Back catalogue: Techno (All)

Review: A true exponent of the modern Dutch techno sound, Dimi Angelis has a fiercely formidable approach which is purpose-built for the sharp end of the night. His second EP for TH Tar Hollow results in some industrial strength clangers and bangers with all the 909 flaring a true techno head could wish for. 'Purify' in particular has a stern, drum-focused demeanour punctuated by metallic, loopy clangs which will send the right kind of dancer into blissful oblivion. The repetitive pummel into submission continues apace on the quick and cranky 'Drone Rider', as Angelis proves himself to be at the top of the game when it comes to hard and fast techno for the edgier kind of rave.

Review: There is plenty to love about this new EP from Dimi Angelis. It's well-made, fad-free techno from the 90s school of thought but with all the requisite modern techniques making it even more standout. 'Drifter' is just perfectly loopy, with ticking hi-hats keeping time, bongo sounds tumbling over themselves and the thudding kicks locking you in. 'Tyrant' ups the pace with frantic percussive loops and nice raw hi-hats peering another hunched-over and punchy low end while 'Limbo' is defined by its loose, whirring synth motif up top and tuning sounds that bring some dynamism to the rigid rhythm. 'Phantom' follows a similarly freaky path and will get massive reactions.

Review: Techno from Rotterdam. What more do you want to know? Anything that comes from that city is guaranteed to be of a certain quality and so it proves with this new 12" (in a hand-stamped sleeve, techno style) from Arkvs. 'Rise & Fall' is the high speed and unrelenting open to sweep you off your feet then 'Killing The Vibe' has ghoulish voices, stomping drums and eerie pads. 'A-110 X 303' brings lashing synths to amp up the intensity and 'Luvion' is a wall rattling, tunneling techno cut for midnight marching. Proper no-frills tackle, this.

Review: Topping up the Rotterdam techno label TH Tar Hallow comes Casual Treatment (Melvyn Ortega), a newcomer to the imprint based in Berlin. Essentially a mini-album, this 27th addition to TH Tar's Hallowed annals makes clever use of sentimental track titling with ultra-mechanical, nigh unfeeling sequencing and sound design, to rather ironic effect. For example, 'It Warms My Heart' opens with a totally frozen-over aortic groove, while the closer 'Remember Me' transmits equally cold sounds to distant polar receiver-markers. In all seriousness, though, this is a great release, one which opens up properly in the latter half.

Review: DJ Savage's Dubs 2000-2002 on TH Tar Hallow Records delivers four relentless techno tracks from the early 2000s. Side-1 opens with 'Fuente,' a hard-hitting techno track dominated by powerful chords, followed by 'Gridlock,' an uptempo, high-energy banger. Side-2 starts with 'Abaddon,' featuring a deeper groove yet maintaining a robust techno intensity, ideal as a techno tool. The EP closes with 'Inside Out,' a house-influenced, heavy techno track that balances rhythmic complexity with raw power. This EP is full of vigorous and dynamic techno that has a vintage production value that makes the tracks sound more analogue than digital - vital for that all-important warmth in the vinyl medium.

Review: Dynamic Forces' The Pain To Refuse on TH Tar Hallow is a stellar homage to late 90s techno. Side-1 opens with 'Refuse' (String mix), featuring a heavy beat complemented by dramatic strings reminiscent of Purpose Maker's epic sound. 'Self Surrender (MStr-1ng)' follows with classic UK techno vibes akin to Surgeon. On Side-2 there is 'Raw Voltage Rhythms,' a track focused on heavy rhythms and chord-driven warehouse techno. Closing the EP is 'Helix,' the darkest of the bunch, offering a brooding and intense atmosphere. Each track perfectly captures the essence of 90s techno flavours.

Review: Strap in for some no-nonsense old school techno with new school production vales here as Dynamic Forces combine for a devastatingly effective four tracker. There is real power in the drum and twitchy synth details of 'Directions' and bumping, twisted, raved up menace defines 'Old Bite' with its barrage of drums and synths. Somehow they manage to find yet another gear with the intense percussive loops and panel-beaten drums of 'TRSR' while 'Substance' gets more freaky with edgy synth motifs darting abut a dark and dense techno groove.

Review: Earwax's Tar 21 is a punishing but dynamic techno EP that showcases the artist's mastery of the genre and the five tracks explore a range of techno subgenres, from industrial to tech house, offering a diverse and captivating listening experience. 'Behind The Grid' sets the tone with its relentless warehouse techno, characterised by heavy industrial elements and a driving beat. 'Raw Shadow' transports the listener to a science fiction landscape with its stomping rhythm and percussive intensity. 'Fast Human' takes a more upbeat turn, galloping forward with an almost house feel. The EP reaches its peak with 'Again'. a menacing and alien-sounding heater that pulsates with an eerie and hypnotic energy. 'No Need More' closes the EP with a tribal and fast-paced beat, leaving the listener with a sense of exhilaration and fulfillment. With its exceptional production quality and diverse range of styles, Tar 21 is a workhorse of a record. The EP captivates the listener from start to finish, offering a thrilling release full of excellent techno.

Review: Louis the 4th is a master of groovy and percussive techno and if you need any more evidence of that then check out this new EP on TH Tar Hallow. 'Rootedness' is a roller with slick hi-hats ticking away over rubbery bass. 'Conception' is more edgy and kinetic with razor-sharp snares over more silky drums. 'Two Days Before Leaving' has hefty dub undercurrents and panel-beaten loops that make you march while 'Tumultuous Groove' is a more intense number with grit and steel in its robust groove framework. 'Frequencies' shuts down with a haunting and eerie synth mood.

Review: Rotterdam techno label TH Tar Hallow is all about providing peak-time techno nourishment. Next to cook up the goods is Augusto Taito who kicks off with the caustic intensity of 'Kanji' which has unsettling bleeps and big rusty drum loops. 'Paradox Of Choice' captures, in techno form, the unresolved anxiety of being lost with infinite options on your Netflix home page then 'O1.2' is a more wispy and roomy blend of dubby low ends and intricate sound designs that trigger your synapses. It's all heavy drums and unrelenting synth loops on closer 'A Sip Of Blood '.

Review: Taken, in case you didn't know, is the duo of former Skudge man Elias Landberg and Nihad Tule. This latest slab of techno follows their previous work in that it is functional but stylish. The drums are analogue, muscular, and perfect to hook on to, and the synths and hi-hats that peel off a rusty, glitchy and slight, but make enough of an impact to cut through. 'Hybrid' is a sleek opener, 'Drumcode' is more dubby and raw and 'Ice Truck' has a more mysterious sense of intergalactic exploration thanks to the sonar-like synths. 'Standard Truck' shuts down with mind-melting and warped synth lines all twisted around one another.