I don't mind my beats being chopped and broken and played with, but I think that the Amen is a bit played out. It's 2005, find a different sample.
Gabber is the reason that people who hate electronic music, hate electronic music.
My favorite ambience lately: Fennesz - Venice, Marsen Jules - Herbstlaub (although the latter is borderline fluxion in its minimalism).
My two favorite electronic finds in the past few months:
Triola - Triola Im Fünftonraum
Lusine - Serial Hodgepodge
I love the beats cut up beyonf recognition, which is where the whole drill n bass thing comes in. It's the gabber style 'dum dum du du dum' at 200+BPM that just bores the hell out of me, which is why I ain't a huge fan of those two albums. It's pretty fun live (for a bit), but on CD, just dull.
I still find it pretty funny that this whole 'cutting edge' breakcore scene is based around nothing but the Amen Break. It's a nice break, I'm not denying it, and seeing the massive variation you can get from one sample is cool, but like you say, it's getting a little played out. I really don't see why they can't apply the same ideas to some new drum sounds, but if I look hard wnough I'm sure I can find people who are destroying other prefectly innocent drum loops.
You are clearly a man of admirable (not to mention obscure) taste, so I'm all over those 4 albums you mentioned. If I can find them. It could well be a struggle, as I've never heard of any of them, and that usually means they are hassle to find.
On an album purchasing note, I just got Cali Agents - How The West Was One off Ebay for £3 including P&P. Score!
