The first new X-press 2 tune for a while sees Rocky and Diesel stripping down and returning to the motivations which first gripped them as they cavorted in the eye of the original acid house hurricane before spewing forth no-holds-barred creations like ‘The Sound’ and ‘London Xpress’; namely maximum dancefloor damage courtesy of gradually building killer grooves and untold carnage in the drop. No star guest vocalists, or even name remixers, just heads down whoopee from the boys. Both tracks come in two versions: long and shorter, like a bison’s stiffie up next to a Rottweiler’s, each just as effective. ‘Opulence’ runs over ten minutes on a percolating tribal hypno-groove peppered with brass stabs and vocal shards, mayhem quotient escalating with the skilled precision of seasoned pros at instant strides-removal. The shorter version simply compacts the attack. ‘Down The Whole’ ups the intensity a tad over 12 minutes on its propellant web of bubbling percussion, razor slashes, whoosh noises and mangled vocals, again cruising to enormous drop and utter destruction. It’s good to have them back, older but still throwing caution to the wind in the eternal quest for the original acid house spirit of the floor going crazy. And they will, if they aren’t already. Welcome back to the house, chaps.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs