- In recent years Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's REALMZ has been just about the only US artist to release on Sonic Groove. Left to My Devices is the third vinyl EP on the label for REALMZ (he had also put out a few digital-only releases, including two long-players) and it's easy to see how he's earned label boss Adam X's approval. This is techno for dark and claustrophobic moments. Opening the record is the seven-and-a-half minute-long "Din Ringer," which gallops at a frantic 4/4 clip past long, droning walls of sound—and, perhaps, sheds a few less serious listeners along the way—while "Re-Work" lets loose with a barrage of blurted science-fiction noises. Most captivating is the heavily syncopated "Chamber 2," with all its detailed percussive tumbles, but if you crave some sort of melody, hold on to until the last track, "Slipping into a Dream." That one is anchored by a moody lead riff, covered with more of the otherworldly sighs and moans that mark much of REALMZ's work, and pitched a few BPMs lower than the rest of the record, making for an eerily calm sort of come-down.
Tracklist A1 Din Ringer
A2 Chamber 2
B1 Re-Work
B2 Slipping Into A Dream