2019 marks the return of Austrian electro duo Microthol with the project’s first EP in 8 years. ‘Transmissions’ is the culmination of years of sonic research. From techno-esque opener ‘Hostile Invasion’ to ‘Transmission 0604’s soundtrack of a burning space ship spiralling out of control – ‘Transmissions’ is much the sonic equivalent of a wormhole linking the aural orbits of Ultradyne and Autechre.
Massive 22 track compilation spanning three vinyl lps and one 45 showcasing a wide scope of subterranean American electronics. This is just a small look into the the massive contemporary underbelly of odd-ball sonic bottom dwellers making noise across the 50 states. These tranmissions come from remote government outposts, booming overcrowded metropolis’, outskirts of America’s South and even the long forgotten muck and sleaze of Northeastern suburbia. This America in its glory, a nasty place rife with tension and division, ready to boil over into complete chaos at any given moment and these are artists that walk amongst it. Absorbing it all and spitting it out, moments of clarity and tranqilty go head to head with dramatic clashes, attempting to make sense of it all or simply to isolate oneself and escape this morbid world. A definitive sonic document of modern life in a nation on the decline.
‘Pale Desert’ is the first release of the Australian born, Berlin based producer Ryen March. The name resonates not only the dry outback of his hometown, but it also mirrors the soundscape of the tracks – being completely raw and sweaty at the same time. The five track strong EP has it’s core in the techno swamp but with the aesthetics of punk and EBM.
The various EP opens with V9843 from Heath Brunner aka Silicon, previously released on the “There Was a Day” white label on V-max records and is a driving melodic techno classic. Next up there’s Manic (Maana Mix) by Erotek, doing what he does best with a ghetto electro beat. On the flipside there’s “Paradox”, an old archival track by Orland Voorn reminiscent of his earlier techno works from the 90s. Eoism close the EP with “Floaters”, a mellow electro track in the vein of the artists previous output on our label.
Making a surprise addition to Len Faki’s respected Figure imprint is the enigmatic Icelandic techno legend Exos with the Alien Eyes EP. He’s built up a reputation over the years for his skillful and diverse executions of techno, and is quite the expert at cavernous dub techno (much like his father Octal) on the sinister locomotive groove of “Pulp”, followed by the hypnotic tunnel vision of the title track and the mentalist depth charged weapon “Changing Planets” which is perfect for trancing out under the strobe light.
It has been few years since MD2.6, but after a long hiatus techno DJ and producer Mike Dehnert continues his exploration on MD2 with a new EP filled with straight and destructive techno tracks.
The first record on Unterwegs sees the forces of two Bristolian producers: Decka and OtherForm, combined on a split EP. Decka’s tracks are formed with pulsating, mind bending synth trips making you lose yourself into staggering locked grooves; both are killer dance floor weapons in their own right. OtherForm brings exquisitely produced, earth-shuddering artifacts to the B side. Concentrated in dark and heavy low end, both tracks show off Other Form’s eloquent sound design and ability to sustain tension.
Delroy Edwards follows up his smashing ”Aftershock” LP from 2018 with a new six track EP of pure old school 80s style Chicago House. While many may have moved on, Delroy Edwards steers the course, carrying the torch like not many cannot do, as he executes stripped down 808 beat tracks with a Gherkin bounce to perfection. Sounding like cuts from a lost WBMX tape, this timeless six tracker is sure to get the all house fiends mouths watering. Think of the primitive styles of Virgo meets Harvey Harris meets Saunders and you’re on the right path.
Propaganda Moscow presents a split EP between Sync 24 and Jensen Interceptor. Last track on B-side features also Assembler Code.
The usual suspects Assembler Code and Jensen Interceptor join the LKR Records artist roster. Flexing three tracks of stripped back raw electro, sprinkles of acid and bleeps blend sit perfectly over hard hitting rhythms. Also featured is an unexpected remix from bass bleep Roza Terenzi, lightening the mood with her unique sound but retaining some of the toughness of the original track.
Neugeborene Nachtmusik returns to Enfant Terible with his second full-length album. You get served six long tracks of post-industrial mixed with post-techno. All trance indulging, all hypnotic and all based on dark beats.
Danny Passarella with his death squad of shoegaze warehouse ghost and D’Marc Cantu provide pure machine music straying from the eternal revival of everything vintage. ‘The Future has A Silver Lining’ title comes from the advertising for a high-end utopia promised in RoboCop’s ‘Delta City’. The track titles inspired by ASCII codes, represent the key elements that lay ahead in the film, or in today’s society.
Mark du Mosch, the veteran from the harbor city of Rotterdam, with a five track EP on Something Happening Somewhere. Mark Du Mosch has been releasing music for over fourteen years on a variety of respected underground labels, showcasing his versatile style that draws on sounds that evoke strong mental imagery and a sense of eternity.
Umwelt is the latest to join the Voitax catalogue with his EP ‘Ecopoiesis’. The French producer had a strong 2018 and follows suit this year offering up five slices of electro-imbued fire-power.
The first vinyl release from Night Gaunt Recordings, ‘Stung’ is a presentation of 5 hard hitting EBM-infused techno tracks that are constantly churning and refuse to sit still. Exploring the function of time in relation to trauma, these recordings take from Lower Tar’s own experience of near death bodily trauma and translates it into dance music.
Willie Burns and Ron Morelli got together over a weekend or so in Paris a at the end of 2015 and busted this one out. The record includes a sonic journey, mosh pit techno, and drum circle mixing tools. This is the debut release on Burnett’s new label,”Verge of Tears”. The label will focus on his personal and collaborative output.
The Hipodrome Of Music 