Released
1998
Reviewed by
Kim
Alexander
Label
Catastrophe
Records
Contact
SMP
4505 University Way NE
Suite #572
Seattle, WA 98105
Visit
SMP
Last Edit/Update
02 April, 1998
Ultimatum
Pre-sampler tape -- selected tracks
Track Listing
1. Militia Love
2. Blackjack
3. Intensity
4. Electric Prod
5. Negative
6. Enemies
7. Game Over
SMP
Jason Bazinet -- Programming, Drums, Vocals
Matt -- Drums, Programming
XianDi -- Drums
My my my, what a tasty trio! Militia Love sounds great! Super sonics,
excellent samples and grinding bass and drumming! I LIKE IT! Interesting sound. I dont't
think I have heard anything quite like this, which is a good thing, because Militia
Love captures my attention and keeps it. What does it sound like? Good question. For
beginners, there are drums, samples, and a rolling quick 4:4 beat. Good stuff. More like
electro-synth now wave rock? The next track, Blackjack is yet another interesting
work, very fast in beat, great samples, vocals are pretty good, treated just enough not to
be annoying. I am however a vocal sample freak. Add those samples and I will most likely
enjoy it no matter what the type of music, however this track employs them in all the
right places! I bet these guys kick it hard live...anyone seen them live like to send me a
review?
Intensity is another super
track. Dark beginnings with this woman stating: "Welcome aboard ladies and
gentleman." Slurring into vocals and more good drumming, winding siren-sound faded in
the background, more synth noise samples, Intensity actually carries a tune, not
a bad thing for this type of music. This track isn't quite dark enough to be
gothrock, but does have the qualities of a certain amount of seriousness, yet carries a
bouncy atmostphere with dark onimous undertones. This guy says: "Who the Fuck
are you? FUCK YOU! Who the FUCK are you? Who the FUCK are you? FUCK YOU, and FUCK
your friends!" I also like vulgarity in music. Great track!!!
Electric Prod is yet another
tasty treat to my ears. It's a bit more on the rushing side of sound, and has an air
of immediacy to it as if something needs to be released, sonic tension, hard shifts in
keys, good drumming, and good synths/samples. Continuing on to Negative which
begins with more vocal samples, a darker stirring of drumming, clanking electronic
insertions, and a basic grinding feel to it. Nice!
Enemies changes pace a bit
from the previous tracks with an even darker sound, more samples of voices that yes have
some vulgarity in them, but I guess that's just the way SMP gets their point
across...again good drums, looped are they? I can't tell for sure, but there is a much
softer feel to this track, yet none the less interesting. Lastly, Game Over is
quite different still with a bit more "funk" involved in the sound/beat, more
sampled vocals which I never tire of, and that hydraulic injection keeping pace with the
drumming. There is also some harmony here, melded into the overall at times exotic sound
of the electronics.
This demo is just a taste of what to
watch for in a full length release on Catastrophe Records in 1998 by SMP. Thanks
Catastrophe, it was my pleasure to review this tape! And Thanks to SMP for creating the
sounds.
