Carbon is Dutch producer Meander's debut album. Meander is Conrad Hoyer's latest guise, having previously gone by the name Ophidian - where he was mainly known for his hardcore techno and industrial music influenced style.

Under Meander, Hoyer is able to break away from his past, but that doesn't mean he's left it behind - no, this is very much a natural progression.

This album won't to be everyone's tastes. In fact, if you're not into this scene then it's fairly safe to bet that all you'll hear is crazy drum machine beats coupled with a trippy techno base - and every now and then you'll hear the odd sound effect that sounds like it's been sampled from an '80s arcade game.

There's enough diversity here for you to get a flavour of Meander's obvious talent and influences; not to mention to act as a backing track to your life no matter what you're doing. It's the sort of album you'd dig out and play full blast before going out for the night.

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Nick Smithson