and of itself as well. For the US dnb heads, you may recognize Biophonic off of DJ Dara's CD "From Here to There" (great mix CD.. it's mislabeled on the CD as Rapier). Definitely brings back memories every time I play it. Quality tuneage.