Iermoc - Hippo Ep 2
[Hippocamp]

You have to admire Hippocamp's stance on music. After all, it's not everyday you get handed quality music on a plate for absolutely nothing. Alas, the Hippo's do, and they do it with utter style.

Iermoc's second release for the blossoming net label is an assault of scatter-shot beats, tight sequencing wizardry and dreamy synths that would impress the most avid of early Aphex fans. In other words it kicks ass like all music should. No pretension, blandness or anal hardware wanks - just immensely satisfying music.

From glitch and techno, to drum 'n' bass and the twisted, electronic hip-hop flavoured 'Last Night Alone', it's a glorious mess of noise and of course, obligatory floor-fillers.

The digital carnage closer of 'Ich Bin Ein Queenslander', is simply one of the finest tunes you'll hear for a long time to come. A ten-minute anthem awash with reversed guitar loops and frantic beats, it's a fantasy hook-up of Squarepusher remixing Four Tet.

The potential of mainstream status for both Iermoc and Hippocamp is screaming to happen. A step in the right direction from his former head-fuck, drum 'n' bass frenzy. It makes for yet another impressive Hippocamp classic.

8/10