ARTIST: Lucidstatic

ALBUM: Gravedigger

LABEL: Tympanik Audio

REVIEWER: Matthew J.

DATE: 4-26-09

After establishing a name for himself through remixes and collaborations for the likes of Otto von Schirach, Unter Null, and Diverje, Alaskan producer Lucidstatic has finally gotten around to presenting us with his first official full-length, an evil and diverse mixture of thunderous drum 'n' bass beats and distorted rhythmic noise set off by moments of dark industrial ambient. While much of his work, like the stomping album opener "Blackout," is well-suited for power noise dance floors, even his hardest compositions are informed by a real mastery of atmosphere and subtle melody. "Unknown Test Subject," for example, uses understated piano and choir samples to add depth to its gritty breakbeats and rough-edged synthesizers, and "Inner Struggle" shifts from echoing clanks and thick distortion to more ambient electro rhythms, which serves to emphasize both the song's moody themes and its rhythmic aggression. Lucidstatic also continues his tradition of collaboration with other artists, with a third of the tracks on this album featuring guest appearances. On "Defiance," he teams up with Iammynewt for an exploration of complex glitch-laced rhythms and processed pianos, while "Headhunter" sees him working with Mono Penguin to create a raw, deliberately analog-sounding ambient composition. Aggressive enough for the power noise purists while rhythmically unpredictable enough to please fans who've gotten over the typical four-on-the-floor rhythms, this debut is sure to cement Lucidstatic's reputation as one of the hottest up-and-coming producers in the hard electronic scene.

Check out Lucidstatic on MySpace at www.myspace.com/dbit for sample tracks and more.