seven

MHz with its relentless nature of very unique packaging and collections of versatile electronic textures has always pushed an extreme sense of "artistic expressionism" in theory. the ideas behind the design and construction of the packaging have always had a significant correlation to the artists that appear on each compilation. this makes the entire piece a complete work of art on many levels.

this opaque black cassette is enclosed in a small and very conforming brown cardboard box that contains a nicely embossed MHz logo on the front and stamped tracklisting on the top inside cover. as usual the packaging shows "life" before I even start to listen to it.

on side a, MHz founders, klangstabil open this compilation with a live track from 1997 taken from the utlraschall in muenchen titled "tonische aktivierung." as always, this duo pushes another new sound direction that remains unique, setting its own standard. the track is composed of fun analog melodies that almost interact at times with the rest of the composition of drum-machine rhythms and distorted bass patches. radial gives us a taste of some video game-esq harmonies that jump around punchy static rhythms sever-delayed vocals stylings with "tribulation." cyberthreat closes side a with "e.d.v.", on which unmethodical beats are assisted with falling analog phase patches and flowing persistent melodies.

on side b, hands label founders, winterkälte open with "green war theme two (s.v.)." imagine compressed and erratic, militant, drum n' bass and technoid rhythms all in one; building upon each other as they ascend along while distorted liquid rhythms emerge in and out of its assaulting path. a nice direction that takes a unique side-step from their work on "drum n' noise" and "structures of destruction" and stands closer to their work on the hands 2000 compilation.

betriebsdruck introduces a shadowy and somewhat foreboding track titled "alpha brain." using deep heart beat-like bass rhythms and lurking melodies that are accompanied by transparent feminine spoken words that make it somewhat mysterious in nature altogether and makes me curious to hear more from this artist. diorama closes this release with a dramatic somewhat orchestrated electronic piece titled "boba." pacing and dense, bold drum structures that are interludes with very emotional words and melancholic piano chords present this piece as something that could be watched in a theatre. once again, MHz provides the open minded listener with six very unique tracks contained in one brilliant package that is a work of art in itself.