Published by Davide Pappalardo on December 4, 2017
Gatto Nero is the new side-project by Herman Klapholz a.k.a Ah Cama-Sotz, one of the leading names in the roster of HANDS. Whereas he has always explored the world of experimental electronics with his main project, moving between dark ambient, drone, rhythmic noise, dub, and so on, in A_Drum he plays with techno leaving aside the esoteric and dark themes of Ah Cama-Sotz. Of course we can find a rhythmic essence typical of the HANDS sound, but whoever will think about a menacing or harsh work would be mistaken. The four-to-the-floor is the main theme of this straight and in-your-face album, made of ten danceable tracks. Said that, we will always find the craft and skills of a veteran of electronic music enjoying himself in an almost playful, but never naive, manner.
Away starts the fireworks with its almost tribal rhythm characterized by an acidic atmosphere. Then, it evolves in a cybernetic and enthralling march obsessed by effective loops. The title track plays with steel-like drums and fierce snares, growing in a hypnotizing crescendo, while Dead end core sounds like something from 90’s techno without any guilt or forced industrial element.
Concrete jungle follows its name thanks to a rhythmic loop full of claps and drums, and Dirt is a stomping number destined to conquer the dancefloor with its obsessive snare sounds. Kool kat employs factory-like effects in a sharp and mechanic atmosphere paused by disorienting sounds.
A fun no-nonsense work full of obsessive and hypnotizing techno tracks made fro the dancefloor and to be danced to. Klapholz shows a new side of his music aiming to make the body move without any pretense of experimentation. This doesn’t mean that the songwriting is boring or mindless, instead the musician uses his skills with the focused purpose of crafting dance music avoiding any current cliche. A must for any lover of techno bangers and dj looking for new weapons for his set.
Label: HANDS
Rating: 7