EP3 by Fanatic Speed Killer: A Speedcore Time Capsule from 1999
If you’re into electronic music that punches harder than your morning espresso, EP3 by Fanatic Speed Killer might just be the fix you didn’t know you needed. Released in 1999 under Germany’s Speed Beats Records, this little gem dives headfirst into the frenetic world of speedcore—a genre where beats-per-minute numbers look more like phone numbers. Written entirely by EXM (a name that deserves a nod for its no-nonsense vibe), EP3 delivers four tracks of pure chaos and energy.
Let’s talk about “Brainscratchin” first—it’s impossible not to remember. This track feels like someone took a blender full of broken glass, distorted synths, and adrenaline, then hit puree. The relentless tempo is matched only by its jagged, almost industrial edge. It’s one of those songs where you can practically hear the sweat dripping off the DJ booth. You don’t listen to “Brainscratchin”; it assaults you. In a good way, though—like when life throws curveballs but somehow makes you stronger.
Then there’s “Game Over,” which wraps up the EP with what feels like an apocalypse in audio form. Imagine being chased through a neon-lit cyberpunk wasteland while everything around you explodes—that’s this track. Its aggressive layering of samples and pounding drums leaves zero room for chill vibes. What sticks out here isn’t just the technical skill; it’s how raw and unhinged it feels. Like, who even thought this was possible? Props to EXM for making something so chaotic sound oddly cohesive.
The other two tracks, “Lost Angelz” and “Shoot Dis MF,” are solid additions too, keeping the energy sky-high without letting up. But honestly, after hearing “Brainscratchin” and “Game Over,” they feel more like bonus rounds rather than main events.
What’s wild about EP3 is how unapologetically German it feels—not because of any specific cultural markers, but because it embodies that meticulous yet rebellious spirit often found in underground European electronic scenes. Sure, speedcore isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (or shot of Jägermeister?), but if you dig fast-paced madness, this EP nails it.
Looking back at 1999, we had Y2K panic sweeping the globe, boy bands dominating pop charts, and Napster changing the game. Meanwhile, tucked away in Germany, Fanatic Speed Killer dropped EP3, reminding us all that sometimes music doesn’t need to make sense—it just needs to rip your face off. And honestly? That’s kinda beautiful.
