Columbia’s Ruthless Ghetto Records welcomes a new face to the country’s Hard Techno scene with “Cut 001” EP from up and coming DJ/producer, R66.
Ruthless Ghetto Records, or RGR for short, is an independent Hard Techno label based in Ibagué, Columbia. Created and operated by artist and multiple label owner, Bad Omen, the small independent outpost has exhibited a lot of growth since its first release two years ago. With a focus on welcoming new talent that share a common love of the aggressive side of Techno, the imprint has, within a very short period of time, proven to be a brand new hub for up and coming producers.
While the black and white photos for the label’s album art has stayed constant throughout all seventeen of their EPs, the sound of the music released has taken many left turns away from the norm. Sometimes featuring pure Techno, other times blurring the lines with hints of Trap and metal guitar riffs, RGR is by no means playing it safe. Their latest release, “Cut 001” EP by R66, however, is pure peak-time mayhem and about as “Techno” as it gets.
Starting off this three track EP is the exhilarating title track. A simple two-chord synth progression is coupled with a raw and grueling percussive suite at a dangerously upbeat tempo. Vague chanting can be heard meandering around at times, adding some much appreciated character and juxtaposition, but what really steals the show are the electrifying drops this track has to offer. Following a similar recipe is the second selection, “Cut 002.” Booming reverb on the kick makes this track sound biblical in stature, while melodic synth phrases wail, swell, and ascend. After an epic build up, this cut reveals an equally powerful drop to the first track, this time with more of a hypnotic, sonic aesthetic.
Last is a remix of “Cut 001” by fellow Columbian producer, Fēiteru. A spooky interpretation of the intro feels slightly more unsettling, but in a good way. An onslaught of rolling hi-hats come swarming in, bleeding into static, before transforming into what sounds like a frantic snare roll. In this remix, Fēiteru lands on a broken beat for the drop. Eventually, the remix builds toward a blaring interpretation of the melodic lead, only this time it’s far more disorienting as the drums continue to build up and hardly seem to relent.
Support the artists and label with a digital download via the Bandcamp page, linked above.
-Jeronimo Watson
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