Brutal-8-E - By Altern-8
TITLE: Brutal-8-E
ARTIST: Altern-8
GENRE: Breakbeat / Techno / Acid
MOOD: Energetic
SIMILAR TO: Hyper On Experience, Rufige Kru
If there is one group that wholly encapsulated the early nineties rave scene - it is Altern-8. From their hazmat suits & yellow masks, indulgent ‘8’ puns and pop up dances, they brought rave to the general public.
"Brutal-8-E" (Brutality) is the tenth track from their 1992 album Full On… Mask Hysteria. The plucky opening melody, and consequently, the title of the track - is drawn from the 1986 house tune “Let’s Get Brutal” by Nitro Deluxe. Altern-8, however, substantially beefs up the sample. The duo added the Humpty Dump breakbeat, an acid bass rhythm, and a soul vocal that polishes off the hard techno roughness. The track reaches its zenith at the inclusion of a staccato choral rave stab, played in parallel to the rhythm of the breakbeat. The composition of "Brutal-8-E" seems almost haphazard, being collaged from such disparate sources. In spite of this, the final product is an impressive and monumental dance anthem that holds up over twenty five years later.