Krampfhaft – First Threshold

Having firmly made his mark on 2011 with the Spit Thunder 7” and Makin’ Magic EP, tracks that are still causing trouble in dances around the world, Dutch producer Krampfhaft returns to Rwina Records for a new release that blends cinematic sound design with jaw-dropping, hands in the air dancefloor ecstasy. 
The First Threshold is Krampfhaft’s statement of intent for 2012, uncompromising party music designed to make people move yet still hinting at something deeper. This a producer that’s still exploring the possibilities afforded by the music and as the intro states he’s quite capable of doing damage and sparing no one in the process. 
The EP opens with Marram. Setting the scene for what’s to follow, the track deftly balances epic and melancholic moods. It opens with sweeping strings, finger snaps and a dreamy melody before exploding into a grandiose drop with cascading drums and ominous synths. From this point on there’s no turning back. The core of the EP is found in Cork, Twin Prime and In A Dream, three high energy productions built firmly and unashamedly with the dancefloor in mind. Cork wastes no time and gets straight to the point with a rhythm built out of industrial parts and subtle interplays between percussive drums and euphoric melodies. This is a sonic whirlwind that sweeps across the dance with deadly precision. The same lethal precision informs Twin Prime: drums roll in a crescendo before unleashing sub heavy bass and more euphoric lead madness that mutates as the track progresses. If ever there was music to lose your mind to in the club this might just be it. In A Dream opens with loud panting breaths and looped eponymous vocal samples informing the listener that he’s “trapped in a dream” before a rush signals the arrival of heavy, claustrophobic drums and more catchy ecstatic lead melodies. As the melody morphs and plays a game of call and answer over the rhythm you might have just enough time to find a way out. Bones closes the EP, a gentler production that echoes the melancholy of Marram and comes across as a cleaner, brighter yet just as emotionally pulling production as the ones Clams Casino build his reputation on. Rolling drums, booming kicks and ethereal voices gently stir the listener towards the end. If you want to go all over again, you only need to press play. 
First Threshold continues Krampfhaft’s exploration of what makes dancefloors move today. The high energy and varied moods found across its five tracks, inherited from his diverse background as a fan of electronic and dance music, are balanced with an attention to sonic detail and musical structure that’s often taken for granted. Cross the First Threshold and come lose yourself in a sonic adventure like no other.

Artwork by Menno Fokma and Floris Vos

Format: Vinyl 12" and digital 
Barcode: 5055300368645

Released by: Rwina Records 
Release/catalogue number: RWINA020 
Release date: Nov 19, 2012 

Krampfhaft - First Threshold EP [RWINA020]

Krampfhaft