Ancient Methods – Second Method

A1 contains a sample from P·A·L's Gelöbnis to be found on the Signum album, namely the young female voice saying 'Achtung' repeatedly. While it could be picked from the orignal source that P·A·L used, the reverb is there as well so my guess is this is taken straight from P·A·L. Some other sounds might been used as well as it feels somewhat similar.

Thus far the second installment of the Ancient Methods series is visually the most stunning one. The red translucent marbled vinyl looks like an erupting volcano sample caught and frozen in time and space, and then transferred to wax.
As for the music, the first two tracks are reworks of each other, and both sound pretty close to Unknown Artist's Ugandan Speed Trials 12" (DN4) from 2007, as both of those tracks were alternate takes on each other. They're not really uptempo, as much as they're heavy with seriously ground shaking bass lines and rear-echelon friction action from the starting second sounding like somebody was incinerating the profound sounds with a welding torch. In addition to that, there are a few breaks achieved through sudden outbursts of brief vocal snippets, adding to the overall punch of the music.
A2 is more of the same, chock-ful of static electricity placing emphasis on the devious bass line. The only difference is that unlike the A1 tune, this one doesn't have as many vocal intrusions, but it does introduce a totally whacked out tolling sequence, which sounds like a broken warning siren tankers let loose when entering a harbor. Absolutely crazy!
The A side is basically throbbing industrial stuff which doesn't rely as much on banging percussion and four on the floor structure, as much as it does on abrassive rhythms and unpolished sounds. Very head nodding material.
The B side starts with a broken beat techno tune, though much harder than any other B1 track they've recorded so far (ever notice how it's always the B1 position on their releases which is reserved for the sinister, off-beat quirker?). It can only compared to B1 on AM-04, which was a hard one as well, with distorted sequences layed all over. It also makes me think of Re:Group's last year's stomper AntiChance, which had enough rusty, brain drilling nails stuck in it to hang every painting on the walls of my house twice. Overall, if you like it challenging and mental- look no further. This is as stomping and malevolent as they come without ever breaking into the typical 4x4 techno pattern.
B2 is the most conventional track here, if anything these guys do can be called that. It's the closest thing to a 4x4 here, with a pounding bass and more emblematic drum kicks. As with the previous numbers, the track is loaded with disturbing hisses and crackles, as it mercilessly pounds on. It's like one of those bulldozers heading towards a building with the sole intention of levelling it with the ground. I love it, and if you've listened to Fourth Method, it's in the same vein as the B2 track there, just slightly more uptempo.
All in all, more than worth getting, although from what I've gathered this may be the most elusive of their vinyls. It seems to me that in no time, Second Method became very valued and sought after, hence the amount of pressure it will lay on your wallet if you are out to get a copy. I haven't even heard about extras just laying around in some obscure shop. However, despite its scarsity, my honest opinion is that the Third and Fourth Method are superior releases, and since both are still in stock world wide, may I suggest you get those first. Yeah, I know the look of this one will tease you into purchasing before the other two, but...