We all know to expect darker sounds from Trance pioneer John O’ Callaghan when he puts on his dark hat to show the darker side of him under the alias Joint Operations Centre. The head honcho of record label Subculture, Mr. John is very proud to hit the milestone of 200th release on his label and he knows how to celebrate it in style. How about a 3 track techno-driven EP? 

Starting off with a monstrous start, ‘Meraxes’ takes to the air for a swoopingly relentless flame-thrower – and one that’s every bit the musical equivalent of its winged, fire-breathing G.O.T. namesake. Perfectly balanced at the EP’s midpoint is the nuance-studded tech of ‘Mom I Don’t Feel Well’. Maintaining the tempo and propulsion of ‘Meraxes’, it brings cantering hi-hat percussion, portentous bass, correspondingly ominous Bolland-esque sub-riffs, and the haunt of the hunting horn to its make-up.

Just in case the atmosphere of Subculture 200th wasn’t yet doomily delicious enough for you, John cues up the EP’s parting shot, ‘Moonlight’. Skipping percussive, reverb by the bucket and its deceptively chilled titular refrain all conspire to deliver its equilibrium-shaking closeout.

EP is available to stream and download here

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