Review: I Hate Models - Spreading Plague [Perc Trax]
Hearing the words I Hate Models, and Perc Trax in one sentence is definitely something to get excited about. After the French producers last hard-hitting E.P ‘State of Control’ released in 2017 on Monnom Black, and past releases on ARTS, Voitax, and pls.uk, we knew we were in for something special.
Arguably one of the best techno producers of our time, with a palette unique and like no other, I Hate Models makes his Perc Trax debut with Spreading Plague. The 3 track hard-edge E.P dropped today, bringing us on a rollercoaster ride. Spreading Plague features 2 belters from IHM, both stamped with his trademark style of blurring the lines between harder genres.
Also included on the release is a very tasty remix of the first track, Spreading Plague, by the man himself – Perc!
Spreading Plague
'Spreading Plague' is a beautifully constructed, relentless over 9-minute long ‘rave’ track that grabs the listener in from the offset, creating manic tension from the beginning as the pumping kick drum resonates through the speakers. It is heavy and captivating. The introduction of high shrill sounds - which are commonly evident in all 3 tracks on this EP, and the distorted and booming male vocal fits perfectly into the chaotic feel as the vocal chants - 'North, South, East, West London'. Brain melting ‘clanging’ elements and rattling hi hats are joined by trembling acid sounds and stabbing percussion which are perfectly blended together. High shrieking noises and echoing, interchanging frequencies diving through different patterns bring the listener into a totally different dimension. Sure to fill any floor, this heavy track leaves no room for a breather – the perfect intro!
Spreading Plague (Perc Remix)
We are then treated to a remix of Spreading Plague from Perc Trax label owner and techno heavyweight - Perc! The track screams Perc from the get-go with heavy hitting percussion stabs rattling against a definitive kick drum. The percussion stabs gain momentum throughout, bashing around the place intensely. Sharp acid sounds and double claps create a real groove. The familiar 'North South East West London' echoes and is joined by a resonating low-end siren with shrill haunting sounds panning left and right. The track has a really good build up and then an extremely heavy drop straight back in to the chaos. An electric track, and exactly what we expect from a producer like Perc!
Martial Order
The third and final track on the EP, Martial Order is somewhat different to the first two. IHM brings the listener in a different direction concentrating firmly on the drums, creating massive energy! He doesn’t limit itself to any obvious genre, and keeps true to I Hate Models unique style. The track is fast paced, with a range of drum patterns pounding throughout, colliding with sharp cold percussion stabs. It has a truly contagious groove and dives in and out of interchanging rhythms. A haunting synth glides its way through. This use of melodic synths against intense drums is a common trait of I Hate Models, and one which has made his previous releases so exciting.
Spreading Plague is a stunning EP, it is dark and fierce, each track as hair raising as the next - three absolute bangers!
Available to purchase now on Bandcamp.
![Review: Ireen Amnes - Faus Nova [Instruments of Discipline]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bb4d63_ef3ff57fbfd646b2a6b6dec6d04e9564~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_38,h_37,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/bb4d63_ef3ff57fbfd646b2a6b6dec6d04e9564~mv2.jpg)
