Hell - Munich Machine (Disko B)

Munich Machine is the new LP from DJ Helmut Geier and sounds like US electro meeting the more curious edges of Deutsche technology. With Kraftwerk videos popping up regularly on MTV Europe's Chill Out Zone recently, perhaps the time is right for the Europeans to invade the more credible UK dancefloors as well as the cheesefloors.

Having released a staggering 30 singles across a 20 year DJ carrer, this is surprisingly only Hell's second album. Try it and you'll hear industrial beats mashed up with a power drill across camp Barry Manilow samples. Skip a track to find euro-vocoder narratives mixed with beats and pulses that sound more Detroit than Munich.

The style and presentation of Hell very much reminds me of Kirlian's brilliant debut LP of last year, also on the Disko B label. But Munich Machine sounds more like a danced up version of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals without the big sell out factor. The Kirlian and FLC similarities end with choice chunks of throbbing Germanic trance that compromise tracks like 'Suicide Commando' and 'Jack The House'. On the other hand 'Copa' and 'Warm Leatherette' (yes, a cover of the Grace Jones classic!) could be chart hits in the making. Stardust ('Music Sounds Better With You') has given fresh hope to the 97% of dance artists that do not have major label backing. DJ Hell: more please!