I didn't understand the title track until I saw the video. Got it now. We forget, maybe, but just because your phone can make that kind of video in realtime now doesn't make it any less mindblowing that those visuals were rendered in 2002.

One of the best! Drill n Bass! I remember when this came out. Coincideded with SOny putting out the first CD copier I had ever seen! lol

I'm discovering Autechre and so far I really like this EP. I didn't necessarily like it on the first listen. I think it takes a few listens to understand the song structures.

And Cap.IV ? After years of listening to Ae you think you 'know their stuff' - but I just spent a moment in another room and heard totally different [slow/hip-hop] hidden rhythm in the first half of the track. When I came back to the deck room - it was gone. Long live Ae and psychoacoustics !

"Dial." slowed down sounds just as awesome [just discovered that] and some % longer - for the same price, haha !

autechre go industrial......in 2002. while a little unexpected and initially very disorienting, i'd encourage everyone to listen to this more closely. for years, autechre tried to write the perfect epic and yet always failed in some way. the success of this recording may actually be in the nature of it's short length.confield was very poorly received. while the criticisms i've read of the record are at times comically off-base, i do agree with the general consensus that it likely did not fully realize what it is that the band sat down to accomplish. so, faced with what was for the first time a legitimate critical backlash by people the band actually respected the opinion of, they caved to the pressure and completely rethought the approach on the next album, which has the curious name of Draft 7.3 that even suggests that what exists between EP 7.2 and Draft 7.3 is to be discarded.this ep seems to be testing the waters and seeing what the reaction will be, or perhaps preparing the audience for what's coming. certainly, the ep reasserts autechre's place on the dancefloor which is something they kind of needed to do.really, it's not an ep so much as it is a two track single as the second and third tracks are really one track. what kind of single is this track gantz graf? well, it's a very odd one indeed. the buzz word here is "skronk". what is a skronk? a skronk is a sound that is created by either slowing a short sample down until it reaches a grating harshness or speeding a long sample up until it sounds like a tape being fast forwarded. gantz graf is bluntly an orchestration of skronks that needs to be heard. in an ideal universe, this would have been a number one hit single due to the force of it's creativity. in our world it did not reach such levels of success but it did surprisingly manage to actually chart in the UK.the other two tracks, as mentioned, are one track but the partition does make sense as the track does pivot when the track number changes. the first half attaches an archetypal 808 pattern that can be heard prominently in the basslines of 80s hiphop to a rather dour soundfont, something sort of between a piano and a ceramic tile while the second opens it up a bit and introduces some more traditional melodies.that doesn't sound exciting, but when there is virtually no melodic content (read: conventional music) in the first ten minutes of a record the introduction of melody is all of a sudden very satisfying and when it is paired to a bright synth pad it creates the aural equivalent of experiencing the sun finally appearing out from behind the clouds after a week of inclement weather. logically, the next thing that should happen is that the clouds should roll back in and the sun should disappear under a crescendo of digital noise.now, had they pasted this to the end of 40 minutes of something else it would have lost some of it's effectiveness but as it is it's possibly the most enjoyable 20 minutes of continuous sound that autechre has yet to produce.......and i hear the video for the track is pretty neat.

This surely is the ultimate display of superiority, coming from a boastful and musty poster advertising for a celebrity.

"Gantz Graf" blows out of the gate with the duo's most angular and disjointed piece ever. It doesn't sound composed so much as sculpted out of pure noise. It's hard to describe, but imagine a grinding waterfall of static intercut with horrifically timestretched drums that sound like an electric shock. That may not sound appealing, but this track has a frenetic rhythm and melody that puts it among Autechre's best. "Dial" is a set of ascending arpeggios backed by (relatively) straightforward drums and weird processed talking. Unfortunately there is some crackling in the high frequencies of this track that hurt my ears. "Cap.IV" is a reinterpretation of Confield's "Lentic Catachresis", a carefully-constructed piece of sound that gradually comes apart at the seams until nothing but chaos remains. Unlike its predecessor, however, it never really reaches a peak before beginning to disintegrate, so the whole thing sounds aimless to these ears. Bottom line? I've given up trying to understand what's going on in the heads of Sean and Rob, but they're still one of the most entertaining and original electronic acts out there.

This is one of those CDs that you love to hate. As big of an Autechre fan as I am... Even I find this release to be pretty annoying. But I come back for more abuse from time time. The opening track, Gantz Graf, is an assault on your ears and honestly can't be classified as music. Sounds like a combination of a high pitched pinball machine and an engine trying to start up. Track two actually has a beat to it, but still isn't an easy listen. Cap.IV actually makes me feel sick to my stomach sometimes... Probably all in my head. Autechre goes beyond weird with this one. 3/5 simply because its so dang hard to enjoy... but the challenge is fun!

3 tracks - typical ae static noise. meh, see above on details for the tracks. i bought this for the DVD. 3 videos on the dvd - wonderful to add to any ae fan's collection. the gantz_graf video is made up of CGI polys on a silver cylindar gyrating all over the damn place in sync with each noisy flutter coming from the track. the bass_cadet video goes way back to 1994. i didn't care for it too much - it looks like a student arranged computer ladybug flying about in a dark computerized space. very boring. second_bad_vilbel, however, is a CLASSIC. firstly, directed by Chris Cunningham. secondly, it's creepy! it's absolutely creepy - a mechanical living organism of some sort barely being made sharp enough for the viewers to understand what it is and what it's doing. this is painfully intoxicating.

This EP is a tough listen, but ultimately a rewarding experience. I listened to these 3 tracks 4 times in one day when I first got it. The first listen it almost sounded like noisey nonesense and I wasn't impressed. Not wanting to give up on it, I listened again and while it was more bearable that time around, it still seemed kinda crazy. The 3rd listen is when things started to click. I began hearing patterns and structures that I didn't notice before. The 4th listen I came to terms with it and accepted it for what it is... a noisey, clicky, multi-layered release. And I dare say i've come to love this little EP now!

This is the best description of what it's like to come around on this type of music that I've ever read. The four stages you identify are perfectly illustrated and so true. I love that the first listen is so off-putting, but the complexity and obvious care that went into it grabs your attention and brings you back. You know what I think it is? I think it's the fact that even though the sounds are absolutely insane -- especially the first time through -- it never sounds *random*. You never think that they just threw things together and released it to be difficult. The songs operate entirely out of the common logical structures of music, but there is absolutely logic and structure there nonetheless!This is far and away my favorite Autechre release, and I've been searching for other electronic music that is this exceptional since I heard the EP more than 5 years ago. If anybody out there has any recommendations, I would greatly appreciate it. I love love love love Kevin Drumm, but his stuff is more monolithic than this, like just a tower of pure sound. Aaron Dilloway's solo stuff is also fantastic, but I want the high fidelity production of something like this.Anyone have any suggestions???

Since it's beyond my abilities to formulate this in a way so as to not offend any parties where this EP might have been well-received, I'll just proceed in unfiltered mode. As a person who appreciates many types of electronica, and who holds Autechre's "Amber" in quite high regard, I can safely say that this release is by far the most closed, overly "weird-for-the-purpose-of-being-weird", über-experimentalizing and inaccessible release that has ever managed to pass through my stereo. Naturally, I was not totally unprepared for what was about to rampage through my hifi equipment, but.. Sweet jumping Jesus in an elastic pink rubber suit; this really is something to listen to if one were to grasp the whole concept of sonic warfare using randomized noises, coupled with elements of incomprehensible screaming static, superimposed on a background of delicious raw bitstream noise (except the fact that regular background noise is usually far more pleasant.) First off, the title track. This is the least accessible of the three. If I ever were to try to torture (or kill) a prospective listener, this would be my track of choice. Actually, in addition to encouraging internal hemorrhaging in the victim, it would probably also do a pretty good job in obliterating a couple of vintage high-end tube-systems, as well as a wide selection of speaker systems. But enough about that. If you were lucky enough to make it through the first track, the second - "Dial." - is actually melodic in comparison. Which is not to say it has any real rhythm or conceivable structure to it; however far-reaching interpretations of sound/melody/noise you would choose to apply to your particular definition of musicality. Lastly, "Cap.IV". This one is an excruciating mesh of unconnected noises and static that seem to be playing backwards at around 170% speed. On the positive side, your torture session is now almost over. The fact that someone actually tries to explain this CD in a conventional, approving manner, and in doing so attempts to justify it by employing a "pushing the envelope" kind of rationale, shows the willingness of certain individuals to try to distinguish themselves as self-proclaimed "elitist" listeners. In my opinion this CD serves the sole purpose of creating such people who (in their mind) have the capacity to define structure where it does not exist, and thereby placing those listeners in a league of their own. But for the rest of us: caveat emptor.

I'm not trying to argue with you, because I respect your opinion about not liking this, but I swear to god, I honestly really, really like these songs. I REALLY like them. I'm listening to the EP right now! I don't think you're a moron, I don't think you're uncultured, I don't think you don't "get it." I think we just like different music styles, that's all.I remember reading an article a while ago about one of the guys who founded Mego, and I will never forget that he said something like "I think people who like silence would really enjoy noise," and I think that is so absolutely true. Noise music that covers all sound is very relaxing to me, like silence. I bring that up because Gantz Graf is like the exact opposite of that. It doesn't cover up outside sounds with a wall of sound -- it is spiky, sometimes piercing, and full of cuts, and it intrudes upon your space. It is immediate. You know how the secretary at your work has the radio on, playing some adult contemporary Sarah McLaughlin stuff (yes, I just looked up the spelling of her name), and after about 25 seconds, you don't even realize it's on anymore, because you've unintentionally put it completely out of your head? This is like the exact opposite. You cannot put it out of your mind. It doesn't blend. It doesn't absorb other sounds, it juts around them. I like that. But again, if you don't, that's cool too, all right?? We don't hate you!

The first track, Gantz Graf, is one of the most complex things ever made by the band of musicians. It's rhythm is hypnotic, yet pounding, totally smashing the brain to the ground. The first minute cleans the head pretty well, much like the soft but cold needle-like rain. Other two tracks are not such complicated, but rather cool anyways, Dial makes me think of some crazy pianist breaking loose in front of his instrument, and Cap IV resembles me of Lentic Catachresis and Under BOAC with their tendency to speed up progressively till the end of the track. I recomment this to all you who aren't afraid of listening to different experiments in electronic music. The Gantz Graf video is essential to demoscene freaks and other 3D-art lovers. Alex Rutterford made one of the most adequate IDM videos in the history, I think. There couldn't be more adequate video for this track, for example. :)

I agree with cuntsucker on the video. I have and own the original video (recorded on VHS, somewhere) and was somewhat dissappointed, but the Granf vid, oh my GAWD, so spastic and insane. I was in utter aww. Kinda start out really listening to the music, but all of the sudden your so into it getting sucked into this off beat futuristic world. If you are a 3D animation artist or student, YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE IT!

With Gantz Graf, Autechre rises to the heights of electronic music, acheiving nothing less than equivalence with the best, most experimental composers of the 20th Century. At the same time, Autechre's genealogy as an IDM project comes through in albeit arrhythmic deep bass kicks and crackling snare perversions. To me, this combination makes for more visceral listening than the dry, academic oevres of Elektronische Musik, such as Stockhausen's Kontakte (not to be overly critical of the latter).

I´m very disappointed in the video of Second Bad Vilbel on this one.. it´s not the original version and it´s kind of boring, buying this was 40% of the idea to get the Second Bad Vilbel on DVD. crap. atleast the Gantz_Graf viddy is stunning.

Cap IV is extraordinary! At first it borders on being just irregular noise, but it doesn't take long until you are transfixed and totally into the track. It revolts towards an incredible mass of smashed beats and hypnotic cuts.

gantz graf is the hardest, illest most amazing thing done in electronic music in years. for years autechre have been using max/msp, an audio programming environment, where you can literally program a little drummer for your track, and have access to hundreds if not thousands of objects which can manipulate sound in every way imaginable. i admit i do not know for a fact these tracks were done in max/msp or any other such environment, but it seems pretty obvious to me after using such tools that it must be. at any rate, here we have a little ai orchestra playing for us some of the most intense drill-and-bass ever done. and of course being autechre, there are layers within layers, and this is another recursive masterpiece at once drilling at you with layers of percussion and at the same time singing you a soft and lonely love song somewhere admist the storm.

Good to hear some new material from Autechre. "Gantz Graf" is a turn for new ground, which will probably be broken again come next EP. Loud, chaotic. Reminiscent of "Basscadet", somewhat. My favorite is "Cap.IV". Which is vintage Autechre all the way. A pitter patter of drums and synths that speeds up and gains momentum till the very end.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'm sure that track A1 "Gantz Graf" is based on some sample material of the 5-years-old "Come To Daddy" EP of Aphex Twin (WAP 094). But in general this work is okay. Typical abstract rhythms and sounds for this act, the music is also danceable for the people but that's not their greatest output.

I don't think so.

'Gantz Graf' is the latest offering from Autechre, which contains three brand new tracks and a collection of three videos in DVD format. The music is most times, angular and quite aggressive, but not nearly as abstract as 'Confield'. Still, almost impossible to grasp on first attempts, the title track in particular is somewhat overwhelming with its avalanches of mindblowing beats. But subsequent listens reveal all, with 'Cap.Iv' proving an outstanding highlight. Always in a class of their own... the DVD portion features all three AE videos, including the new one for 'Gantz Graf,' directed by Alex Rutterford, plus 'Second Bad Vilbel,' directed by Chris Cunningham and 'Basscadet' from JS Hunter.

Gantz Graf is better than Confield. The title track is probably the worst of the three, but it's still pretty good. It has the angry feel of songs like "Second Bad Vilbel" or "Netlon Sentinel." "dial" is my personal favorite, a very strange organ-ish sounding instrument plays all sorts of nonsensical riffs and chords at very very high speeds (at 2:16 is the best part in my humble opinion) until it eventually settles into a very slow climb, very suspenseful and builds tension very effectively. It's strange but the organ seems to be going up and down at the same time, like walking up the stairs one step up and two steps down. "CapIV" is absolutely mindnumbing. It actually sounds a lot like "Lentic Catachresis" off of Confield in the way they both end with a repeating sort of drone melody and the "drums" go insane. Yeah. Very good.

Autechre have been treading increasingly shaking ground since LP5 and I find that individually, the tracks are very hit or miss. Most of Grantz_Graf is a miss for me, and it's only salvaged by the stupendous video that accompanies the title track. On its own, the track is unfocused and remarkable only for its sheer lack of any cohesive 'vibe' but as the soundtrack to the video, it's a great piece of futurist sound design. The other tracks on the ep are forgettable, and don't compare to Autechre's 'dancier' tracks from classic albums gone by. Track 3 actually makes me nauseous.

This is an AMAZING EP! The best tracks are Gantz Graf, which is an excellent progression from Confield, and Cap.IV, which IMHO is the BEST Autechre track EVER. Dial is also very very good, but the other 2 tracks are much more sonically engaging. Overall, I rate it 10/10- especially the 2XCD pack with a DVD video of Gantz Graf, Second Bad Vibel and Basscadet- AH!

WOW- Autechre have done it again. The title track "Gantz Graf" is a sonic assault on the senses and the video is even more amazing. Imagine computer generated robotic shapes morphing with the music- on a black grid with title track info and a timer at the bottom of the screen- WOW. The other two videos, Second Bad Vibel and Basscadet, are also excellent but Gantz Graf is truly STATE OF THE ART.

Gantz Graf is the latest document proving that, cliche as it may be, Autechre are indeed pioneers of electronica. Since 1998 or so, rhythms have been the focus of their compositions. This EP, especially the last two tracks, really showcases their skills in creating bewilderingly complex, yet somehow funky rhythms. They are still moving forward with their music...but just barely. With each successive release, they almost seem more set in their ways. Perhaps this EP is a foreshadow of an album to come. Only then will we see if Autechre is still as cutting edge as they once were. Gantz Graf is recommended as a funky, listenable EP, but does not contain any real eye-openers or clues as to what may come next. Globe199