Zod Tour
More than just Schlitz


by Andrew Schrock

Over the years, many characters have assumed the name Zod, most notably an evil, Gobot-mangling dinosaur and General Zod from Superman II. Any suspicions, however, that Zod the record label might be linked to ‘80s kitsch are dispelled after hearing the first five seconds of their debut full-length. Far from accessible, the musical style of Zod is evil and uncompromising, perfect for peeling paint off your bedroom walls. The debut, a compilation of sorts, sees them showcase material from staple label artists Emotional Joystick, Venetian Snares, Destro and Doormouse. What makes this debut stand out are the 200 BPM jungle drum breaks with odd time signatures that form the backbone of this angst-filled album. Similar to the Midwest label Ambush, Zod releases hardcore beats and a hyperactive mishmash of styles that is far removed from anything as glossy and over-produced as what currently passes for drum & bass.
Zod founder Sam Derickson’s affection for records (the black circles with grooves) is also another link between his label and Ambush. But in a time when the vinyl-only industry is in a bit of disarray, it’s unusual to come across a label that made a name for itself by releasing actual 12"s and did so with fetishistic fashion. This isn’t to say that Zod has particularly sought to appeal to DJs looking for the latest dancefloor trance anthem. Rather, Zod has wonderfully grown by moving beyond their early hard-hitting, atonal tracks and into more sympathetic, successive efforts from artists such as Curtis Chip. Like Aphex Twin, Chip matches purely electronic basslines and synthetic components to beats that are closer to mellow hip-hop than apocalyptic jungle, creating a sound that is less fist pumping and more introspective.

Bostonian Soplerfo’s soon-to-be-released album takes an even more personal look into experimentalism. The new album, EP For Dogs, adds depth and temperamental-ism by incorporating melodies to the now familiar Zod chopped breakbeat sound. He also shatters the barriers between conventional and freeform composition, and in the process, helps Zod bridge the gap between being a hardcore jungle label and a respected avant-garde juggernaut like Warp or Schematic. It’s unclear what, exactly, makes the Midwest a current haven for such skewed beat-fiends, but one thing is for sure: Schlitz isn’t the only thing helping to make Milwaukee famous.


The Zod Records tour featuring live performances by Emotional Joystick, Soplerfo, and Curtis Chip invades the Phoenix Landing on Tuesday, August 27, 10pm/19+/ $3. For more information, call 617.576.6260.


originally printed in Boston's Weekly Dig on 08/25/02 in the Tone section