Hive - Devious Methods flac album

A genre-defying hybrid of drum and bass by way of trip-hop, hip-hop, and electronica. Dense, brooding and dark music, that is both aggressive and elegant.USA based producer Hive's 'Devious Methods' is an exquisite drum and bass album, arriving in 1998 at a time when DnB was already beginning to suffer the effects of saturation after its meteoric rise in popularity during the 90's. Under these circumstances, it's not surprising an album like this probably went relatively unnoticed, despite it's lead single Ultrasonic Sound being featured on the soundtrack compilation for The Matrix, which is exactly how I found out about Hive, and got me determined to hear more.For an album nearly 20 years old, it remains amazingly fresh sounding. A few tracks here might give away the era, but these really are exceptions. Instead, Hive manages to blend trip-hop inspired drum and bass with undoubtedly strong hip-hop influences, a bombardment of amazing sample-work, and even some slick guitars on the aforementioned Ultrasonic Sound into a stunning and unique array of tracks. The opening Weapons of Destruction kicks things off with an ominous sample that appears to be two alien-beings observing Earth, carrying some unspeakable weapon of destruction upon us. Yet we are told: "I like to play with things a while, before annihilation"Up next is Ultrasonic Sound, which is undeniably fantastic, sampling a Bad Brains riff from the track Re-ignition, it manages to completely reinvent the effect of the riff into a pretty indescribable, genre defying song. Slick, twisting beats and distorted basslines smashed into funk-rock guitars, samples and other indescribable electronic sounds, it really must be heard, as words will only go so far! Repeat listens can reveal a satisfying level of depth to the music here, with many of the tracks managing to cement very distinct identities within the context of the album. Nothing sounds particularly out of place, but nothing sounds particularly similar either. There is a strong dark atmosphere coursing through the album, helping to tie things together, on songs like Inside the Hive, Behold a Pale Horse and One Way Path. All fantastic songs, before we arrive at the title track Devious Methods, which is definitely one of my favourite tracks on the album. It carries a distinctly cool, almost 'noir' vibe (as does Behold a Pale Horse, another favourite) presenting a moody piano melody before gradually crafting an elegant bed of beats beneath it and smoothing it all out with masterful bass work, samples and the rest.The album closes out with a 'suite' of tracks broken up into three 'movements' titled Move Within Time. It's definitely an enjoyable listen when taken in it's full context, providing a particularly trippy and ambitious ending to the album. Devious Methods is an album I am always eager to recommend to people who may have already exhausted themselves on the more well-known DnB releases that came out of the UK. In my humble opinion, Devious Methods is a particularly special gem in the world of drum and bass, that provides a decidedly 'American' take on the genre.Recommended tracks: Ultrasonic SoundInside the HiveBehold a Pale HorseOne Way PathDevious Methods

There's plenty of uninspiring, cliche dnb out there. This album is not in that category. One of the best in the genre imo

I have (and have had) many record and remixes by Hive, and I have to say this is his best work. He went on to produce a lot of formulaic drum n' bass, which is all well and good, but this is truly a work of art right here. In my mind, my musical vocabulary, this album is as impressive as Entroducing.

Ah, this marks the high point in my short fascination with D&B. When I began to listen to electronic music, I seeked something more rythm oriented, and thus began my short outing into D&B. This is a really good album, I still like it after deciding that I do not like D&B. Probobly because this album doesn't only focus on the D&B with boringish melodies and samples in the background. This CD has SUBSTANCE.

Please buy this album. You will thank me later. Star Trek samples, Wu-Tang Clan samples and a Bad Brains sample all mixed up with DNB, Hip Hop and all out bizareness. The artwork alone makes it top any other American DNB release. Check out 'Ultrasonic Sound' and 'Inside The Hive'. AWWWW YAY-AH!

such a good record. hive shows off his ability on this disc. his scratches, sampling and tweaks on this album destroy. hive mixes all kinds of music on this album. hip hop beats, fast hardcore, dnb, ambient dnb, etc are all found here. they mix into some sort of electronically controlled anarchy, spewing with grit and emotion. - Jenn (friend of darksouljah)

a great album on Hive's behalf. tons of eerie samples, killers breaks, and monstrous bass lines. part hardcore, part jungle, and also part ambient (three "Moves Within Time" tracks mostly), this album truly exposes Hive's mixing abilities as a producer.