Are you ready for some Aggrotech? I mean, are you ready for A LOT OF AGGROTECH? Well, if not, you'd better move on and read something else because this massive 2 CD compilation from Russian label Insane Records and Terror Night radio show is loaded with it, and 100% exclusive tracks at that. This is the second compilation in the series, the first being Terror Night Vol. 1: Industrial Madness'. Thirty bands from over the world appear here with their maddest synths, harshest vocals and most aggressive beats ever to pummel the dark dancefloor. Okay, well, to be fair not ALL of the bands/tracks are in this style-
there are a few less-agressive, non-distoro vocal acts, and that might not be such a good selling point for Aggrotech-heads. A good number of these bands you've probably heard of, and some are undoubtedly going to be new to your experience but that's what compilations are all about eh? Discovering something new. Space and time doesn't permit a critique of every band on the comp, but they all deserved to be named at least, so here they are- Reactor7x, Encono, Hell:Sector, Alien Vampires, 00tz 00tz, PreEmptive Strike 0.1, Angels Of Suicide, Kill The Sleeper, Asdeandare, Larva, Archazard, Psyborg Corp., T3rror 3rror, Schwarzblut, Technolorgy, nolongerhuman, DYM, God Destruction, Bleeding Corp., Reaxion Guerrilla, Viscera Drip, C-Lekktor, Thornsectide, Shadow System, Cygnosic, Benjamin'sPlague, Sleetgrout, Chamaeleon, Okkulta, Vault 113. Seven of these bands ware on 'TNV1' but obviously not with the same tracks. Seventeen of these tracks are remixes or special edits/versions.

Now Aggrotech or Hellectro never used to be my favorite sub-genre of EBM or dark electro, mainly because of the harsh/distorted/raspy vocals. I had a thing for actually understanding what the vocalist was singing. Lately though, I'm finding that I care less and less about the words and and more about the feeling when it comes to this style of music. I also believe there has never been a more appropriate time for Aggrotech, especially in light of recent events. Over all, it's a very good compilation. Still, considering personal tastes, some bands/tracks are going to resonate more with some people than others for various reasons, whether it's creative synthwork, beat danceability, or vocal style. I'm only basing my observations on personal tastes, so what really grabbed me may not be what grabs you. First, let's start with the best stuff on CD1- as expected,

Alien Vampires make a great showing with "Harshlizer" (Disorder Faith Remix), nasty but catchy; 00tz 00tz surprised me with "Ouroboros" (Vocal Terror Mix) as Krysta shows she can hold her own vocally with any other rasper and Nicky channels Velvet Acid Christ in a real dancefloor stomper; Cretan band PreEpmtive Strike 0.1 impress with some fancy keyboard work; really liked Kill The Sleeper's "I Am The Ocean, I Am The Sea" with harsh vocals that weren't difficult to discern and great synthwork to boot; T3rror 3rror's "The God Of Fire" (Terror Night Mix) was a cool change of pace with a neat creative mix, just what the
DJ ordered. Now for the dogs- Dutch band Schwarzblut's "Vogala" is just too weird with vocals that sound like they belong in a cough drop commercial; Technolorgy's "23" (Club Mix) has a good mix but vocals (in German) just sound too synthpoppy. Let's move on to CD2.

Best stuff first again- DYM's moody, but dancefloor friendly "aDeiu" (Terror Night Edition) is something to chew on; Reaxion Guerrilla's "Sacrifice" (Asinaptico Remix) is about as fine dancefloor fodder as you'll ever find; Viscera Drip offers up an equally appealing dark dance tune with "Aggrosex"; Sleetgrout's "I Bought Coffins" (featuring
Cygnosic) (Destructive Noise Remix by Nero Bellum of Psyclon Nine) is just about the most twisted track on this compilation; Chamaeleon's "Suppression" (Hard Balls Remix by [Sin.thetic Squad]) has a huge sound and a really great remix. The two tracks I couldn't get into at all on CD2 were God Destruction's "Redentor" (A.D.R.O.N. Remix), a nasty piece
of business with relentless machine gunning percussion and mental ward harsh raving vocals; and Vault 113's "Ami Go Home" (Original by Ernst Bush) which must have been some sort of joke. It's a European (sung in German) anti-American political song done in the old style but with a pounding beat. It's not the anti-American sentiment I have a problem
with, but this style of music just does not belong on a dark electro compilation, no way, no how.

So there you have it, a mostly pretty damn good comp with a few missteps. Limited to 300 copies, so get yours before they run out.