Oscar Mulero – Muscle and Mind [POLEGROUP031]

”Muscle and Mind is the return of Oscar Mulero to long plays, after Grey fades to Green and Black Propaganda. ‘Muscle’ and ‘mind’ may seem antagonistic terms in real life, but in terms of music they make sense together, especially when talking about techno. The coalition of introspection and abstraction is not incompatible with the rough and the percussive, and this album is a good example of this. The underlying message behind the title refers to the reflection of mental states in the body, the genesis of emotions where body and mind are managed by the sense of hearing. Throughout these twelve tracks, one can dive into the musical world of this producer whose discourse mutates in every album, always intricate, always meticulous. Darkness acts as a thread and repetition as hypnotic therapy. But now, he sets his usual hard sound aside and looks for a much more cared for and precise sound , where there is room even for a harmony and musicality that go hand in hand with danceability. The combination of atmospheres and rhythms is constant throughout the album. Each of the cuts has been prepared with few sonic elements. He takes elements away one by one, and keeps exclusively the necessary. A record that has been developed during endless hours in airports and travelling, absorbing influences from all over the planet. Made in solitude but surrounded by people who don’t know what you are really doing on that computer. To close the circle, the album was mixed in professional studio using solid state technology, which gives this work a unique warmth that cannot be achieved in a domestic environment.”

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Oscar Mulero – Muscle and Mind [POLEGROUP031]

Cosmin Trg – Uzura / Vitriol [FIZIC002]

Following almost a year of studio silence, Cosmin TRG returns with two stunning techno tracks.”Uzura” is the darkest, most abrasive music that the Romanian producer has released. Drums pound frenetically, the rhythm is plunged down a soot-caked wind tunnel and the end result is a track so frenetic and extreme that it makes everything else he has done seem understated. Even “Vitriol” doesn’t have the same clout. Like “Uzura”, it too is caked in a grimy coat, but is slower and more teased. That said, the gurgling acid lines and intense, modulating climaxes ensure that it is Cosmin Nicolae’s most visceral record to date.

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Cosmin Trg – Uzura / Vitriol [FIZIC002]

Delta Funktionen – Wasteland – Chapter II: Chasm of Chills [RAM-X-04]

Somewhere deep in the Andromeda Galaxy lies the mysterious planet Wasteland. Little is known. Though, rumor says it inhabits lifeforms from all over the Laniakea supercluster. These lifeforms have only one thing in common: on their home planet they are part of the Mutant Society. Does Wasteland exist? And what are these lifeforms doing there? Are they desperately looking for the Lifewater Oasis? Which dangers are they opposed to? What is the Korath System? As an exclusive product for members of the Mutant Society on Earth, Radio Matrix recorded the auditory data from its latest visitor, Delta Funktionen. Spread over 4 EP’s, it tells the intense story of his journey towards Wasteland. This is the second chapter: Chasm of Chills.

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Delta Funktionen – Wasteland – Chapter II: Chasm of Chills [RAM-X-04]

Delta Funktionen – Wasteland – Chapter I: Goodbye, Galaxy! [RAM-X-03]

Somewhere deep in the Andromeda Galaxy lies the mysterious planet Wasteland. Little is known. Though, rumor says it inhabits lifeforms from all over the Laniakea supercluster. These lifeforms have only one thing in common: on their home planet they are part of the Mutant Society. Does Wasteland exist? And what are these lifeforms doing there? Are they desperately looking for the Lifewater Oasis? Which dangers are they opposed to? What is the Korath System? As an exclusive product for members of the Mutant Society on Earth, Radio Matrix recorded the auditory data from its latest visitor, Delta Funktionen. Spread over 4 EP’s, it tells the intense story of his journey towards Wasteland. This is the first chapter: Goodbye, Galaxy!

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Delta Funktionen – Wasteland – Chapter I: Goodbye, Galaxy! [RAM-X-03]

Mobach – XieniX Vol. 1 [NSYDE012]

nsyde is starting a new series of releases, and Volume 1 comes from close label artist and friend Mobach. Entitled XieniX (which is a phonetical Dutch spelling for “I can’t see anything”) the series is named after an influential 90s club in the city of Gouda that made a lasting impact on the young Mobach.

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Mobach – XieniX Vol. 1 [NSYDE012]

Kryptic Universe – shtum 007 [SHTUM007]

Kryptic Universe is back on track with his second EP for Shtum. And it’s a return in full glory with Kryptic Universe doing his Future Jazz thing like nobody else can do. Just listen to the seemingly never stopping “Skala”, which is building and building into twirling Techno madness. Then we have “Drifter’s Garden”, a pretty dark affair with fizzing synth effects getting out of control. “Bodies They Came Out Of” is no less gloomy and hits hard with an attitude that reminds of those glorious days when Techno was played in rough basements and ravers couldn’t see each other through the smoke. Finally, “Alphazerfall” in the Lockertmatik Remix shows off his funky side.

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Kryptic Universe – shtum 007 [SHTUM007]

Ø [Phase] – Tunnel Vision / Internal Conflict [TOKEN052]

The 52nd release on Token Records is a steely and mechanical two tracker from Ø [Phase]. ‘Tunnel Vision/Internal Conflict’ 12” captures perfectly the grainy, oddball approach which has garnered Burchett’s productions so much attention in recent years. This is techno for the small hours – frantically paced, disorientating and charged with adrenaline.

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Ø [Phase] – Tunnel Vision / Internal Conflict [TOKEN052]

SP-X – Moving Through Mirrors 1-3 [T2XS201]

Big release again on Peter Van Hoesen’s Time To Express label. A set of 3 releases by SP-X. The Moving Through Mirrors series showcases lean, contemporary techno. Part 1 kicks off with E.T.A. and Return To Function, both prime examples of the stripped-down sweatbox grooves SP-X excels at. For adult dancefloors only.

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SP-X – Moving Through Mirrors 1-3 [T2XS201]

Entro Senestre – Surface [DKMNTL025]

Connecticut’s Jon Beall, recording as Entro Senestre, makes his debut for Dekmantel. Beall has taken his signature vintage flavors of techno and electro and pushed them into news spheres of the frightening, combining chalky, continuous drum tracks with an ear for emotionally challenging melodies. Championing timeless electro-techno that breathes real soul, this four tracker does Senestre proud and alters a dynamic EP that is ear-piercing and contemplative, nifty and evocative.

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Entro Senestre – Surface [DKMNTL025]

Austerity – The Return Of The Ottoman Empire [AUSTERITY005]

”The austerity policies imposed by the governments of Northern Europe countries has impoverished the Mediterannean lands. The failure of Bruxelles’ bureaucracy has smoothed the way for th return of the Ottoman empire. Austerity is a collective of protesting producers coming from the periphery of the European Union. Their tough-sounding music is a reaction to the unfair decison of the Troika; their message of peace is conveyed through hardware hard-core house music. ”

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Austerity – The Return Of The Ottoman Empire [AUSTERITY005]

DJ Spider – Upon The Gates Of The Great Depth [PBR041LP]

Menacing beats by DJ Spider are presented here in a double vinyl package. There is plenty of material here for dance floor damage as well as mental. Plan B Recordings is on top of its game with it’s 41st release and with many more to come.

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DJ Spider – Upon The Gates Of The Great Depth [PBR041LP]