Promo – Escape From The Hostile

I was fairly unaware of the record label, Junkyard. Even back in the day scrolling through online record stores, getting towards the end of J, the Junkyard records were cheap and sounded generic. I mean I roll my eyes when I see hyperbolic names for Dutch Gabber record labels, but you are really doing yourself no favours calling it Junkyard. Does Junkyard belong in a junkyard? I mean technically, is the music on the label..... junk? Ridiculous questions aside, clearly a few Dutch DJs in the late 90's were spinning the G-Shock record. Also the track in question is kinda hidden on the B-Side. Pushing the slower New Style Gabber sound, I can only assume one of the DJ's who played the record was DJ Promo.

When this record was released, Third Movement was travelling incredibly well after 12 months since its inception. Promo has grabbed Demons by the scruff of the neck and punched out a remarkable remix. The remix is bookended by these dainty plodding beats, though softer in sound there's still some trepidation attached to them. Also these beats are lovely to DJ with, mixing in and mixing out of this remix can be quite fun. As you hear the darkness hover over the beats, this leads to the larger breakdown, though the remix doesn't sit still for long. The demonesque sample from Demon City Shinjuku is effective, adding to the dark nature of Promo's remix. And then all hell breaks loose, a ferocious kickdrum transforms everything with that alarming aahhh alarm sound effect constantly looping over the remix. Always liked at every 32 beats that short drum roll that I always nod my head to, and that out of place stab at 2:47 mins, like the remix hangs in the air for half a second before descending back into chaos. At exactly the 3 minute mark, is an even louder kickdrum that is fucking superb! There is a brief respite in proceedings before the remix kicks off again. Here there's a squeaky sound effect, like somebody is cleaning something. This Promo Remix is such a great example of darker, harder, no nonsense Millennium Hardcore. While Promo is amazing at producing melodies, this remix is devoid of any lively melodies. The way the music was going in 2001 (big Trance triplet melodies), this makes this an important achievement. Another wonderful Promo remix, and is still played today. 𝕹𝖔 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖈𝖆𝖓 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕯𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉. Speaking of Demon(s)world.....

......There's a Endymion Remix casually hanging out on the B-Side. I can't which record came out first in 2001, but this remix is in exchange for The Core (Promo & Catscan Remix) off the first Enzyme Records vinyl. The remix itself is consistent with the Darkcore Xplorers sound that Endymion were developing at the turn of the century. Dark, doomy, slow and a heavy atmosphere. Probably explains why this remix is played by Armageddon Project on that Darkcore 2 CD. The alarming alarm sound isn't as threatening but more electronic and the squeaky soundbite is played quickly giving it a more rhythmic feel to it. However, the damning indictment here is, in the Endymion DJ sets, they didn't play their own remix, opting to play Promo's remix! Having said that, I still think it's a good remix probably forgotten due to the other remix being vastly more popular. When Endymion signed my copy of this record, they added: Demons (World). :)

Promo has dutifully repressed the original Demons, considering the prices for the G-Shock record on Junkyard, thank you Sebastian! What's noticeable here is the bouncy beat used. High pitched with some filtering for good effect. It's a solid tune, but I think Promo breathes fire into every element of the original and easily eclipses it. But maybe that's just superior production, mastering and engineering.

Speaking of repressing older tracks, rather oddly Zekt - External pops up at the end of the record. Don't get me wrong, to have a classic Acidcore track on vinyl is a nice surprise, but why on this record? Anyway External is a beast of a tune, I can't imagine the destruction it caused on sound systems in 93/94. Even if you weren't going to parties, hearing it on Thunderdome III is such a pleasure. Dangerously delicious Acidcore from Denmark.

Escape From The Hostile really adds to the glowing discography of DJ Promo and Third Movement. The man was on top of his game, everything he touched was gold, even a Junkyard record. I vaguely Promo saying he wouldn't repress these Promo File records, so it ruffled a few feathers when he repressed this vinyl five years later. The fact Producer and Lenny Dee played this record speaks volumes. The latter would work with Promo to make similar music on Industrial Movement. The darker tone of this record makes sense when you this is 10A. 10B was the start of Rude AWakening, Promo's Industrial Techno project. It was so successful, it lead to the infamous Club R_AW parties at P60 Amstelveen. Like many Hardcore records from Holland, buy this for the Promo Remix, but there's some other goodies on the record as well.

Amazing record the Promo mix of Demons is filled with pure energy and aggression, always gets my stomp on

Top quality Hardcore producing! The Promo mix blows them all away tho.!
Dirty-azz tune; Mental-grizzly bassline, Nasty-crazy synth.! I can't see this tune ever getting played out, it's just too good..! From the Legend that is Promo.!
True hardcore mastermind, LOVE HIM.!