The eighth annual state-of-the-nation address from Hell’s trail-blazing operation is the most ambitious yet. Two CDs running over two hours feature eighteen previously-unreleased tracks, eight new Gigolo signings and a smattering of recent biggies as a reminder of what’s been going on since last year’s collection. The styles of music at play here are wide and often surprising, but fall loosely into a kind of spikey electro-funked boogie vibe, with healthy dollops of punk and sleaze in attitude and subject matter. This year’s missile has many warheads – familiar names like Richard Batrtz, Steril, Tiefschwarz, David Carretta and Hell himself rub sequencers with new arrivals including Xlover, Bookhouse Boys, Oliver Hunteman’s Sweet Sensation and and Kiko. So, consolidation and future pointing in the same package, which will make you sit bolt upright on several occasions. Rampant expansion but no sell out.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs