dexorcist: rage signal

Dexorcist, aka South London’s Si Brown, has been at the forefront of the UK electro scene since the late 90s – running the seminal Control Tower label with Radioactive Man and producing as part of a number of collaborative projects alongside his solo releases, including as Kronos Device with Bass Junkie. His ‘Rage Signal’ EP, the first vinyl release on Ecstasy Garage Disco (following digital releases from LMajor and BufoBufo), journeys further back into his musical roots, combining his trademark industrial-strength aesthetic with elements of dub, bleep and hardcore. ‘Rage Signal’ starts the dance, blending rave whoops, slamming breaks, acerbic hoovers and vintage sci-fi samples for a track heavily championed by Local Group, the duo label boss Corporeal Face is part of. The searing bass, booming 808s and urgent bleeps of ‘Centurion’ then underline its gravelly vocal, which aptly attests to the roughness of the 21st century. ‘Don’t Come Cryin’ is another huge slice of thumping 140bpm rave-inspired breaks, Britcore vocals and urgent, winding melody adding chaotic force to the bass and stab lead. ‘Jah’s Comin’ closes out, a prophetic vocal, hefty sub, dubbed out horns and turntablist scratching heralding his arrival – while also signing off an EP that unites electro’s bass weight with the undying energy of rave’s early days.