From the Montenegrin city of Podgorica, Ognjen Vukovic has hit upon a formula for success with his AudioStorm soubriquet that has seen him find triump, not only in his home country, but far beyond its borders. Now that success is epitomised once again on Suffused Music’s 165th release as AudioStorm presents his “Killing Instinct” EP.
Always driven by a passion and fascination for music in a variety of genres, Vukovic’s love of an eclectic mix of music from Pink Floyd and The Doors to The Cure and Depeche Mode, opened a gateway into the world of electronic music. During the dance music boom of the 1990s, he turned his attentions towards the world of Goa and Psy-Trance with a logical progression into the sphere of underground house and icons of the DJ industry that included Digweed, Cattaneo, Warren and Emerson.
A prolific producer with over 550 Beatport production credits to his name, AudioStorm’s output has been universally recognised since March 2012’s debut for Underground City Music. A regular on the likes LuPS Records, Bonzai Progressive and Balkan Connection, the AudioStorm name has been a fountain of inventiveness in both original and remix production material. Supported by the leading tastemakers within the industry, Dave Seaman, Marco Carola and Guy J have all played witness to the AudioStorm sound as have Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren.
Now returning, to Suffused Music for the first time since his “Differences” EP that went on to see remixes from Faskil, Ewan Rill and D-Eye, AudioStorm hits the mark with the exhilarating “Killing Instinct”.
Opener, “Above the Ground”, stamps its authority with dominant kick and ticking shakers before the whole gamut of percussive sounds can heard in relentless, hypnotic fashion. Subtle melodic phrasing filters into listener consciousness in rich and dynamic layers, establishing itself further in the third movement with a deliciously twinkling arpeggio and bouncing bass line that is reminiscent of early Underworld, circa 1994.
The title track immediately tantalises with its melodic refrains and early 1990s references. Full of sumptuous delays and 303-style squelches, a four-to-the-floor kick and rolling percussive groove extend “Killing Instinct” into a 21st century underground progressive house jewel. Pausing for a dramatic, stripped back breakdown, the convergence of rhythm, melody and bass in the second half, create a well-balanced, invigorating work.
With a wealth of production skill and knowledge to his name, AudioStorm is in no danger of ‘killing’ his audio ‘instinct’.
Text by James Warren
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