Various Artists--Hardcore Nation 3

"Put your hands up in the air!" How fast can you do that? Better yet, how fast can you say it? Doesn’t matter, DJ Seduction can say it faster. He is just one of a slew of artists featured on the monstrous compilation Hardcore Nation 3. Split into three discs (including 54 tracks and over 3 hours of techno beats), the compilation shows off the skill of Stu Allan and Robbie Long along with Seduction, and guest artists like Alison Wade, Mauro Picotto, DJ Stromtrooper, and many others pop up now and again. The first disc is DJ Seduction’s territory, and is as fast-paced as a marathon runner. Nonstop and insanely bouncy, the poppy feel of songs like "All Around the World" and "Put Ya Hands Up" reminds one of an out-of-control high school dance. Stu Allan takes up the torch in the second disc. A pulsating hour of music, Stu Allan comes off a tad more sophisticated but just barely keeps up to DJ Seduction in speed. "Stuck in a Moment" features the vocals of Ali and is the peppiest track on the CD, while "The Hitmen" is a cunningly delicious track. Stu Allan offers some good diversity and paces well, leading us into the concluding disc featuring Robbie Long. "Nation of Hardcore" kicks it off, sounding like an ecstasy-induced-dream and a Mortal Kombat game wrapped into one (and perhaps they aren’t really that far off). "Watch Out" keeps up the speed set by the previous two DJ’s, and even cranks it up a notch. "Learn 2 Dance" concludes the massive compilation, and wraps mesmerizingly haunting vocals with the standard dance-beat. This set could keep any dance lover happy for months, and trying to listen to it in one go is an exhausting experience. The best of recent dance and techno work, just try to sit still during this 54 track roller coaster ride. Better challenge: try to keep up.

(Published at UkMusic.com)