Octavia Freud and The Weird Sisters
Mancbeth Remixed
Out Now/DL
Revamped, re-energised, and punchier than ever, Mancbeth Remixed from Octavia Freud and The Weird Sisters revives that blistering, pumping 90s nightclub vibe, providing a gritty, modern take on Shakespeare’s bloodiest play. This is the soundtrack to the intriguing, and exhilarating multi-media project from David Lemberg’s Whittaker Lemberg Productions Ltd, involving an eclectic mix of talent from the Oxford indie music scene.
The opening track, Manc Chat (Volcanic Shores remix), perfectly sets the scene, with a fictional Manchester DJ relating how he grew up with small time crook Macbeth, and the Scarface style rise to power dealing the drugs that fuelled the 1990s’ ecstasy craze. ‘Work That Body’ (In-Flight Movie remix) with its heavy, snappy drums echoes the opening titles of Miami Vice, recalling Summer heat, balmy evenings, and pastel coloured t-shirts. ‘Fair Is Foul’ (Silent Weapon remix) lures us into the night, with a scuzzy, foggy opening, and dreamy unnerving drive.
The original CD release of Mancbeth was a triumphant, psychedelic trip into the imagined alternative Manchester drug world, complete with swirling atmospherics, and heart pumping rhythms, with a definite New Order taste. The remix album takes us more into Joy Division territory, encompassing a David Cronenberg nightmare feel, diving deeper into the demonic gutters and beneath-the-skin hallucinations of its Shakespeare influenced characters. The erotic, S&M infused ‘Harder, Faster’ gets the blood pumping, and the nether regions tingling, thanks to synth/post-punk duo Means Of Production; dragging us deep into Clive Barker territory. Invincible (Flights Of Helios remix) adds a lighter touch with angelic voices soothing our brows, while ‘Big Fun, Little Town’ is a jaunty, perky little tune, with a ghostly undertone, remixed by Moogieman.
Long Live The King from Baby Maker ramps up the pace with our Manc DJ back providing a familiar laconic drawl, updating us on Macbeth’s ascent to the top of the crummy, greasy pole.
‘Double Trouble’ (Kamikaze Space Programme remix) is a full-on, gritty, electronic cacophony reminiscent of New Order’s more experimental output. ‘Birnam Wood’ (14M2 remix) plunges us once again into the mind-bending landscape of Macbeth’s drug supplying activities, with more Cronenbergian flourishes, complete with the hypnotic slogan “It’s the new drug!”
This new album of remixes of Octavia Freud’s (real name Martin Andrews) original works is another major step on the Mancbeth journey. There have already been stage presentations in Oxford and at Manchester’s Band On The Wall, and next up is the ultimate prize; Mancbeth the movie. The foundations have been laid, the materials gathered, and the sacred space created for a passionate, intoxicating and mesmerising odyssey. Watch out, world!
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Mancbeth Remixed is available from mancbeth.bandcamp.com
For more information contact www.mancbeth.co.uk
Brian Gorman writes for Louder Than War and this is his author profile.
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