17 tracks (13:45)
"Hard to be naughtier than Oliver Chesler, aka The Horrorist. Behind this Vaudevillian pseudonym lurks some kind of Marilyn Manson gone techno, set within the movie "Kids" by Larry Clark about New York middle-class teens who beat boredom with copious doses of drugs and horror. Clearly inspired by gothic-electro bands such as Front 242 or Skinny Puppy, Oliver Chesler can be as twisted as a hardcore version of Belgium EBM from the late 80's. However, once you listen past his all-too-obvious liking for synth melodies and thumping beats, you discover his genius storytelling about the streets, drugs and murderous mayhem, told over slower, unsettling arrangements such as "One Night in NYC", "Wet & Shiny" or "Mission Extacy". Standing somewhere in-between hyperrealism and humor, this ultra-violent Green Velvet is so maliciously good. " - Liberation Newspaper (France)
"TOP 10! A grimly hilarious trip through rave culture's underbelly. Imagine The Gangs of New York as written by the Prodigy" - New York Magazine
"un disque pour danser, pour rire, ou prendre peur face aux penees noires de son auteur. 10/10" - Coda (France)
"Pas complique et mechmment efficace, il transporte le corps dans une autre dimension et peut perturber les plus sensibles...Album du mois" - DJ mix (France)
"le New-Yorkais revient cette ana avec un hardcore lent martial et oppressant..." -Trax (France)
"Une fusion Texte/techno qui ne sombre pas dans les pires affres... Une vraie rauussite." -Nova Magazine (France)
"Endlich die umfassende Kollektion von einem der bekanntesten, internationalen Electroacts! Die meisten von Euch kennen Oliver Chesler aka The Horrorist als den Punk der auf der 101 Tour von Depeche Mode ein Kontest gewinnt und anschliessend die Band quer durch das Land zum legendaren 101 Konzert im Bus begleiten darf. Was fur ein Start in die Musikerkarriere! Heute ist "The Horrorist" ein gefragter Liveact im Techno und Dancebereich. Oliver Chesler hat zahlreiche 12" auf renommierten Dancelabels veroffentlicht und Chartentries in verschiedenen Landern gefeiert. Unvergessen ist sein Hit "One Night in NYC" der uber Superstar/Universal mehr als 40.000 Einheiten verkaufte und selbst als Video bei MTV rauf und runter lief! 26 durchgeknallte Tracks auf 2 CDs! Die Hammermischung aus Aggro-Electro, Techno und Industrial! Naturlich mit dem Hit "One Night in NYC", "Can you hear the sound" und vielem mehr!" - DepecheMode.de (Germany)
"Coming from New York's hardcore techno scene, Oliver Chesler aka The Horrorist is offering here his first full-length. Although Manic Panic isn't your common hardcore techno CD, it's with cold and raw electro that The Horrorist makes his statement.Influenced by Front 242, The Klinik, Skinny Puppy and Depeche Mode (it's noted in the booklet), Oliver Chesler has assembled a surprising album where rough takes on electro meets his powerful dancefloor hits Mission Extacy, the excellent Flesh Is the Fever and Can You Hear the Sound?. Both in his music and his lyrical work, Chesler is violent and, to say the least, straightforward, but often flirting with the ironic side. Little New York stories about rape (his most famous hit One Night In NYC), drugs and crimes just to name a few is the content of most of his songs for Manic Panic and gives the album its own character.Musically, Manic Panic might not be the most complex electronic album and sounds pretty straigthforward compared to some current releases. But, that's what makes Manic Panic such an addictive album. The rhythms are heavy and loud, the beats are pounding and the rough, looped, electronics adds aggresiveness to the whole treat; without mentioning Chesler's sarcastic vocals.All in all, Manic Panic is a refreshing album. It hits hard and at the right place; The Horrorist won his bet. So, are you ready to hear the sound?" - electroage-music.com
"Fantastische sechs Sterne fur ein fantastisches Album!" - www.medienkonverter.de