Various Artists - Beat:Cancer v3

It's always heartwarming to see the finer folks of the dark electronic scene gather together for a greater good. Such is the success story of the Beat:Cancer series which started in 2012 after founder Mark Haigh's friend and colleague passed to lymphoma. After releasing a digital only, seven track EP, the emotional story and passion swept the scene with various labels, bands, and fans all pledging their support to the compilation. Two CDs and three years later and the charity CD has amassed a total of £6000 which funds Cancer Research UK in researching screening, treatment, and cures for cancer. 

2016 sees the story continue with Beat:Cancer v3, the third installment in the beneficiary compilation series. The latest thirty-six track compilation released just last month with a ton of names from around the scene contributing exclusive songs, remixes, and in-house mixes for no gain other than knowing they helped in a small manner. Karma is on your side. We may all wear black and act like we are heartless, but deep down inside there's a soft spot for stories like this; we just don't wear it on our sleeves.

Anyway, as with all compilations, it's a grab bag of songs that will tend to different people. There are plenty of songs I skipped over and will not return to again due to personal taste. That doesn't necessarily mean they're terrible in any way shape or form; it's all a matter of personal music taste. That being said, there were a couple of tracks that popped out to me more than the rest. 

Industrial metal outfit Mind Driller's 'Escape' is a beefy and slamming song. Juxtaposing cleaner sung out lyrics with deeper grunting and growling was a fantastic choice, and the production on this song was absolutely astounding. Mind Driller's side project - with three of the members from the original project - Hasswut also gave a song for this compilation titled 'Machinenwelt'. The harder edged electro-industrial theme Hasswut procures also got me hooked. The vocals are similar to Mind Driller, though they have a slight distortion to them. 

This also wouldn't be a true compilation unless a cover song or two was thrown in, so we have Neonsol to thank for that. Their cover of The Cure's 'Fascination Street' takes the song from a dark lit and tear soaked filled city street to the neon soaked future streets displayed by such movies as Blade Runner. Nina's vocals are possibly even more seductive and addicting than Robert Smith's. 

The fourth and last song I would like to point out would be Big Fucking Robot's 'Machine Control', which is another wealthy song that should not be missed on Beat:Cancer v3. Some parts of it are electronically cinematic, while other parts just get down and dirty with bass. I could best describe it as a mix of tribal drums, dubstep, and bass. 

Now, those are my picks from this compilation that I would not mind having in standard rotation on a playlist. However, the best way to experience a compilation is not by reading this, but it's by actually listening to it. Thirty-six tracks later, I'm impressed, I had my fun with it, and you should too. Also. Donate if you can you cheap cunts. 
May 14 2016