Dark Drums

by Dean CarlsonInsistent and full of ire, Steve Lawler's Dark Drums lived up to its name with the sort of sullen tribal clank pushed by Justin Robertson. Jan Driver's chuggy rewash of Gintare's "Earthless" was a particular favorite, but the nu breaks house template was often undermined by an all too unified mixing style, which worked against the nagging rhythmic step work. Although aspiring to the rough-knuckle drama of mixes like Jon Carter's 7 Live, Dark Drums worked best in smaller doses when the tribal workouts felt fresh and less dawdling.