Baseck and Sonic Death Rabbit are familiar names to many denizens of the subterranean LA breakcore/gabber/dubstep scene. SDR and Baseck have been rocking LA’s socks off for years, and several excellent LA Weekly articles already exist on the subject. The “Creatures” album has been a longtime coming and the finished product does not disappoint. Death metal, chiptune, breakcore, and incredible turntablism bump gnarled appendages at a alarming rate. Its great to finally hear old favorites like “It could be worse, you could be human” and “Playground Royalty” fully manifested in all their epic glory. The album features several interesting guest appearances including a whistling solo by international breakcore maestro Sickboy Milkplus and jazz flute by Kelly Coats of LA Fog.

In a way, “Creatures” is actually three albums. The tracks alternate between Baseck and Sonic Death Rabbit (Sonic Death Rabbit consists of Baseck and Christina “Wet Mango” Fuentes.) So that is two albums right? WRONG, its three, because its a whole other album when you put the two together. It makes more sense when you look at the id3 tags. Really.

My personal favorite track is “It Could Be Worse, You Could Be Human”. This track really encompasses what Baseck is all about. Distorted, gabbery, chiptune beats and pitch shifted pseudo rapping. Growls, howls, screams and death metal guitar. In your face turntable skills, ominous synth drones, and a lyrical hook that will haunt your dreams. And then… a care free acoustic guitar jam/whistling solo…? My other top choices would be the brutalicious “Playground Royalty” and rave-tastic “Megathon”.

Photo by Marianne Williams

“Creatures” has been released as part of the limited edition, BEYOND THE VAULT series by SubConscious Communications, a independent record label owned and operated by cEvin Key, keyboard player, producer, and song writer of Skinny Puppy. Other albums in this collection include offerings from Download, Otto Von Schirach and The Tear Garden. Get it while they last!

Several tracks are available for streaming on Baseck’s myspace.