Juanpablo – Standeasy Show #17
frigio records
Juanpablo @ Acido Royale, Winterthur (Switzerland) 16.12.2016
Hesperius Draco – Actus Tragicus LP [FRV023-2LP1]
Frigio release the first album from Alessandro Parisi’s sepulchral dwelling pseudonym Hesperius Draco. Donning the ceremonial robes, the conventions of house, techno and horror soundtracks are blurred as past, present and future merge. Stalking darkness and light, bordering the divine and profane, “Actus Tragicus” pulls the dancefloor into the murky shadows of Rome. Ritualistic chants, chilling choirs and hissing beats are brewed across two slabs of vinyl. BPMs dip and rise as Hesperius Draco takes you on a winding journey through the catacombs of his world.
Sneaker – The Midas Touch EP [FRV022]
Editor extraordinaire, Sneaker welcomes you to marvel at his Midas Touch. Happy disco or chirpy funk edits these ain’t. Instead the Rat Life man unearths three dark obscurities and further blackens their already sinister sounds.’Playground’ by Click Click first came out in 1988. Sneaker maintains the tension, the steady and strained notes as vocals tell a tale of shrouded menace. Ralph Lundsten opens the flip, his 1970 track ‘Through A Landscape of Mirrors’ is bolstered with snapping rhythms, synths are smeared and wrenched as the twisted hand of Dunkeltier takes control. The last instalment, first released on Ant-Zen in 2006, is Geneviève Pasquier’s ‘Fairy Tale.’ A gritty track of reduced industrial essences, the original has been extended and further muddied for ready-made dancefloor corruption.
Juanpablo / ArD2 – Gliptolito [FRV021/STR002]
Gliptolito sees Frigio return to its beginnings whilst making a bold statement of future intent. This time in collaboration with Seti Recordings for a split release by the heads of both labels. Juanpablo shares the platter with ArD2, the team of Ekis and Penélope Martín (of NSRB-11 and Zwischenwelt.) Label boss Juanpablo opens with his ever evolving sound. Rasping beats and subtle key changes are warmed by basslines in the cerebral “Ica”. “There is a Silence” comes from a similarly esoteric place, gentle chords shimmering against glitchy undercurrents and clean drums. ArD2 follow up their 2010 appearance on Frigio with two tracks of complex machine funk. Sidelined is their trademark electro sound as the pair lean towards electronica and broken percussion for “Winter.” Colder tones arrive with “Utopia”, sublime string work warming them through to bring “Gliptolito” to a close.
Juanpablo – Magic Waves Podcast #14
Le Chocolat Noir – Transform EP [FRV020]
Frigio Records is on the road again with Le Chocolat Noir. The Croatian artist, known for Disco Panonia and his work as Honored Matres, is no stranger to Frigio, having featured on All Stars Vol 1 in 2014. “Transform EP” is introduced by the industrial mental sounds of “Greedy Pets” which brings a new name to the roster as June delivers his interpretation of it. A grimy wave edge is pursued by the Greek machine man for a driving take. The original staggers into being. Drums slip and bass rumbles in a tense and terse piece of gritty music. Then Le Chocolat Noir offers the dark and looming “N.E.T.”. Blackened lyrics are sampled as thick bars of synth and licks of acid make for a menacing curtain fall on side A. On the flip side, the steely claps and burbling bass are rinsed in metal for the gleaming EBM infused “Doing Dishes” with vocals ghost beneath the currents. Following up, vocals ghost beneath the currents, vocals picked up by Colombia’s Cute Heels as the electronic savant debuts on Frigio for a simmering aquatic remix.
Hesperius Draco Live @ Femur Club at Specka (Madrid) 27.11.2015
Hesperius Draco – Northern Sages EP [FRV019]
Frigio Records are delighted to announce that Alessandro Parisi is once again donning the darkened robes of Hesperius Draco. Following the acclaimed Cathar Rhythms this supremely talented Italian artist delivers. The five track mini-album continues the Draco search to balance tainted techno, sinister synth and soulful sounds. The underhanded rumblings of “Tronitum Domini” introduces before filth encrusted bass blurs the menacing visage of “Mjolnir”, claps scarring the already grimacing sounds. To end the first side, the medieval blast of “ASI Kingdom (Mitt Hjerte)” is track that surely won’t pass unnoticed. Skies crack with thunder by analogue alchemist Drvg Cvltvre on this interesting remix of “Fenrir Eye” which original version ends the release with Blackened clouds build for the intense and tapering approach.
Juanpablo – Phormix Podcast #25
Most Significant Beat – Geometric State Compilation [FRV018]
What did the pioneers of Industrial and Synth Wave do when the age of Techno dawned in the early nineties? The simple answer is, some made Techno. Well that’s what Maurizio Martinucci (aka TeZ adn now part of Clock DVA) and Esplendor Geometrico’s Saverio Evangelista did back in the day as Most Significant Beat. This project has lain dormant for more than twenty years but has been dusted down, given a stiff drink and set to wax by Frigio Records. All tracks were recorded in between 1996 – 2000 and were released on CD for Geometrik Records years back except the first track “Geometric State” which is unreleased. Rediscovered prototypes from the founding fathers of electronic music.
Juanpablo – The Hideout [FRV017]
Frigio label founder Juanpablo is back, this time with a full five track mini-LP. Darkness gathers above the needle’s edge as the Colombian artist delivers the shadow strewn The Hideout. Abstraction is balanced against dancefloor clout across this quintet of underworld electronics. Rhythms curve and bend, scattering into the blackened chasms of “Chrome Light” and “Shadow’s Color,” before resurfacing into the light of “Indumorg.” The title piece burns with a slow intensity. Sinister coils of Acid drip, skies bruise and ash rains before “They Watching You” closes.
Hesperius Draco – Cathar Rhytms LP [FRV016]
Few newcomers have created that stir that Italy’s Alessandro Parisi has caused. Following releases on Lux Rec, Minimal Rome and Flight Recorder this young producer has captivated audiences with his textured electronics and vivid soundscapes. It is to this bright talent that Frigio Records have turned to proudly introduce the label’s first full vinyl full length: Cathar Rhythms. Soundtracks have always been a focal point for Parisi, a core of his inspiration. This love of the analogue movie score permeates the six track album, fortified with a new toughened rhythmic edge.
VA – Frigio All Stars Vol. 1 [FRV014]
Frigio Records is packing a bag and setting off on a global electronic music trip for this new series ‘All Stars Vol.1’ First stop: Great Britain. Isle of Wight denizen I-Land Beat returns to Frigio following his excellent Cybernautics EP. The South of England artist doesn’t take any prisoners, dishing up a churning pot of atomic House. Stabbing synthlines call up memories of Altern-8 as chords rampage alongside samples and chopped beats for an especially spicy starter. Next, Korea. Pera Yang is a young exciting producer with a raucous message. From his digital album, TCNO1 , ‘Automagical’ is chosen for some special vinyl attention. The track is a raging piece of industrially warped Techno. Pulsating beats jostle against one another before Yang sends all through the shredder. Honored Matres is the blackened acid moniker of Croatian artist Le Chocolat Noir aka Jasmin Yas (the man behind Disco Panonia.) 303 venom drips from beginning to end as claps, cymbals and snares dissect looping vocals for a dark and disturbing floor destroyer. For the finale Frigio returns home, Spain’s Vagon Brei, aka Victor Ramos, delivering ‘80861M.’ The Spaniard is best known for his dreaming Ambient soundscapes on labels like Strange Life and Further Records, but here he is in playful humour. Warbling acid chords thrill, bending under skillfully programmed beat patterns for an intoxicating close.
Juanpablo – Lost Series (Part 2) [FRV013]
Lost Series (Part 2) is the continuation of the series started by Juanpablo last year and as in part one, the music grows out of the darkest recesses of the natural world. These series are dedicated to creatures that are disappearing from this planet because of human colonization of their territory. Four tracks have been skillfully constructed by the Colombian artist, each one leading the listener deeper into the mindset of the Frigio boss.
Esplendor Geometrico – Francotirador EP [FRV012]
Frigio is very honored to release the biggest and most important Spanish electronic project of all times Esplendor Geometrico. From the early 80s until today, theyve been delivering the most authentic, raw and powerful industrial electronics you can hear Francotirador which means Sniper is a track recorded back in 1989 and this record includes original plus 3 remixes by Sneaker (who previously did a remix for Twilight Ritual), Juanpablo (head of Frigio Records) and Spanish producer Vinz Vincenzo.
Seldom Seen – Catwalk EP [FRV011]
Frigio proudly presents one of the best producers from the Detroit techno academy, now based in L.A, Seldom Seen aka Santiago Salazar delivers the amazing Catwalk EP. Fierce, extrava, glamorous, attitude, fabulous, drama…. All these words could describe what you will find on this record of one track and two versions.
Ideograma – Geographic Ascending EP [FRV010]
Madrid based artist Ideograma (aka DJ F) gets released on Frigio for the first time and delivers the most intelligent and elegant techno tunes you can find at the moment. Geographic Ascending EP comes with 4 unique tracks full of class and emotions. All tracks were done with 100% analogue gear to create sophisticated melodies and a raw texture that make the final result very warm.
Exillon – Mind Technocontrol EP [FRV009]
Frigio happily announces a new release by San Francisco based artist Exillon who is well known for his amazing works for Detroit Underground among other labels. In Mind Techno Control EP, Exillon (aka Jay Fields) drops 3 energetic and overwhelming tracks. On side A we have an incredible 10 minute long acid techno killer that for sure will burn dancefloors. You can hear all the analogue gear frequencies bouncing in your bones. On B side, the 2 tracks keep the same forcefulness and get closer to an IDM drum structure that maintain the groove but out of the straight 4×4 beat. By using deeper melodies and mixing different styles, the result is very rich in textures and makes the sound exotic.
Juanpablo – Lost Series (Part 1) [FRV008]
Frigio Records presents the first part of the “Lost Series” by Juanpablo. This first series are dedicated to creatures that are disappearing from this planet because of human colonization of their territory. This time, Juanpablo drops us 3 tracks with a strong identity and lots of energy that combine similar elements of heavy atmospheres and deep melodies using structures from different electronic styles but with a final result that could be difficult to describe. This record includes an amazing and unique remix by Mick Wills featuring Isabella Venis & Intergalactic Gary.
The Hipodrome Of Music 