May 17, 2002 - Text: Sequential-X Photos: Naoto Hattori

New formed Greek experimental label Devic Craft Cordings has released it's first limited edition (1000 copies) compilation, featuring artists such as Rip Van Hippy, Silent Disciple (Ollie Olsen involved), Exotic Matter (Ray Castle) and Outolintu. Releasing a compilation with such names is an achievement itself. Add to that the fact that the label is based on Greece and you probably think you are dreaming. For our good luck though we are not. This compilation is real as you and me. The first truly experimental Greek label devoted to releasing the more psychedelic side of things is born. That can only be a bright sign for the future of "experimentalism" here in our little sunny country. So those of you that spend the best years of your life exploring the far out son. You should send a demo to Devic Craft Cordings, you will feel quite at home.

Allow me to do some humor tumor with this one...

Giannis : There is this guy from Chaishop that says that we are copying Texas Faggot, what shall we do ?

Spyros : Let's "borrow" from James Reipas the folk elements and the heavy usage of sample scaling and keep it Texas underneath.

That is the new installment in the Weird Alchemy Saga of trying to sound as a Finnish band. "Aftertouch" is not original. Not at all original... Come on guys what is the next level ? Copy Outolintu and change names to Spy Thick and Giannis Faggot! Sorry but I hate MONKEY tracks. I want artists to be original to have their own sound. Stealing some one else's sound is not a good thing. In fact its like cheating in cards. You win but u are still a lamer.

Rip Van Hippy one of the most talented musician's from the land of Kangaroos kicks off this compilation. "Bite Flower" is in typical RVH style one hell of a trip into Van Hippish melodies, tribal drumming and all in between. A fantastic piece of music. My favorite out of this compilation.

Follower is Spyweirdos (still copying Texas guys ?). One half of Weird Alchemy the best thing our country has to offer (at least on sales and releases) regarding the experimental side of things. Fortunately Mr. Polychronopoulos composes much better without his counterpart Mr. Spyridakis. I will not expose his sampling source just because "Soryps" sounds quite nice and relaxing despite its basic drumming.

Back to serious music now. Silent Disciple are Ollie Olsen and Yoram Cyngiser and have previously released music on Psy-Harmonics. "Millennium Drone" is a hurricane of crazy synth sounds, psychedelic arrangement and mad sequencing. This cut will certainly cause a major problem to the Dj that will decide to play it on a psychedelic trance party. Despite its un - dance floor - friendly nature this is a good tune but you have to give it the attention it needs to work in your brain.

Ray Castle's mind was way over the top when he was doing this. "Anthrotrapezoid" is one hell of a personal trip that is very hard to get into. Once you do though you may find the Easter Bunny Alice.

Next are Loopus In Fabula with "Funky Town". Matteo (very nice guy) and Jacobo have reworked this disco classic with its famous guitar lick. Typical Loopus sound with amazing layers of effects and sequencing. I am not a very keen fan of their sound but I have to say that they are very good in what they are doing.

Mmmm... The press release says that this is Devic Craft's answer to Aphex Twin. As much as I like Phill Thomson I would never dare to such a comparison. It is totally unfair. Comparing electronica's most talented man (Richard James) with Phill Thomson (a great but in a very different style producer) isn't a bright thing to do, even if the Spaz-Tek side of Phill is closer to the sonic experiments of Aphex. Anyway the track is typical Spaz-Tek with 2-step drumming and distorted ala "Come to Daddy" melodies. An overall good track that could alienate some people with its brutal approach.

Follower track is RVH remix on "Phoenix" by Omm Squad. I thought I would never say this but "Phoenix" is probably the only track from Rip that (I believe) doesn't much his quality standards. Next is a personal favorite Finnish producer of mine. Outolintu releases once again a psychedelic breakbeat driven track that has the ability to lock you on a truly mind expanding state. Sienis and his Itchy Foot are next. "Feel The Power Of My Itchy Foot" is not bad at all. A phat sounding heads up track that could rock the floor on the late hours.

This compilation is concluded by Poly 61 with the fantastic "Out Here We Aren't...". Dunno what the title means but this is one of the best melodic trance tracks ever heard in my life. Enormous on the morning hours. My overall verdict is... Well there is no overall verdict. These guys are from Greece and need our support in order to keep releasing interesting sounds. So go and get some.

Tracklisting :

01. Rip Van Hippy - Bite Flower
02. Spyweirdos - Soryps
03. Loopus In Fabula - Funky Town
04. Spaz-tek - 18u
05. Weird Alchemy - Aftertouch
06. Silent Disciple- Millennium Drone
07. Exotic Matter - Anthrotrapezoid
08. Omm Squad - Phoenix (RVH Rmx)
09. Outolintu - 8-bit Flying Dutchman
10. Sienis - Feel The Power Of My...
11. Poly 61 - Out Here We Aren't...

DCC001 2002 ©.