Aisha Devi’s Danse Noire label reissues Gabber Modus Operandi’s mindboggling combo of microtonal
Balinese gamelan and screaming carnival gabber. Absolutely galaxy brain post-colonial hardfuzion free
expression from one of the globe’s most fascinating duos.
Originally released in 2018, Indonesian duo Gabber Modus Operandi’s debut album “PUXXXIMAXXX” showed
the world the artistic and political power of radical fusion. By bolting together trash culture, European hard
dance hedonism, heavy metal/punk theatrics and Indonesian gamelan elements, Ican Harem and DJ Kasimyn
came up with a “chaotic pastiche” that has by now surpassed its influences without losing its cutting
sense of humor. If you heard 2019’s “HOXXXYA” then you should have an idea of where GMO’s interests lie -
“PUXXXIMAXXX” is maybe more raw, more unhinged and even more flamingly carnivalesque. From the very
beginning the duo make their intentions clear, wielding a wavering trumpet loop before adding 400bpm
kicks that roll like a tidal wave over traditional Indonesian percussion like it’s nothing at all.
There’s no hesitance in Kasimyn and Harem’s resolve, they take risks that should make most producers
embarrassed. Think the Danes are putting a fresh spin on hard trance? Well listen to ‘Pariah’, that takes
the “festival somewhere in the distance” supersaw sound and slathers it over rolling gabber kicks before
disintegrating into wobbly, ambient ritual magick. ‘Jathilan Titan’ might be even better, wrapping those same
trance leads in beating Indonesian percussion without losing the 7am-on-a-mystery-drug-cocktail essence
of the ‘ardkore experience. By the time we get to ‘Goroxxx’ with its swung rhythm and dense, chattering vocal
mangles, there can be no denying that “PUXXXIMAXXX” is a unique proposition. While half of Europe is trying
to recapture the sounds of a lost rave they never attended, GMO use the discarded shells of dance subgenres
to cobble together a completely unique vanguard rave sound that doubles as a middle finger to the dull, aggy
purists