Artificial Extinction

Released in 2019, Artificial Extinction represents a significant milestone in Hocico's long-standing career as architects of the aggrotech sound. While the Mexican duo has always been known for their aggressive electronic compositions, this album sees them integrating more diverse rhythmic structures, particularly drawing from drum and bass and high-tempo techno. The record is expansive, featuring a core set of original tracks supplemented by a massive array of remixes from artists like Zardonic and Hallucinator, which further emphasize the album's cross-pollination with heavy bass music. Lyrically, Erk Aicrag explores themes of human obsolescence and social decay, delivered through his signature heavily processed, distorted vocal style. The production by Racso Agroyam is dense and maximalist, favoring a 'wall of sound' approach that maintains a high energy level (5/5) from start to finish. It stands as one of their most polished and sonically diverse offerings, bridging the gap between traditional EBM and modern electronic dance music.