Pleasure Game - Le Dormeur FLAC

Released in summer 1991 at the peak of the European domination of Belgian Techno, this album captured the mentality and spirit of the first wave of truly "hardcore" dance music.

Pleasure Game had already tasted success with their huge single "Le Dormeur" earlier in 1991. It was a natural progresssion from the vastly influential New Beat sound that had grown throughout mainland Europe in the late 80's. While keeping the sampled vocals and 4/4 template that typified New Beat, Le Dormeur added an aggression that was more at home with EBM and a driving percussion that showed the influence of Detroit Techno.

The follow up single, "Le Seigneur Des Ténèbres", was a powerful statement of intent. Full of crazy movie samples and an insatiable variation of riffs, it was as much a success as Le Dormeur. On this album, Le Seigneur Des Ténèbres is actually featured in an early version entitled "Mystic House" that is really a condensed mix of the single version. Stripped of most of the vocal samples and gimmicks it packs quite a punch.

On to the album tracks (of which many could have been singles), firstly "Prepare To Energyse". It's one hell of a track, a thundering rave infused piece of techno that conjures images of nuclear warfare and eminent danger. "Professor Daktylus" also rolls along at an energetic pace thanks to an acidic bassline, super tight percussion and a fantastic fairground style riff that just reeks of illegal raves circa '91. The vocals (in French of course) are not exactly poetry but certainly do not deter from enjoying the track. In fact they add to the fun!

"Across The Dark" uses a hands-in-the-air approach with the mid-range that works very well, and a bassline to please many a dancefloor. "Gravity Force" continues the sonic onslaught, full-on peak time rave but this time with a very peculiar break section that recalls the work of Pleasure Game's close cousin Signal Aout 42.

Some tracks such as "What Is It?" and "What's The Difference?" are slightly less impressive than the titles mentioned above, but that is simply due to the quality and innovation involved. There are of course some interlude sections on the album, such as "Spiritual Overture" (which introduces the album with a slightly-too-good production shine compared to the rest of the CD), the dubious ambient acid of "Pleasure Test" and finally the cheesy "Fatal Communion" which tries to be classy but ends up anything but.

Overall "Le Dormeur" is a fantastic trip back to the zeitgeist of oldschool rave and will not disappoint anyone who remembers those hands-in-the-air, whistle-posse-blowin' times with fondness.