In the last years the Berlin-based duo Ausgang got attention in the worldwide techno scene through releases on their own label Ausgang Records. Nico and Roseen show on their first LP a clear vision of taste and quality, coming from the true techno culture. Eight tracks moving from electro to techno, based on radical essential elements reflecting their 90ies roots. Both share the basic idea of techno: raw and gritty sounds with pounding rhythms. Made for darkened rooms with fog and strobe lights. Nothing more, nothing less.
Feral Colony is the new label from U.S. based artist Chris Mitchell (Vanguard Sound, Annunaki Cartel, Sistrum, Sons of Traders, Black Lodge etc), focused on direct, improvised methods. In a world of over-production, outlandish claims, and endless editing, we stand firm.
The fourth release (ZC-ELEC004) of the Electro Acid Series has arrived. With ”Lightsplitter”, you can expect four dancefloor fillers that also provide truly captivating listening experiences. Created by The Human Behind Pluto, Johnfaustus and VSO who’s passion for electro, acid and IDM meet.
This new Acid Avengers EP celebrates the new UK electro scene with two of his most talented ambassadors : London-based producer Nite Fleit, known for some killer records on Unknown To The Unknown, Return to Disorder and International Chrome, and Bornemouth-based producer False Persona, who just released an EP on Nite Fleit’s label Atomic Alert. The result of this association is six punchy acid tracks, somewhere between funky electro and dark techno.
The 3rd release from Audition goes further into the sci-fi sound he is renowned for. “Irrational” invites you into a paranoid trance with its relentless synth line that seems to want to haunt you forever. Next up is “Tense” which, as the title suggests, creates a hard-hitting tension throughout the track supported by heavy syncopated rhythm. The EP ends with “Rumours” a beatless, brooding track that feels like you re entering a never-ending black hole.
Ten years ago, Acid Test began with a simple concept – each track the label released would make use of the Roland TB-303. Like a producer purposefully paring down their studio setup, or the continuous imperative within underground electronic music to reduce, this concept engendered creativity with the introduction of what seemed to be an aesthetic limit. However, the decade that followed, which now culminates in the triple-LP compilation Ten Years Of Acid Test, proves acid is limitless. That the Berlin-via-LA label would expand upon the classical conception of acid house and techno is no surprise considering the cast of characters that have come in fold over the past decade. Ten Years Of Acid Test gathers key material from the label’s extended family of acid acolytes. There’s that Vienna-via-LA maestro of sad, elegant acid Tin Man (Johannes Auvinen), whose “Afters Acid” is both a highlight within his prolific catalogue and a distillation of his symphonic approach to the 303. Detroit giants Erika and Marcellus Pittman, both of whom have released remixes on Acid Test, present their respective and singular Bass Line visions. Erika, the Interdimensional Transmissions lynchpin, crafts a dark, delicate take on broken techno on “Violet Fungus” while Pittman continues his cubist house explorations on “Unknown Species,” both tracks straying from typical acid lines in favor of the intricate textures achievable on the 303. This variation in approach applies to tempo as well. Irish-based master Lerosa, as well as Delsin affiliate VC-118A, delve into downtempo atmospherics. Meanwhile, Japanese deep techno virtuoso Wata Igarashi, SUED co-founder SW. (a regular on Acid Test’s leftfield sub-label Avenue 66) and Patricia (one-half of Acid Test act Ociya) use acid as a creative jumping-off point for complex melodic concepts. Wata layers an orchestra of synth-bliss drone overtop a squelchy bassline on “Ephemeral.” SW.’s “ChaIAnJAzzz” cycles through an array of dusted chords eventually landing in skewed, fuzzy rave nostalgia, anthemic chords held aloft by a wicked UK-flavour bass line. Patricia’s “Higher Still” explores dreamy, IDM-flavoured acid, cinematic synthlines counterbalanced by propulsive, squelching acid. Acid Test devotees will be thrilled at the return of various luminaries from the catalogue, including Achterbahn D’Amour, Skudge, AAAA, John Tejada and Donato Dozzy, whose memorable remix of Tin Man’s “Nonneo” from Acid Test 01 served as a kind of proof of concept for the label. There’s new blood too. San Francisco up-and-comer Sepehr makes his label debut with the excellent “Persian Acid Prince,” as does Andreas Tilliander’s beloved hardware techno project, TM404. Ten Years Of Acid Test is a valuable portrait of a group of artists linked by a dedication to innovation within acid, in line with the genre’s storied roots. Over ten years, Acid Test has gracefully made a case for the 303’s past, present and future, the story of acid continuing to unfurl in unpredictable, addictive patterns.
Bicep continue to bolster their Feel My Bicep imprint with another reimagined classic. With this – the seventh addition to the catalogue, the Irish duo pay homage to another equally seminal recording as they rework ‘In Yer Face’ by 808 State.
“Dead Beats 1” brings together new and returning artists to Death Decay Magic, featuring tracks by Daniel Holt, Happy707, Heidi Sabertooth, Hissarlik, Man 2.0, Stockholm Syndrome AU and label boss Black Light Smoke.
Murder Tbilisi, the Georgian record label, continues exploring electronic soundscapes and returns with third V/A compilation, featuring exclusive tracks from Soft Crash, Silent Servant, Volvox, Restive Plaggona, OTHR and Puritan.
Djedjotronic blasts us off on an interstellar journey with The Great Red Spot EP, the ninth release on International Chrome. Named after the ancient and gigantic storm on Jupiter (bigger than the Earth), the EP is similarly massive with a swirling, constantly moving energy. Includes a Jensen Interceptor remix.
A little more than 2 years ago, labelhead honchos Paul & Dave released their “Nobody is Anywhere EP” on their own imprint Dynamic Reflection. It was a statement about the status quo in the techno scene back then, where many artists didn’t know which way to go. Ironically enough, the contrary is very true as we speak. The “Anybody is Nowhere EP” responds to their previous work and reflects the uncomfortable time we are currently living in, driven by uncertainty. Even though these are not the happiest thoughts, the track titles show that there is hope left. “Emergence” is a very seductive but psychedelic trip towards “Discharge”, which feels like Abstract Division discharges themselves completely. The last track, “Polarise” points out the current divided society, which sets some doubtful thoughts about the future. Scandinavian rebel and Northern Electronics patron Anthony Linell provides his interpretation of the track “Emergence” and delivers a distinctive remix as only he can.
Holden Federico’s first SK_X release has been one worth waiting for. The New Yorker blends a mix of hard brutal percussive drive and powerful kick drums with his beautifully written melodies which stem from his background in classical music. Throughout the EP Holden’s musical background is ever dominant–vibrant synth lines provide a sense of body and feeling in the music, while straight techno rhythms keep the dance floor happy and the feet moving.
DJ Savage is a techno producer from Thessaloniki, Greece and this is the second set of recordings which have been released, 20 years after being produced.
5 tracks of pure heat of various styles from members of The Black Lodge global family. A1 is entitled “Atmospheres” from the ever-talented Michigan producer JTC aka Tadd Mullinix [Bopside/Nation/Ghostly]. A2, entitled “Arreskni” comes from newer Chilean artists MU-GA, a track we released in digital format last year from their debut EP. Finishing off the A-side is Italian super-duo Sons Of Traders [SOT/Frigio/Black Lodge] aka Tans X Mike Tansella Jr. with the acidic cut “Indianapolis” also released last year by BL on tape and digitally from their first full length album entitled “Crollo Nervoso”. Side B blasts off with the early Chicago house inspired track “Passion” by prolific Dresden producer Sneaker [Uncanny Valley/Rat Life/Frigio]. Closing off the comp is a dirty warehouse banger/burner by e-spirit, a new alias from LA producer Delivery [LA Club Resource/Valcrond Video.
Maelstrom links up with newcomer CT Kidobó for a deep exploration of raw, violent analogue electro on the fifth instalment of the Dalmata Daniel Split series. The opening track sets the tone for what to expect in the next twenty minutes: 16T50 is like the soundtrack of a spaceship escaping from a cosmic imperial incident, trying to dodge the unknown anti-pleasures lurking in every corner of the dark nebula. RSZALCAXN then creates a strong gravitational field of confidence with its heavyweight instrumentation, sending the message that the desertion mission was successful but staying vigilant is still inevitable. CT Kidobó picks up where the Frenchman named after the wild vortex left off: the ever-tense Dark City wraps itself around a single powerful and metallic leitmotif, holding our attention while William Gibson nods appreciatively in the background, on the autumn streets drenched in tired neon lights. Finally, the Primer, which starts airy and gradually thickens, brings the calm and release we have been longing for all along, but which may not last long in this universe constantly shaped by gargantuan forces.
The Hipodrome Of Music 