Following the sprawling, genre-kicking electronic tour de force that was 2004's sublime comeback "Well Come", electro originators and instigators Portion Control emerge once more with brand new Maxi / DVD package "Stansted". As a homage to the terminal buildings from which it drew its name its musical perfection - an architecturally dense construction of textured layers and gridded electronics. Maxi opener "Blood Rushed To Head" bursts into life with Teutonic machine rhythms, phased vocals and spectral synth work ( reminiscent of early(ish) Skinny Puppy and more commercial Cabaret Voltaire ) while the second chorus brings on board a killer sequencer line adding to the overall oppressive atmospherics. Machine cold and claustrophobic its a fine way to start. Track 2 "Gate 57" ( also included in visual form on the accompanying DVD ) is an excursion into the darker, sculpted electro-ambience and experimentation found on "Well Come" - synth drones, echoing rhythms and layered caustic effects / voice samples building the layers of tension and dread. Track 3 "Chew You To Bits ( Rebuild )" begins with an invocative chanting mantra that segues to an up tempo electro- almost-pop beat frame, with catchy EBM aggro-vocals enhanced by tight programming and a brilliantly simple ( aren't they the best ? ) sequencer line : Its infectious Portion Control at their best. "The Way Out" ( of Stansted ? ) returns to the slow brooding dense construct of edgy electronix, while EP closers "Blood Rushed To Dub" and "Chew You Dubbed" offer amped up instrumental versions of the two club tracks on here.

"Stansted" gets further upgraded with the inclusion of a two track 8cm DVD transmission - rounding out the package with something very special. Two digital videos ( recorded at Stansted it would seem ) for "Blood Rushed To Head" and "Gate 57" offer cut up images, digital interference and blurred visual accompaniments that fit the songs perfectly.

As neat, perfectly presented packages of distilled electro come "Stansted" is near perfect, as appealing to fans of hardcore EBM, to ambient aficionados, electronica experts ( fans of Hands will love this ) and most points in between. Never has the expression small but perfectly formed been more fitting for a release. Portion Control offer perfectly restrained electronic music and visuals with a unique and innovative sound design and presentation.