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| Historic Photograph |
The French Maestro in the history of hardcore techno: meet Guillaume Leroux - aka Lunatic Asylum, aka Dr Macabre, aka Renegade Legion... well, the list is endless!
Very influential in the development of techno music, and a creative powerhouse right from the start. His first releases were still tied to the emerging techno, acid, and trance scenes - released on legendary french label FNAC in 1993. Eventually, the PCP crew discovered his core-y talent, put their mental grip on him, and added Monsieur Leroux to their artist rooster. And as far as I know, beyond Marc, Miro, and Thorsten, he has the most releases in the PCP catalogue - so I guess he could be considered to be a type of core member of PCP.
The 90s have faded, but Guillaume is still around - creating wonderful music, and wonderful AI art!
Check these links if you are interested in a few of his new projects:
https://linktr.ee/drmacabre
https://sanctum-official.bandcamp.com/
But for now, let's take a look at some of his past marvels:
1. Lunatic Asylum - The Meltdown
Released under the Lunatic Asylum moniker, this was his break-out hit, and became a worldwide success. Adjacent to the techno-trance-rave sound of the 90s (especially it's german variant), it's actually quite hardcore already. Mr. Leroux once told me the sales of this release still "fills his fridge" to this day.
https://headshotrecords.bandcamp.com/track/the-meltdown-2021-remastered
2. Lunatic Asylum - Gobots
one of his earliest outputs, and i never heard a track like this elsewhere. it's techno, yes, but it also reminds me of french surrealist / fantastic art - think jean giraud or rené laloux turned into soundscapes.
https://www.discogs.com/release/114720-Lunatic-Asylum-Techno-Sucks-Vol-1
3. Renegade Legion - Torsion
reminiscent of a star wars walker moving ahead on the battle fields, each step creating a thunderous sound, while the fight goes on.
but then, again... "we are not alone. someone out there likes us!"
https://www.discogs.com/master/1158250-Renegade-Legion-Dark-Forces
4. Frozen & Dr. Macabre - Dimension of the doomed
one of the only collaborations miro aka frozen ever did with another artist. and this is one of the best and earliest doomcore tracks ever!
https://www.discogs.com/release/345652-Dr-Macabre-Chronique-DUne-Mort-Annonc%C3%A9e
5. Sl*t Burger - This is f*cked
this sound is fucked up indeed - in the most delightful way. aggressive early speedcore terror.
https://www.discogs.com/release/113492-Slut-Burger-This-Is-Fucked
6. Negative Burn - Gates of heaven
if the term "bittersweet" ever made sense, it's on this track. heavenly, redeeming, lush ambient and trance pads meet kicking drums - and everything drowns in the most wonderful melancholy. "i haven't been human for 200 years", indeed.
https://hauntedhouserecords.bandcamp.com/track/gates-of-heaven
7. French Connection - French connection
a gabber stomper of the highest degree! when did the bass ever hit so hard (and low?). the psychotronic love commandos have come and are here to stay - because "anything is possible!".
https://hauntedhouserecords.bandcamp.com/track/french-connection
8. Dr. Macabre - Kiri Kudashi
ouch! leaving the four to the floor pattern for a while, this track is sure to land a straight blow on your face with its sheer distortion and aggression. we love it, and the dark synth melody adds to the doomed adrenaline.
https://www.discogs.com/release/232258-Dr-Macabre-Autopsie-En-R%C3%A9-Mineur
9. Manga Corps - First wave
the first, but surely not the last wave? this track is defined by alien, extraterrestrial sounds... almost like "outer space trance" - until the hardcore bass comes in after all.
(A collaboration effort with Manu le Malin).
https://industrialstrengthrecords.bandcamp.com/track/first-wave
10. Dr Macabre - Poltergeist
his biggest hit! it actually turned the gabber scene around. released at a time when 180-200 bpm core was the norm, it helped start a move towards slower sounds again.
it's also a track that focuses on atmosphere and mood for once - and not just sped-up rap samples, guitars, and hoovers, like a lot of other producers did.
"Otherworldly, wailing synths drown the mid-ranges while reverberated drums puncture the sub-bass."
yes, watch out for this massive kick!
https://hauntedhouserecords.bandcamp.com/track/poltergeist
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