Modulate – Detonation

Detonation is a collection that blends all Modulate’s major influences. There are elements of dance, electronica and industrial. There are commercial moments and there are moments that will suit every facet of alternative. This is a proud body of work that challenges the electronic music blueprint and, is a strong signal of intent.

 

Opening track (apart from the short Intro) Buzzsaw embodies Lee’s passion for a driving and powerful beat which sticks in the memory for hours after you’ve finished punching the air in time. It’s because of this that the opener and the pounding follow-up Revolution would not look out of place on a rock club floor alongside Modulate headquarters in Mutate at The Wendy House. Hard And Dirty works on a similar level to material from Faderhead and fellow Northerners UberByte. It is repetitive, heavy, and completely addictive. This kind of effort with its roots in hard dance will perhaps help to usher in a new wave of British cyberpunk. The cover of No Good is a more soulful and calculated take on The Prodigy’s trademark version, but no less catchy. Raising Lucifer by contrast is ferocious in delivery and the vocals sound heavy as hell. It’s part Crystal Method and part Ministry, a standout that wholly represents the artist’s ability to create varied and relevant material.

Skullfuck is now a dark electro anthem, and it fits in perfectly with the other music on the album, but it is by no means the best song on here. Tweekin N Funkin will show any doubters that there is so much more to Modulate than a simple headfuck. This tune is pure techno, reminiscent of The Chemical Brothers and it holds in it all of the outfit’s potential to break into the mainstream as the soundtrack to your most chaotic night and the most satisfying hangover. Bass Alert is already doing the rounds in various Northern clubs. It’s a more mature successor to Skullfuck but includes the same naughty beats to make you sin and love it. Final track Drop, despite its length has enough substance within its spiky pace and tone to keep your arms and legs flailing for the full six minutes. A proper club filler to finish off a fine debut.

In FLAC you lucky lucky people