BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987
“Masterhit” is a 1987 single by the Belgian electronic music group Front 242 that came into prominence during the 1980s. Pioneering the style they called electronic body music, they were a profound influence on the electronic and industrial music genres. Released by Wax Trax! Records, “Masterhit” appears on the band’s third studio album “Official Version”.
The sample saying “You know me and I sure know you, everyone” is from the surreal 1983 sci-fi movie “Videodrome” written & directed by David Cronenberg.
SIDE A:
Masterhit (Part I – Masterblaster) 7:07
SIDE B:
Masterhit (Part II – Hypnomix) 4:35
Masterhit (Part III – LP Edit Version) 4:59
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Wax Trax! Records – WAX 036
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: EBM
NOTES:
Jacket Made in Canada
Side A: runs on 45 rpm
Side B: runs on 33 ⅓ rpm
MASTERED BY TRUTONE -9-87
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Schiit Mani
Soundcard: ESI Juli@ XTe Audio Interface
Monitiring: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Username: btg
Password: burningtheground
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I have the 12″ of Headhunter which has never been ripped anywhere if there is interest!
That would be great. BTW: I`lookingg for he following 12″ ones from A Split-Second:
1987: Flesh/Rigor Mortis
1988: Mambo Witch
1988: Colloseum Crash
Cheers
hi paul, i am also a fan of the early front 242, wax trax, and industrial scene. it’s a little too harsh of a scene now. but back then i was more interested in the sounds. much like cabaret voltaire, and front line assembly, along with nitzer ebb. masterhit is a cool single, and there is a resurgence of news about the waxtrax label, including a very good documentary that is out now. recommend that anyone interested in the scene to check it out. i have a lot of these albums, and singles, but am clearing out almost all of… Read more »
Thank you so much 🙂
A long time ago, Front 242 were a support act for Depeche Mode, one of the first concerts, I was allowed to go 🙂
I bought the album “Front by front” a while after that, one of my all-time-favourite CDs.
Yours, Thomas
Love this one! Thanks Paul.
Perfecto! Thank you for this, it’s possibly my favorite 242 song.
Amazing, anything Wax Trax! related is a treat to see, especially on your site. Great memories seeing this bunch in Toronto in ’91. Thanks Paul!
Love industrial music. Thank you for this post.
Wow Paul!! You’ve introduced one of my obsessions today: Front 242!!! This band really meant a lot to me. Well, everything on the Wax Trax label did. I was so into Industrial back then. You know me, I love beats, so when they started getting rougher and tougher, I was all along for the ride. I even got to see Front 242 in concert once with Ministry and KMFDM!! What a trill and a trip!! I’m so excited that others have chimed-in to express their love for this band! Wow, I can’t tell you how gobsmacked I am to have… Read more »
I really got into 242 especially after they released “Headhunter” their records were so raw and sexually charged. I had forgotten how great 242 really is until I was working on this record. Glad to see others are fans too 🙂
OMG Jeff, I read your messages most days, so thought I knew your tastes, but the last band I would ever expect you to have gone and seen is Ministry! 😀 😀
Never got to see them myself, but have a few of their albums from early 90s, along with Al Jourgensen’s other fabulous band, the Revolting Cocks. (I’ve tried in the past to convince Paul that their version of Physical is better than Olivia’s, but I don’t think he’s having any of it. 😉 😉 )
Jermajesty!! I thought it was so very cool to get a reply from you. There are certain posters here that I really like and respect and you are one of them. Yes, my tastes are varied and sometimes on/over the edge, but anything that moves me on a physical and emotional level really ring true to me. It was a trip seeing Ministry! I love their original New Wave stylings and enjoyed their excursion into Industrial music. I even loved some of their early 90’s releases, even though they sometimes scared the bejesus out of me! I did see them… Read more »
What a wonderful surprise! This song put me in a craze searching everywhere for more F242 stuff. This is pure EBM, disco-noir, electrifying and gorgeous track that even the most poppier one would like it. Highly appreciated, specially that not very often seen LP Edit version.
Those remastered CDs from Epic in the mid Nineties are very very good, but probably you did a sonically better job.
Thank you!
You’re welcome Alberto 🙂
UNBELIEVABLE, Front 242!!
One of the firsts and best tracks of 242, I Can’t believe you posted this gem. two thumbs up for DJPaul.
This track is a mature piece of music that draws the attention of all Industrial music lovers although today they call it EBM but in my days they were the pioneers of Industrial music.
Thanks, DJ Paul you are the best 🙂
In this industrial tredition, I would love to see you posting Luxury by Frank Tovey aka Fad Gadget… well, one can always wish for another timeless gem 😉
Hugo
Thank you Hugo I will see what I can do 🙂
Thanks for the post, Paul! Although Front 242 was a bit too hard for my taste back in the 80s, I liked their push for something new and different. Their 1993 track, Religion, had a fantastic remix called the Pussy Whipped mix by J.G. ThirlWell and I would highly recommend everyone to listen to the first 2 minutes (especially with headphones). It’s an adrenaline rush and at 1:05 a Geiger counter sound emanates and is quite a trip! I wonder why they used both 45 and 33 1/3 speeds on this record. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that on… Read more »
The simple reason for the different speeds is because of the quality differences. while A side is for Club playing and has higher quality and a greater dynamic range while B side is for listening and not specifically for club playing.
There are some bands out there that employ a 12 inch with both 33 1/3 & 45 rpm on a single 12′ inch, like Night Moves (Electronic band from 1983) the most famous one is by Buddy Fite, featuring “Glad Rag Doll” backed with “For Once in My Life” (1970) as a marketing experiment to raise sales.
Hi. I am aware of the quality differences but never have seen any vinyl use 2 different speeds before. Thanks for the other references!
Sire and Island Records were famous for releasing most vinyl at 45 RPM.
The Belgium and Sweden 12″ singles are also mastered at 33 and 45 pretty sure it was a mastering decision giving the A side track more groove space. I know I have posted some other singles that were at both speeds but I cannot think of them off hand.