Strictly Nuskool Blog: "Hardcore Breakbeat is made from people who love high energy"

'Z-Neo - Trueskool LP' - The story so far

It was the very last day of this summer when Brighton's finest Rave Radio Records made a statement about the orders of the Test Presses of their next installment. The previews were credited to an 'Unknown Artist' for a few days - a proper teaser to the masses, till the first days of September when they dropped the name of the artist. And it was no one else but the German Hardcore Breaks prince, Z-NEO.

Coming back stronger right after his storming 'New Hope EP' from last year, which went down a storm, Z-Neo brings about a sophomore chapter of an ultimate raveolution to your soul. Again it's all about the intensive storming beats, obeying to the oldskool ethos and most of all to his passion to produce breakbeats and to remain hardcore in everything.

Kickstarted his journey in the early days of the 90s and swamping with an Amiga 2000 alongside his brother, till his Psychedelic, D&B and Ambient creations, Martin (his real name) has been always musically busy. And his brand new material is once again absolutely stunning!

"Originally Z-Neo and I were about to release a 4-track EP called the 'Dope Enuff ' EP, which just included the 4 tracks on disc 1 and because of the delays in the pressing plants and Z-Neo was continuing to send me some new tracks that blew my mind and were so good that I felt that this wanted a 2 or 3 disc EP into an album. So we both felt that an album would really compliment his hard work." recalls Sam Purcell, the owner of Rave Radio Records who signed this new material by Z-Neo.

The support has been huge since the Test Presses gone out easily and eventually all of the 12 tracks from there stand out differently. Eventually, this means a lot.

"And as a label manager I asked quite a few different individuals in the scene who bought Test Presses or I sent them Test Presses to, to gain their information of what's their top 3 from the album. And what was really quite amazing is that there was no pattern to what these people came back to me with. Everyone has different preferences. Z-Neo was able to really show versatility in his production whilst keeping just absolute banging Hardcore music coming up from the studio." mentions Sam, who's feeling grateful for all the support off this release and happy as well getting the established street artist, illustrator SNBU23 from Brighton to make the artwork for this album.

"As a label manager, Z-Neo's final 12 tracks made me feel incredibly proud to put out his music. The music that he produced there really captulates what I feel like pure energy music. It's relentless in my mind and it makes me feel so invigorated when I hear it." - Sam Purcell

"Rave Radio Records Presents: Z-Neo - Trueskool. 12 brand new tracks across 3 discs. The exclusive album artwork illustration is by SNUB23, one of Brighton's prolific graffiti/street artists"

Z-Neo inside his studio

On behalf of this amazing album we had the chance for a quick chat with the German artist Z-Neo who's opening his files about his projects and how his heart beats for Hardcore.

GK: Martin, you currently live in Frankfurt, Germany. How's things over there regarding the Electronic music scene?

Z-NEO: For about 27 years I was living in Berlin, 4 years ago I moved away to a small town near Frankfurt called Butzbach :) So I’m out of the big city-biz, living a peaceful life. Can’t say much about the Electronic music scene in Frankfurt, not sure if Techno is as big as it was in the beginning of the 90s when Sven Väth and other guys ruled the city, guess I’m old now haha. But in the early 90s in Frankfurt we enjoyed going to the club ‘XS’ (later ‘The Box’), where Hardcore and Jungle was played.

GK: There are already some massive releases from your locals: Dragon Technical Records, Parallax Recordings, Systec, Shar-Pei, TNO Project, Alex Jungle and a few others. I'd like to know from your perspective how a producer from a Techno capital, thinks about Hardcore Breakbeat?

Z-NEO: In Germany, Breakbeat was never as big as in England, though there were enough people who lost their heart and souls to the broken stuff, guess I’m one of them :) When I started to listen to Electronic music the DJs from Germany were playing various styles in their sets, mixing Rave/Techno-stuff with Breakbeat which I liked a lot. From '94 on there came the big separation when DJs no longer dared to play anything but one style.

I guess Hardcore Breakbeat has always a very special place in my mind because the raw untamed energy is outstanding – especially compared to other ‘boring’ electronic music. I think the music is made for people who love high energy. Yeah and it’s nice to see that people and labels from Germany are also part of the Hardcore Breakbeat- and Jungle scene.

GK: What are the records that inspired you to get into Breakbeat?

Z-NEO: There were a few records but mainly it was the 'Ganja Man' EP by Mike Slammer and Red Alert, also Prodigy kicked ass with the 'Everybody In The Place' EP. Also NRG/Liquid Crystal, Acen and Hyper On Experience have been a big inspiration.

GK: Is it true that you're also into Psychedelic Trance and Ambient music? Are there any similarities with Hardcore Breaks in any kind of spirit that also helped you with your HCB productions?

Z-NEO: Yes that’s true, together with my mate Oli I’m doing dark Psychedelic Trance, our name is Nobot (https://soundcloud.com/nobotno). We’re doing this since 7 years, before we produced some Electro-stuff. In the last 29 years I produced electronic music in several styles, from Rave to IDM/Braindance, Hardcore Breakbeat, DnB, I’ve also produced two tracks for a relatively well know Hip Hop artist as well as some Dub and some special commissions.

About the similarities: When an artist produces several styles of music, I guess there a two major ways: One way is to use the sounds from a certain style also in your other productions (other styles) which – for my ears - often results in music that’s neither fish nor meat. The other way is to clearly separate the styles (as much as it’s useful) but use your growing experience regarding sound production for the other styles. To be honest I think I didn’t produce any Psytrance-track without layering a breakbeat on top haha. But for example when I produce Hardcore-Breaks I wouldn’t use Psy-sounds – even if they are way more diverse, there are unlimited Psy-sounds coming out of the Modular System, but I don’t feel that they would be useful to capture the 92/93 Hardcore Breakbeat vibe :)

GK: Last year you released one of the greatest records within the scene, the 'New Hope EP'. How you got in touch with Rave Radio Records - the whole deal and general feedback for your tracks?

Z-NEO: Thanks a lot mate, means a lot to me :)

While I was producing the 4 tracks I stumbled across some Breakbeat mixsets from DJ Systec and Shar-Pei on Youtube which blew me away. I contacted Systec and asked if he wants to give my tracks a listen. He liked the tracks but told me that they’ve stopped with their label Dragon Technicals a few years before. But he was really kind and was sending the music to Sammy from Rave Radio Records. And Sammy is such a nice guy, I think it’s awesome that he was putting it on wax :)

Also afterwards he pushed me into making an album which resulted in the 'Trueskool' LP. Really glad to work with him!!!

And the feedback was really nice, gave me the energy to do more. Also you and me we were getting in contact through the first EP, awesome to see when music connects people :)

GK: 'Trueskool' LP. Is it true and how come with this title?

Can you give an insight of the progress of your new work and a track-by-track short description from your own perspective?

Z-NEO: Yes it’s true, damn true :) The title should reflect that the music was mainly made for people who are staying true to the oldschool-sound and that it’s coming from a guy who loves the 92/93-spirit of the broken beats.

On my album I wanted to deliver tracks within a certain range of styles. My goal was to nail the 92/93-vibe using all the necessary ingredients like craziness, darkness, light and also some kind of childish naivety – because I think most of the producers back then didn’t care much about typical song- or track-arrangements.

As far as the individual tracks are concerned, a description of each track would go beyond the scope of the interview :) But here are a few things I generally do when I produce Hardcore Breakbeat:

In almost all my tracks, I try to use a lot of inversion in the chords (piano/strings), because that usually sounds more exciting from my point of view. At the same time, I often try to play a counter-theme with the bassline (and other elements) and not just play the basic notes of the chords. These two methods ensure that I don't get bored with the songs too quickly :)

Another thing I like to do: When there is a section where only the beats and the main sound is playing I like it to add energy to the main sound in the bass range (but only down to 70/80 Hz, so that the illusion of a bass is still created, but not blowing deep down like a sub), to make the whole sound picture sound relatively complete, even without a real sub-bass line. If you then thin out this 'bass range' a little bit on the next 1 with a high-pass filter, you can layer the actual sub-bass line underneath, which can then play a contra melody to the rest. This can create the effect that the listener thinks that you are adding a sub-bassline, although there is already a supposed bass.

Apart from that, I’m using some synths to create my sounds (Moog Voyager, Roland SH-101 and OB-6) that would be difficult to achieve with virtual instruments - especially when it comes to fatness. And of course the Roland U220 for the strings :)

GK: Your thoughts about the Hardcore Breaks scene currently?

Z-NEO: There are some massive tracks out there and it’s nice to see some legends come back. I also love the technical quality of the new productions. Never expected a comeback for Hardcore :)

GK: Why somebody will choose a Hardcore Breakbeat banger for a proper rave?

Z-NEO: If it’s timed right you could make the crowd go wild.

Imagine a rave where the

audience is already in a good mood – and then Liquid Crystal ‘You Got Me’ is being dropped.

GK: What are the next steps for the Z-Neo project? Any kind of a live set maybe for future gigs etc. ?

Z-NEO: I guess I will do some more tracks and see if a live set could be possible in the future, really burning for this idea! At the moment there is a massive change about the priorities of my private life (including a move to a new apartment) so I have to see how long it will take until I’m able to go on.

GK: We're totally buzzing from track 1 when played the promos of this LP, however we'd pick our personal highlights that are 'Turn The Heat Up', 'High As Kite' and 'The Sound'. Amazing work Martin! All the best for your next steps mate. Forever hardcore, forever strong!

Z-NEO: Thanks a lot dear Peri and also thanks a lot for your support :)

GK: Your final essential shouts out ?

Z-NEO: Yeah, shouts are going out to my lovely girls, to my family and friends, to Sammy and the RRR-crew, to the Dragon Technicals and DJ Systec, to Sir Rice and Stephano – and to the Trueskool-crew for keeping the vibe alive!

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