Whilst some mixes allow you to sit back and let an eclectic melange of different sounds circulate your system, Fabriclive.40 is much more involved, assaulting you from all sides and forcing you to take notice of each and every tune. Whether it's the breakneck stylings of Spor's remix of The Qemists' 'Stompbox', the thudding sub of Noisia's own 'Square Fet' or the ridiculously addictive screech of 'Stigma', there will be little that will not filter into your subconscious over the next 29 tracks. Turn it up loud and I dare you not to become consumed.

Obviously with their name on the cover, you'd expect Noisia to construct the mix largely from their own material, but their reliance on such tracks is almost egotistically heavy and causes the mix to suffer from a recurrence of noticeably similar drum loops. This issue is also apparent in their collaborations with The Upbeats who seem religiously addicted to the same patterns time and time again. Of course, whilst variation is often a good thing, here there seems to be a method to the repetition, such like minded tracks are never placed next to each other and thus create an almost phasing effect as we dive in and out of different styles, visiting and re-visiting.

Having said that though, Noisia's inclusions from their own vast catalogue of tunes are primarily excellent and we are treated to some premium cuts including the epic 'Seven Stitches', a horribly heavy Upbeats collab 'Creep Out' and the electro trespasser 'Brown Time'. The external choices which did manage to make it to the table are also unsurprisingly immense, most notably 'Mordez Moi' from Spor, an absolutely epic breaks force lauded over by a punchy synth which resonates in your brain like a mad man and is seamlessly merged into 'Seven Stitches' for the undoubted high point of the entire mix.

Despite a heavy dependence on their own songs, Noisia have still managed to honour the Fabric name with a filthy and entropic compilation of some incredible tunes. Dark and dirty may not be the language of the masses, but for the select few who understand the nature of its possession, Fabriclive.40 will enchant, excite and captivate. Darkstep demiurges they be, chaotic constructors of sinister excellence.

8/10

For more information on Fabriclive.40 and details on how to buy it, head over to Fabric's official site.