Back catalogue: Industrial/Noise

Review: The latest missive in the L.I.E.S. ongoing series of collaborative EPs brings together Cititrax regular An-I (AKA sometime leftfield disco maverick Doug Lee) and Berlin-based experimental electronics maverick Unhuman. The pair begins in forthright fashion, moving from the racing drum machine heartbeats, rhythmic noise and mangled yelps of "Five To Nine", to the doomy bass, triple-time beats and clanking metallic hits of post-punk number "Hate Thy Neighbour". Over on side B they mutilate electro beyond almost all recognition on the alien insanity of "Entschuldigung" before lolloping towards a conclusion with the fuzzy industrial funk thrust of "Cannibals".

Review: Zodiak Commune reaches right back into the early days of the Dutch acid techno and electro scene, and it remains an essential outlet for tough and gnarly rave gear for darkened souls. This new record is a split between Umwelt and Serge Geyzel, continuing a series of split discs pitting serious underground operators against each other. Umwelt's side kicks off with the blistering acid electro of 'The Wake Of The Anthropocene' and follows up with heavy but melodic pearler 'Cosmic Dancer'. Geyzel's 'Off The Ground' is a nervy slice of acid with sad-hearted undertones, and 'Hostage' completes the set with a moody, percussive throwdown.

Review: Chicago mainstay and Disctechno label head Mark Grusane reunites with Detroit's Eric Schwab for the second instalment of the Midwest Rhythms series. It's a real quality EP that takes you to the heart of the Motor City with 'Easy Strider' blending low-slung, skittering drum patterns with a classic FM bass line and hints of 303. 'Acid Hole' offers an acidic pulse that builds tension over a jacking 707 beat that is brought to life with spacey effects and on the B-side, 'You're In Danger' merges dissonant pads, plucky synths, rich bass and warped verbal warnings. The record closes with Eric's reimagined version of 'A House of My Own' which brings fresh textures to a modern Chicago house classic.

Review: Uboa's Impossible Light marks a significant shift from the ambitious darkness of previous work. Xandra Metcalfe's latest release merges otherworldly sounds with raw human emotion, creating a captivating blend of intense darkness and poignant beauty. Throughout Impossible Light, Uboa explores a heightened sense of urgency and directness, particularly in addressing themes of trans experiences and societal marginalisation. Tracks like 'Endocrine Disruptor' contrast serene melodies with explosive beats, while 'The Puzzle' immerses listeners in heavy synths and impactful percussion. 'Gordian Worm' transitions from harsh noise to a more structured electro-industrial sound and 'Pattern Screamers' delivers a powerful vocal performance amid distorted, mechanical noise. The seamless flow between 'Jawline' and 'Weaponised Dysphoria', alongside the emotional depth of 'Sleep Hygiene', underscores Uboa's skillful talent at balancing it all.

Review: Even if they do release obscure drone from time to time Northern Electronics continues to up hold its reputation as record label worthy of the tag: 'buy on sight'. That can definitely be said about Varg and Abdullah Rashim's second full length as Ulwhednar and across its seven tracks not only are there traces of Mike Parker, Svreca and at a stretch early Regis, but the duo's own distinct style. For some dirty Rashim loops look to "De 92 Vita Stenarna" while for some Nordic drone splashed with Varg's trademark space echoes check out "Kattarens Dom", and if you want to experience what the crash landing of Star Trek's USS Enterprise sounds like there's "Askan Fran Balet".

Review: Midnight Shift continues its fine run of form via a mini-album of bleak intensity from renowned modular electro/analogue rave fusionist Umwelt, an artist whose distinctive releases are always worth a listen. The French producer sets his stall out via title track "Superior Life Forms", an undeniably heavy and distinctively dystopian chunk of broken electro fuzziness, before reaching for even grimier electronics and gut-punching bass on "Computer Controlled". "Latent Existence" is a moody, beat-free soundtrack for urban decay, "Fragment" and closer "The Windfall" are teak-tough industrial techno stompers, while "Shadow Entity" is a suitably psychedelic slab of trippy acid electro. Not for those of a fragile disposition, but impressively intense and forthright nonetheless.