Vitamin E by Tekniq: A Hardcore Time Capsule from '92
Alright, let’s talk about Vitamin E, the 1992 banger from Tekniq that’s still giving me flashbacks to sweaty raves and dodgy sound systems. Released under Ozone Recordings in the UK, this album is a wild ride through hardcore and techno vibes, with production creds going to Matt Elliss and Tekniq himself. It’s raw, unfiltered, and feels like it was made for those late-night warehouse sessions where no one cared if the bass rattled your fillings loose.
The standout tracks? Gotta be “I Don’t Want It” and “Vitamin E.” Let’s break it down.
“I Don’t Want It” hits hard right outta the gate. The beat punches you in the chest while these eerie synths swirl around like you’re lost in some neon-lit fever dream. J. Williams and J. Wright nailed the writing on this one—it’s got this hypnotic pull that makes you wanna move but also leaves you feeling kinda haunted. I remember hearing this track at some dingy club years ago, and dude, it stuck with me. Like, I can still hear those claps echoing in my brain even now. It’s not just music; it’s an experience.
Then there’s the title track, “Vitamin E.” This one’s straight fire. It’s relentless, man—like someone took all the chaos of early ‘90s rave culture and distilled it into five minutes of pure energy. The build-ups are insane, and when that drop hits? Forget about it. You’re either dancing or questioning every life choice that led you to this moment. Honestly, I think this track single-handedly kept me awake during more than one questionable shift at work back in the day. Not saying that’s healthy, but hey, it worked.
Looking back, Vitamin E feels like a snapshot of its time—a messy, chaotic, beautiful snapshot. Hardcore and techno were still finding their feet in ‘92, and Tekniq was out here experimenting with sounds that felt dangerous and new. Sure, the production might sound a bit dated now (hello, crunchy drum machines!), but that’s part of its charm. It’s real. No polish, no overthinking—just straight-up vibes.
Here’s the random thought to leave you with: Listening to this album again made me realize how much dance music has changed, but also how little we’ve evolved as people. We’re still chasing that same high, that same escape. Maybe that’s why albums like Vitamin E still resonate. Or maybe I’m just getting old and nostalgic. Either way, crank this up if you need a reminder of what real rave spirit sounds like.
