Steve Hadfield and Sunbane Battle Royale EP Disintegration State | The Electro Review

Steve Hadfield and Sunbane
Battle Royale EP
Disintegration State
TBR: 3rd May


Label boss Steve Hadfield has joined up with the master of mayhem Sunbane to let off a rocket split EP. Battle Royale continues the theme of dystopian society with the soundtrack of experimental and atmospheric electronic sounds. The Disintegration State label is planning a barrage of collaboration releases of which this is the first. Inspired by the film in which school children are shown a video about the horrors of life on the school yard and beyond, preparing people for disaster is the soup of the day.


It begins with a ghastly open sound of echo and reverb. Breath amplified across acres of metallic sheeting gives way to a staggering kick and snare rhythm. Not far behind is a warbling bass line that fuzzes and breaks like a lapping ocean beneath an icy surface. Digital fills and drums combine to wash away the crud from the metallic walls revealing shiny and luminescent surfaces. These reflect our face and distort our image into various nightmarish forms before the lights swing around to show us interesting things in the distance. We walk on through Sunbane's Battle Royale, finding our way through the unusual and almost alien surroundings. Rampant drums and dancing bass-lines work magic with random inclusions of computer noises and failing mechanics.


The next number starts with savage drumming. Broken beats and reverberating undertones loop together to form a Frankenstein rhythm that stands up and starts to walk. Roused from eternal slumber, the maniac waveforms bounce from one side to the other. As they progress and evolve through the timing of the track,they drag with them subtle effects and sound experiments that clutter and clamour secretively behind the main driving pace of the mix. Whistling tones and sub bass growls hand in hand walk through the neat chaos that opens out before us. Serenity by Steve Hadfield starts with a ruckus and gradually rolls out into a smooth and sonically delightful wander.


Steve Hadfield returns on track three, this time reworking the magic of Sunbane's opener, Battle Royale. Distorted vocals crumble together with pounding drums, volume on the echo and the snap brings out a highly treble heavy element that pierces and screams through the joined pieces. Wavelengths bend and warp under their own pressure while repeating elements of emotion and intent attempt to break free from the cacophony. Seriously intense, static sounds and kinetic fills grow in pressure while extra layers continually find their way into the mix. Raising the bar in our head, on the desk, and for the label.


Warm and upbeat party melodics enter for the final number. Catchy drumming compliments the harmonies while soaring pads fill the whole track with air. Bass drops catch the falling particles and inclusions of effect and revs to the synths give sparkle and flow to the melody. Fast paced and evolving with each bar, this Sunbane remix of Serenity makes use of the original and then pushes all the subtleties into the main stage. Turning the track inside out to reveal its inner workings has broken down the starkness and added an element of fun. It's a dynamic shift from one end to the other without moving anything in particular. Life is like that too, sometimes.


You can buy Battle Royale by Steve Hadfield and Sunbane on Bandcamp


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