November: 8 electro releases you need to hear this month

Altern-8 'Full On... Mask Hysteria' (Network / Blech)

The influence of early 90s rave and acid can be felt in today’s dance music more so than at any other time. Legendary 90s pioneers Altern-8’s classic album ‘Full On... Mask Hysteria’ was arguably the genesis for great British exports such as The Chemical Brothers, Orbital and Underworld to go out and take over the dance world. Marking 25 years since its first release, the masked midlands duo (aka Mark Archer and Chris Peat) have given the influential record a 2016 spit and polish, and it still sounds just as devastating as it did when it was first released back in 1992. The screeching airhorns, noodling acid lines and stodgy basslines of hypnotic cuts such as ‘Move My Body’, ‘E-Vapor 8’ and ‘8’s Revenge’ ensure they all still cut the mustard, despite the passage of time. Then there’s a host of remixes to further sweeten the deal, too: Shadow Dancer flip ‘Activ 8’ into a neon-clad acidic monster, while KiNK delivers a tripped-out minimal mix of ‘Armageddon’ that’s full of gooey melodies, chopped vocals and bleepy melodies. As far as remasters go, this is a must-buy release for any true dance fan.

9/10