Mixerr Album Reviews #2,588

Deus-Ex-Machina - Threat Of Aggression is a highlight of some of the best old school techno from 1992. The single had techno stompers such as Threat Of Aggression and Rage. This is pure rave techno here. The single charted all the way to #1 on Chicago Techno Charts and #5 in Miami, which had a much smaller techno scene, back in 1992. As expected this single was popular in the underground techno scene during that time. Deus-Ex-Machina was a side project affiliated with the synth-pop/new wave band London Exchange. Sadly their side project never took off and their single went unnoticed by the masses which is a shame because their single charted in the single digits underground.


Threat Of Aggression was a techno stomper from back in the day many techno fans and electronic fans remember. Threat Of Aggression charted all the way to #1 on Chicago Techno Charts and #5 in Miami, which had a much smaller techno scene, back in 1992. Many techno fans remember the vocal samples that were used in this song. This song was popular in the underground techno scene. Vocal samples in this stomper were used from 1951 film The Day the Earth Stood Still which is where those vocals come from.

The song starts off with the vocal sample saying, “And the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated.” over sirens and distorted clash cymbals. A hodgepodge of quirky ethereal electronic synths are used throughout the song.


Threat Of Aggression (Sonic Rave Mix) is much more distorted then the 7" Original Mix of Threat Of Aggression. This version uses more techno oriented beats and techno based pads at a tempo of 129 BPM. This is pure rave techno here. John Phipps kills it with those chords.

Threat Of Aggression (Sonic Rave Mix) charted all the way to #1 on Chicago Techno Charts and #5 in Miami, which had a much smaller techno scene, back in 1992. Many techno fans remember the vocal samples that were used in this song. This song was popular in the underground techno scene. Vocal samples in this stomper were used from 1951 film The Day the Earth Stood Still which is where those vocals come from.

The song starts off with the vocal sample saying, “And the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated.” over sirens and distorted clash cymbals. A hodgepodge of quirky ethereal electronic synths are used throughout the song.


Threat Of Aggression (Klaatu Klub Mix) experiments with the sounds of industrial techno at a tempo of 129 BPM. This version is different from the original as this version uses a repeated looped vocal sample which goes as “the threat of aggression” several times throughout the song. This version is not as well known as the 7" Original Mix and the Sonic Rave Mix but is just as popular.


Rage a great old school techno tune which is electronic pads, electronic synths, and chords. John Phipps kills it with those chords. Rage uses a tempo of 129 BPM in similar fashion and format to Threat Of Aggression (Sonic Rave Mix) and Threat Of Aggression (Klaatu Klub Mix). Although there are not as many of those vocal stabs as was the case with Threat Of Aggression. Nevertheless Rage is just as good of an old school techno tune as Threat Of Aggression is.

I rate this single 5/5*****!!