LukHash - Virtual Burnout

Album artwork: Luciano Oliveira (neondemon.jpg)

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

LukHash’s Virtual Burnout takes listeners on a journey through spiky digital soundscapes that freely mingle chiptune elements with synthesizers. The music is dynamic and sharp-edged with a grungy computerized feeling that fills me with a sensation of cyberpunk adventure.

The way in which LukHash combines C64 sounds with synths creates ear-grabbing and layered audio landscapes that are energetic and razor sharp. I like the gruffness and grit that fills the retro computer sounds and the way in which the other synths intertwine to add different tonal colours and timbres.

Atmosphere plays into the success of Virtual Burnout as an album. The way in which the classic chip sounds interact adds to the sensation of moving through a dangerous digital world, full of lurking threat. LukHash allows shadows to grow and the harshness of the early computer sounds to give all the other sonic elements a grungy overlay.

I also want to mention the percussion and bass on Virtual Burnout. LukHash creates hugely active and propulsive strength in the low end of the tracks that helps lift the music to the next level. The sheer power of the drums and bass fills out the music and gives it real heft.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Keygen” opens as chippy arpeggios rapidly flicker while bass wobbles and sharp drums pop as razor-edged synth cuts in. The 8-bit melody has an energizing feeling as it leaps above the rebounding drums and punchy bass. Glistening digital-sounding notes dance in fun and funky motion.

Sparkling, chiming synth flits past in a dynamic melody as the lacerating low end skirls and jumps. Explosive motion fills the chip melody as it launches into a wildly whirling solo that breaks above the hard-hitting low end. The main melody dances out into spinning arpeggios and falls silent.

A tripping computerized sound breaks into a groovy pulse of drums to open “Amiga.” Dark bass flows along with twangy guitar. Medium-high, warm-toned synth jumps in with a hopeful melody.

Gruff bass twirls past as nasal-sounding digital synth sings a triumphal and melancholy melody. Sparkling notes form a descending minor key pattern. Fluting synth plays a haunting melody before spinning back into the lead melody.

I enjoy the way in which the main melody creates an entertaining and dynamic earworm. A hip-shaking groove supports the lead synth, driven by punchy drums. Rounded synth pops through and gives the groove even more life before the track ends.

“The Kingdom” begins as heavily colliding drums flourish and a flaring synth carries an enigmatic minor key melody. As the crushing bass and hard-hitting drums create an addictive pulse, the radiant synth carries an aching, needy melody.

The track returns to a snaky minor key line that adds a hint of shadow. Glistening lead synth sings a mournful melody above the crunchy low end and bursting drums. Choral voices add worshipful drama as entangling synth skips into spinning arpeggios.

The choir adds dramatic life and the bass snarls. The pained main melody returns as arpeggios twirl out in tangled motion, building to a climax and fading on delicate chimes.

A haunting, dark arpeggio flows in steady motion as air rushes in to kick off “Virtual Burnout.” Threatening, creaking bass is broken by digital flashes as powerfully rising synth chords fill the background.

Arpeggios keep spinning in a worried pattern while the low end batters angrily below them. Shadowy lurking fills the music as melancholy synth with a string-like quality floats.

Trumpeting notes arc up high and drums punch ferociously while the bass has tidal force. The main melody’s mixture of rage and muscle is a superb one while spectral synth slips and lacerating notes fade into silence.

“8-Bit Warrior” starts as “fight!” rings out and quickly arpeggiating 8-bit notes are joined by an explosive drumbeat. Rounded, digital-sounding synth bouncing in rapid motion as angry bass snarls.

Quickly trembling notes leap into a jazzy, dynamically swirling melody as smooth arpeggios oscillate. The 8-bit melody flickers and bops along with playful life as the chip notes flash out.

Punchy drums smack in above the surging bass. The main melody twists and weaves through with energetic life and fades on computerized arpeggios.

A rattling sound moves before tremendous drums smack in to open “Cyberpunx.” Computerized notes wriggle through as massive bass slams. Ethereally floating synth carries an enigmatic, haunting melody as angular sounds slice into the track. There’s a rippling, spaced out quality in the string like lead synth as it slides smoothly.

Pulsing drums and huge bass add support to the track. Gruff edged, intensely shining synth carries a melody that fills me with a sensation of victory above the low end weight. The drums and bass batter while sweeping synth dances. The glowing lead synth melody soars out with triumph as 8-bit notes slide and shiver into silence.

“Invaders” commences as crunchy, squelchy arcade sounds move in. A slamming drum and bass pulsation is tinged by taut high notes that create a hypnotic pulse. The muscled low end surges as quickly rising, glistening notes move in angular lines.

Fierce energy in the low end adds support as light pours from a radiant, tremulous synth effectively contrasting with the raging low end. Now a segment in which a full-sounding synth moves in a hypnotic line leaps in with pounding drums. Spinning, echoing digital-sounding notes create an urgent melodic line, tense and propulsive, before the track ends.

Effulgent synth glistens in flashing chords as a rhythmic throb fills the low end with powerful pulses to begin “Shooting Star.” Elevated, nasal sounding synth carries a tentative melody as digital notes move in a melodic line that has delicacy and a soft touch within it.

There’s a wistful quality in the melody above the hard-edged drums and bass as open notes shiver. Now trumpeting, broken notes travel through before the tender and gentle melody rings out again. I enjoy the dreamy ache in the main melody as it sails through.

Arpeggios shimmer out as grungy 8-bit notes flit past and the drums and bass guide the track. The lambent lead echoes out in a mysterious and ghostly line before ending on roundly growing chords.

“Modchips” opens as a dominating drumbeat and giant bass are touched by classic computer sounds cutting in along with luminous notes. The chip sound that carries the main melody has a gleaming quality and the melody is groovy and intricate as it whirls through the track.

The crushing weight of the low end adds ferocious motion. Computerized notes pulse through in rough-edged bursts before the grabbing and wildly unfurling lead melody sings out. There’s a free-flowing life to the main melody as it dances past which I deeply enjoy.

The low end throbs with propulsive motion as the chip melody bends out to enliven the track. Twinkling sounds shine as they tumble down. Slowly descending, radiant chords and heavily vibrating bass end the track.

Cascading, minor key 8-bit notes jump in bursts as colossal drums and bass create a dangerous energy to start “Robot Uprising.” The lead melody is carried on a keen edged, glittering synth above the colliding drums and bass.

There’s huge strength and threat in the main melody as it unfolds in digital radiance. I enjoy the drama and sense of advancing danger that fills the music. Strings add a cinematic burst of energy as brassy notes ring out with a minor key melody as the string section stabs again.

The chip melody cries out with soaring victory while the intimidating low end hammers on. There’s a majestic feeling in the melody as the drums and bass attack. The track ends on a minor key sound with harsh strength.

Conclusion

Virtual Burnout is music that compels me to listen. The way in which LukHash weaves together all of the sonic components in the tracks gives them intensity and momentum, along with a real sense of place and occasion. The end result is an entertaining auditory journey.