Lektrique – Shred

Each month we shine the spotlight on one SoundGym member by reviewing one of their tracks for our Music Spot feature. This month we focus on 'Shred', by @Vincent Sergeant, AKA Lektrique.

Sergeant is originally from Belgium, but relocated to Montreal, Canada in 2011, where he swiftly linked up with Kannibalen Records. The relationship has proven fruitful, with Sergeant releasing a string of singles and EPs on the label, as well as hosting their Kannibalen Radio Podcast.

'Shred' is the latest blast of music that Lektrique has delivered for the label. It's an example of the chopped-up, distorted, hyper side-chained electro pioneered by French labels such as Ed Banger a decade or so ago. The power and clarity of Lektrique's drum sounds really bring this track bang up-to-date though, and Sergeant has assimilated other influences too; some of the disorienting pivots in the music owe a debt to dubstep producers such as Far Too Loud, who Sergeant cites as an influence.

Whilst Lektrique clearly has the technical side of his game together – producing a clean, but powerful mix here - these kinds of tracks stand or fall on the creativity of the producer; their ability to conjure up the unexpected. This track has that in spades; a dizzying range of synthesized sound, gothic choirs and string stabs fight for your attention, and the music doesn't stand still for a second, constantly evolving, mutating and surprising. All in all, a thrillingly visceral listen.