Action Directe: Oktober / Compatriat Games
"Bloody hell! Four tracks on this CD Single, (two brand new and two are mixes of the new tracks), and it's just not enough! We have to wait until the new year for the new album, and I cannot wait that long!
So, this new material is good then? Oh YES! Action Directe are constantly maturing and refining their sound with each release, and the professional (and dare I say 'refined') sound on this release is breathtaking! 'Oktober' is guitar driven angst, but so easy to listen to. 'Compatriot Games' is more beat laden, and with the style of the male vocals, I'm instantly reminded of early James Ray's Gangwar in some places.The mixes of the two tracks just goes to show what can be accomplished given the strength of the original versions - the K-Nitrate mix of 'Compatriot Games' is a dance floor filler if ever there was one!
This is Industrial angst with punk overtones, coupled with modern electronic beats, and it's bloody brilliant. I said in a previous review that AD sounded like Marxism let lose with a guitar. Well, Marxism has evolved and honed it's musical talent with this offering, and with that in mind, we eagerly await the new album, while we salute the hammer and sickle."
- Keith Elcombe 4/4 (Hard-Wired)
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"Two new songs from hardline communists Action Directe - 'Oktober' and 'Compatriat Games', both presented in standard and remix versions. 'Oktober' is the faster of the two, with a relentless martial beat and spat-out vocals. To be honest, the standard version doesn't really sound finished, and I far preferred the 'Synthetic remix' which is a strong track that would work on the dancefloor as well as home listening.
'Compatriat Games' is a slower track, but still has a strong percussion line and the trademark frustrated vocals, whilst the 'K-Nitrate remix' is a remarkable keyboards and vocal samples style track in the vein of 'Eve of Destruction'. In all not the best slice of Action Directe I've heard so far, but enjoyable enough, especially the remixes"
- Mike (Kaleidescope)
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"The most polished release so far from the Yorkshire band, this sees them adopting a more electronic, less raucous sound - but keeping their trademark angry tone. 'Oktober' is probably the catchiest thing they've done so farm, with Synthetic's guitar-driven remix making it suprisingly club-friendly too. Unfortunatley, the original version of 'Compatriot Games' is a little less successful, but it is accompanied by an interesting - and quite dark - K-Nitrate remix. Worth a look"
- James White 3/5 (Meltdown)
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