Altern 8

Altern 8, a British electronic music duo consisting of Mark Archer and Chris Peat, formed in Stafford, United Kingdom, in 1990. Initially known as Nexus 21, they changed their name to Altern 8 and gained prominence in the early 1990s with their distinctive acid house and rave sounds. Their breakthrough came with the release of their debut EP Overload in 1990, followed by several notable singles and EPs, including "Frequency" and The Vertigo EP. In 1992, Altern 8 released their only studio album, Full On... Mask Hysteria, which featured heavy basslines and became a defining work of the UK hardcore scene. The duo were known for their theatrical performances, often wearing gas masks and chemical warfare suits. Notable tracks from this period include "Activ-8", "E-vapor-8", and "Hypnotic St-8". In 1992, Chris Peat ran as a candidate in the UK general election under the Hardcore (Altern8-ive) party but did not win. The duo disbanded in 1994, with Mark Archer continuing to produce music under various aliases. In 2020, Altern 8 returned with new material, including the single "Hard Crew", marking their first release in 27 years.