Narcotic Influence

It's no surprise that Empirion had this released as a single -- as a quick, definitely industrial influenced hard techno anthem, it's one of the best, with the slightly aggrieved sample from some anti-drug crusader adding to the weird hysteria of the track. Besides an edit and full version of the song, three further remixes appear on the EP, each one a fine effort from the remixers in question. Dave Clarke's mix substitutes different but equally aggressive, charging rhythms and deep bass moans, with a nagging treble hook as counterpoint. Kris Needs tackles the next under his Secret Knowledge guise, aiming for a slower, off-kilter funk beat approach at the start as well as a touch of Cocteau Twins-style keyboards as the intro. After a minute and a half, though, everything once again revs up to fine effect. Meat Beat Manifesto, meanwhile, fills things out with a trademark hyperactive, shuddering hip-hop revamp from Jack Dangers, keeping the original core synth squelches and amping up their power considerably.