When I first arrived at Leeds University last September I had one major concern. While I knew that the city boasted and incredibly lively and varied club scene, I was still sceptical that my insatiable desire for all things hardcore would be satisfied. Cypher however proved me wrong. This particular event was my most keenly anticipated with a line up boasting old skool masters Altern 8 and Scotlands number one, Scott Brown. As I entered the now familiar Leeds West Indian Centre I was greeted by the uplifting sounds of local acid techno jock, DJ Glowbones, Once again the venue was superbly decorated, with even more artistic drapes, and Cypher banners, adorning the walls of what is essentially a local community centre. As Glowbones journeyed progressively into the more uplifting areas of techno the dancefloor filled up nicely, with raver after raver sporting a customary wide eyed grin. Next up on the decks, which were placed on a stage behind a pair of huge video screens, was another local favourite, DJ GRH. GRH is a DJ who has recently been causing quite a stir on the northern scene, and his versatile and varied style has seen him gain deserved bookings at events such as Sundissential and Frantic. His set saw a welcome rise in tempo, as he unleashed a set of what I can only describe as evil and uplifting hard dance music. Nagging acid lines, brutal hardcore stabs and rolling breakbeats all featured in another strong set from one of hard dance's rising stars. Following on from DJ GRH was Cypher resident DJ Ginge. Sporting his trademark "rave" ponytail, Ginge let loose with a set of tough techno beats, slowly building into more trancey sounds. As resident, Ginge has played at all of the four Cypher's I have attended and has never disappointed. After nearly 4 hours of relentless kick drums I decided to check out the back room for some breakbeat action. Epic was on the decks spinning some classic old skool. While most of you will know Epic from his legendary techno sets at nights such as "North", on this occasion he was spinning some really euphoric old skool tracks from around 93. Stand out track for me has to be the aptly titled "We Are Hardcore" by the not so aptly named House Crew, one of those tunes that really has true classic value but never seems to get the plays by the likes of The Ratpack and Squirrel. Anyway after exercising some of the more relaxed dancing moves at my disposal I headed back into the main room for some more frantic leg kicking with the DJ I had been waiting for all night, Scott Brown. Starting with some mercilessly evil hardcore, the selection moved slowly into more familiar Evolution tunage, with tracks such as "Pilgrem 2000" been played, before finishing up with some nu skool gabba. While the night was supposed to end at 4, DJ Ginge stepped up for his second set of the night for those willing to push themselves any further. The night ended with "Resurection" by PPK pitched up to a healthy +8, as the remaining hardcore nutters danced their way into the morning hours. Once again another superb Cypher event, the crowd were ,as always, brilliantly varied, stretching the stereotypical idea of a "raver" to their very limits, as a huge range of ages danced and smiled their way through a superb night. Next event on the 8th March sees Kevin Energy alongside DJ Sarge and Stay Up Forevers Ant, with a 2 hour old skool set from DJ Sy in the back room.
