Hansel : Reshaping Linear Formulai

"A grating mix of unpredictability that might prove too noisy for the casual listener."

One can not accuse Hansel of being predictable, let alone accessible. Like many artists on the D-Trash label, Alan Fux takes his project into the chaotic realms of electronic noise, incorporating elements as diverse as drum & bass, classical, hip-hop, and all points in between, producing a sound that would most certainly cause a few uncontrollable spasms in the uninitiated - whether those spasms be worthy of the dance floor or a trip to the hospital emergency room is up to the individual. With 2006's Lorentzian Lineshaper, Hansel produced a varied mix of abrasive electro that drew comparisons to Aphex Twin, although Fux's juxtaposition of rapping with screaming proved to be somewhat offsetting. With Reshaping Linear Formulai, Hansel's music is given a makeover by several of the underground scenes more adventurous acts.

"Hookwormz" proves to be something of a centerpiece for the album; from the acidic breakbeats and stuttering vocals of Phallus Uber Alles' remix, to the slow marching guitar chords and scraping glitches of the Black Market Arms Dealers version, to the ominous ambience and IDM beats of the ISV remix, each remix is indistinguishable from the other, indicating the well rounded sonic assault the rest of the album should provide. Staying true to Hansel's fractured brand of hip-hop is the Dramatic remix of "Generate Humans" by Evestus, as mysterious strings play counterpoint to Fux's energetic rapping and frenetic drum & bass patterns, while the epic remix of "Mind Control" by Not Half mangles classical samples with rapid fire breakbeats, stabs of 8-bit arpeggios, and splintered vocals that at times bear a resemblance to Tool's Maynard James Keenan, though far less emotive.

While Hansel is not geared for all tastes, this can hardly be considered a detriment as they seem determined to create a caustically challenging style of heavily manipulated harsh electronic music. Like its parent album, Reshaping Linear Formulai is wrought with liberal amounts of distortion, like battery acid being poured onto a circuit board, but it's not without its moments of melody to keep it grounded in some sense of the familiar. Just be sure to have some earplugs handy before you blast the album out through your headphones.