So, instead, here are our top 5 favorite picks from this label.
For these charts, we focused on releases from the "classic era" of the label only (i.e. from the 1990s). It would be interesting to do a top 5 with tracks from the later era as well, though. Perhaps an idea for the future.
5. Leathernecks - At War (Rmx)
Our pick from the very first Kotzaak vinyl - actually called "kotz 0" so it's maybe a premonition of the later releases on the label.
The story behind the track is well-known, there was hostility between PCP and Low Spirit (which was the German label with Westbam, Marusha, etc. that played a large role in bringing Techno to the mass-markets and mainstream attention), and PCP felt Low Spirit massively tried to get in their way by unfair means, so PCP retaliated with this diss track that has the words (or shouts) "Low Spirit... suck my cock!". The rest is history: ultra-brutal drums, distortion and gain to the maximum, a carnage of sounds and of sheer volume.
On the time of its release, this track was one of the hardest and fastest and blew the competition out of the water, more or less (and, let's face it, it's still one of the hardest!)
A good track to begin these charts with.
4. The Kotzaak Klan - Powerstation Kotzaak
Kotzaak Klan was a bit of a band / collective that made live appearances with the Kotzaak sound on parties and events. "Appearances" is a bit of an understatement here, as the Kotzaak Klan live act was a much more massive experience than the usual "Hardcore live acts" of that era.
This track is from the only 12" release by the Kotzaak Klan in 90s. The tracks on there definitely have a very "live" feel to it, a very straight forward approach, raw and unfiltered in a positive sense.
The eponymous Powerstation Kotzaak is our favorite pick amongst these. Fierce tough-as-steel drums, a general right-into-your-face feel, some nice speed changes, and very alien, inexplicable sounds and FX throughout the track.
3. Program 1 - World's Hardest MF (Leathernecks Remix)
We heard the story that this was the track that started it all, predating the label, and setting the things (or ideas?) in motion that led to the creation the label. Could be true, at least, the release of this track seems to have been earlier than the release of "kotz 0", but we are not sure, so we can neither deny nor confirm this rumor.
But even if this track is the "patient zero" of Kotzaak, it is far from being a meager or still-rudimentary effort. To the contrary, it one of the grittiest Hardcore tracks of the 90s era. In this way it already signaled the sonic violence of the Kotzaak catalogue to come - for which the label is loved and respected to this day.
A total onslaught of distortion and sounds that turn the "vocals" (more like screams), melody and drums into a grim wall of sound where each element bleeds into the others - and will probably make your ears bleed, too, on a loud PA.
Not for the faint of heart!
2. Jack Lucifer - 96 Knights
Well, yes, 96 Knights has to be on this list, doesn't it?
Likely the track most people would consider to be the best Kotzaak track, and probably also the best known track by the label.
And deservedly so! The track comes in 2 mixes that are not just different mix-downs, but essentially wholly different takes on the track.
To The Death - Mix: What is not to love about this track? A super-brutal bass drum, a synth-hook that would make zombies stand up in their graveyards, the iconic "Fist of the North Star" vocals, the speed of the track - that even gets doubled in some parts of the track. It's a pure Hardcore eruption that will fry your brain on the dance floor. And don't forget the almost perfect production qualities of the track.
Burn My Brain - Mix:
Talking about fried brains. While the A-side is most people's pick, the B-side is very interesting as well (some even would say: "flip side is better").
An unusual structure for a Hardcore track that is closer to a Death Metal production, with a sudden change of speed that turns the synths and beats around.
We dearly love the melody used here, which, apart from all the darkness, has almost a bittersweet, melancholic feel it to. Like reminiscing about a long ago affair you had with an undead girl once. Very intense indeed.
We also like the inclusion of different, broken rhythms in this track which add a bit of a change from the usual 4/4 909 productions other labels did all the time.
Burn My Brain - Mix:
Talking about fried brains. While the A-side is most people's pick, the B-side is very interesting as well (some even would say: "flip side is better").
An unusual structure for a Hardcore track that is closer to a Death Metal production, with a sudden change of speed that turns the synths and beats around.
We dearly love the melody used here, which, apart from all the darkness, has almost a bittersweet, melancholic feel it to. Like reminiscing about a long ago affair you had with an undead girl once. Very intense indeed.
We also like the inclusion of different, broken rhythms in this track which add a bit of a change from the usual 4/4 909 productions other labels did all the time.
The "To The Death" mix also had some interesting "unofficial" remixes over time that each put this 90s track into seemingly different time periods.
1. Stickhead & Don Demon - Conquer The World
You might wonder: If 96 Knights is on #2, would could be on #1? Is there a track you could like even better than 96 Knights?
Well, yes, 96 Knights is everything one could wish for, but we think this one even packs a bit of extra power, excellence, awesomeness.
We're of course talking about Conquer The World! This collaboration between Stickhead and Don Demon (who only rarely appeared in the PCP catalogue as a producer) is more than merely a Hardcore track; it's similar to a symphony. This is so much more complex and well-crafted than the majority of Hardcore productions of its era. Prolonged intro, speed changes throughout the track, various sub-parts, surprises, twists, new ideas. Definitely not your standard "Speedcore / Terror" track.
Add to this one of the best melodies ever used in Hardcore, and the twisted, nasty, ultra-bleak atmosphere of the track. And also add its sheer brutality. This is further enhanced by the multiple breakdowns and beat-less parts that give you a false sense of calm before the 909s hammer on.
Well done, Miro and Thorsten!
A track to conquer the world, indeed.
This was, of course, a very subjective list of our Kotzaak favorites (but we hope you enjoyed it nevertheless). In fact, there were many tracks that we dearly love but that we had to omit in order to make this top 5.
What are your favorite Kotzaak tracks? Let us know.
Additional links:
Kotzaak on Bandcamp: https://kotzaakunltd.bandcamp.com/
Kotzaak on Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/label/4048-Kotzaak-Unltd
1. Stickhead & Don Demon - Conquer The World
You might wonder: If 96 Knights is on #2, would could be on #1? Is there a track you could like even better than 96 Knights?
Well, yes, 96 Knights is everything one could wish for, but we think this one even packs a bit of extra power, excellence, awesomeness.
We're of course talking about Conquer The World! This collaboration between Stickhead and Don Demon (who only rarely appeared in the PCP catalogue as a producer) is more than merely a Hardcore track; it's similar to a symphony. This is so much more complex and well-crafted than the majority of Hardcore productions of its era. Prolonged intro, speed changes throughout the track, various sub-parts, surprises, twists, new ideas. Definitely not your standard "Speedcore / Terror" track.
Add to this one of the best melodies ever used in Hardcore, and the twisted, nasty, ultra-bleak atmosphere of the track. And also add its sheer brutality. This is further enhanced by the multiple breakdowns and beat-less parts that give you a false sense of calm before the 909s hammer on.
Well done, Miro and Thorsten!
A track to conquer the world, indeed.
This was, of course, a very subjective list of our Kotzaak favorites (but we hope you enjoyed it nevertheless). In fact, there were many tracks that we dearly love but that we had to omit in order to make this top 5.
What are your favorite Kotzaak tracks? Let us know.
Additional links:
Kotzaak on Bandcamp: https://kotzaakunltd.bandcamp.com/
Kotzaak on Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/label/4048-Kotzaak-Unltd
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