Review: Clut deliver a specialised clout-glut with a fresh split EP from rising artist Alric Aerial, who here teams up with yet another artist who's so far flown under the label's radar - Electrodynamique. Here the pair deliver four electro-dancefloor tracks primed for every situation: sleazy bar, backlit festival stage, ironic doomsday scenario, you name it. This EP's cascading sixteenths flow like metallic droplets, their acid lines and FM blurps splurging forth with increasing restlessness and impertinence, and decreasing self-control. Particularly squelchy is Aerial's 'Tough Cuts', which moves trigger-happy on the cutoff filter whilst dungeon-bound sine tones splay across the top edges of the track, like ectoplasms left behind after a string of Zeno's paradoxes have been solved. 'We Are The City' by Electrodynamique indulges a final emery note, abrading its curveball electro mix to a grinding, apocalyptic oblivion.
Review: Deeper shades of a finely sifted pedigree. Irish label Appian Sounds, helmed up by Al Blayney, champion only winnowed techno sounds, not threshed. A welcome international team huddle in, with these six artists from locales as far-flung as Amsterdam and Valencia contributing the likes of 'Tsuneo' and 'Persist'. The tunes verge melodic as they move through and beyond jankiness, distending die-cut acids and subtly synthetic humanisations, especially in the percussion department. 'Fuego' is the zen roshi's choice, its gaffered, glass-smithed pads topping off a naturalistic percussive surging forward, one best experienced with your eyes closed.
Review: The latest from Swedish techno legend is a full-throttle techno assault, pushing Drumcode's legacy forward with relentless energy. The title track is a peak-time juggernaut, built on heavy chords, pounding kicks and a futuristic intensity that commands the dancefloor. With its driving momentum and anthemic hooks, it's a high-octane statement from two producers at the top of their game. On Side-2, 'Living In The Moment' ventures into atmospheric territory, teetering on the edge of trance with sci-fi textures and sweeping builds. Its long, tension-heavy progression culminates in devastating drops, overloading the senses with a euphoric yet punishing crescendo. With Drumcode nearing its 30th year, this release proves there's no slowing downithe label continues to deliver high-impact techno designed for maximum effect. Beyer and Brown's collaboration is a successful dose of tension, release and unrelenting intensity.
Adam Beyer & Enrico Sangiuliano - "Preset Heaven" (8:17)
Timmo - "Muzik" (6:11)
Pig&Dan - "La Bruja" (6:37)
Julian Jeweil - "Nasa" (6:11)
Review: Some serious peak time weapons for the main room on offer here, from the ever reliable Swedish label Drumcode. Usual heroes of the label such as Luigi Madonna, Sam Paganini and Joseph Capriati step aside for some other equally reliable staples. On the A, side label boss Adam Beyer teams up with Enrico Sangiuliano on the evocative and life affirming "Preset Heaven" which takes its cues from early trance with its amazing chord progression. It is something more typical of the label next, on the pummelling warehouse stomp of "Muzik" by Bulgaria's Timmo. On the flip, there's more trance nostalgia on offer again - this time from legends Pig & Dan on the hypnotic/melodic bliss of "La Bruja" which we could imagine melting the minds of festival crowds well into the new year. Finally they save the best for last with French peak time specialist Julian Jeweil, serving up the furious, tunneling and strobe-lit ultraviolence of "Nasa" which will have your adrenaline going from the first beat. It has been a stellar year for the powerhouse label, with great releases by Moby, Dubfire and newcomer Layton Giordani.
Spectrums Data Forces - "Darkness In My Head" (6:04)
EC13 - "Profundo" (Interludio) (0:49)
Wicked Wes - "X1000" (feat Space Frogs From Saturn) (5:48)
Review: Granada's Cosmic Tribe know the definition of "electro" in its broadest sense; their new Xtrictly Electro comp keeps the dystopian sound endemic to the genre's most present incarnation, but refuses to restrict itself to one tempo: the standard 130-ish that has sadly infected the otherwise genius genre as a necessity. An international splinter cell of spec-ops and mercenaries are recalled from retirement here, as we hear Calagad 13, Nachtwald, EC13 and many more mechanoid ilk lay down all manner of slick utilities, making up a morbid multi-tool. 5zyl brings further lasery Lithuanian steeze on 'Vilnius Bass', whilst Spectrums Data Forces betrays the existence of a sinister corporate entity, whose business model works towards the object of instilling 'Darkness In My Head' through giant, killer mozzy basses.
Happy707 - "Where Does That Noise Come From" (4:28)
Review: Menacing EBM and dark synth billows from a Netherlands hinterland; our heralds speak of an esoteric encampment by the name of Espectro Oculto, said to be the remote incantators of an unstoppable curse in sound. Six shadowy emissaries have been sent to spread the pestilence; Trenton Chase, Martial Canterel, DJ Nephil, Exhausted Modern, Fragedis and Happy707. Clearly, the faction have recruited only the best, trusted and yet most nefarious of spies from as far-flung regions as Czechia and Argentina in the administering of such a sordid sonic plague. We're left most quivery at the centrifugal doom drones of Exhausted Modern's 'Fear Of Focus', across whose breakdown banshees are heard wailing and snarling, and Fragedis' 'Landing In Reality', a lo-fi techno freakout and sonochemical anomaly, channeling militant two-way radio samples and hellish FM synthesis.
Review: Fearsome techni-techno through the Swiss futurists ENMODA, whose modus operandi is to actively promote and advocate for the local Swiss scene. With chilling textures and an ear for material, sonic grit, a cloister of ten producers are heard going full Eski-mode here, for the first instalment in their yearly compilation, Alpine Express Volume 1. Aptly described as a set of "dancefloor hurters", this is a record that proves the mid-European enclave still have their ears to the ground: pree the classic trance-techno of Marcism's 'Echo' or Ermatik's 'Funk Alt Delight', The Chronics' restlessly fight-or-flight revenant, 'Sonic Memory', and/or TIS' closing jit-tech piano weapon 'I Don't Mind'.
Review: The Aniara label out of Sweden has always come at things from its own sideways perspective whether dealing in house, techno, or something in between. This new two track 12" allows different artists to take care of one side each, beginning with DJ Marathon's 'Track 1.' It is the sort of breezy, balmy cut that encourages your mind to wander amongst the stars as you get lost in the pulsing deep house beats. Ebende's 'Elevate' picks up the pace but remains a dubby delight, with warm, molten chords rippling out to infinity and cuddly kicks carrying you to a mindful place.
Review: An electrifying dose of uptempo, futuristic techno, the first side opening with the title track, 'Machine Code', a dynamic, big-room anthem that brings intense sci-fi energy with its heavy rave alarm sounds and pulsing bass. It's a high-octane ride, perfect for peak-time club moments. 'Waveshaper' follows, leaning towards electro while retaining a sinister techno edge. Its heavy, brooding rhythm and sharp, mechanical textures make it a standout in the darker corners of the EP. On Side-2, 'System Error' ramps up the energy with pounding beats and relentless drive. It's a techno killer, designed for the dancefloor with its hard-hitting impact. The final track, 'System Error (The Hacker Remix)', slows the pace slightly, offering a deeper, more reserved groove, but it still burns with intensity. The remix brings an atmosphere that adds a layer of mystery while maintaining the EP's fierce energy. 'Machine Code' EP is a powerful, relentless techno offering from start to finish.
Review: Distant Gaze champion the return of producer E-Bony to the label with 'Shapes & Frequencies', their new six-track record blurring EP and album. Delving deep into the unfiltered worlds of acid and Detroit, 'Shapes & Frequencies' expresses a pure exercise in formal techno abstraction, delivering a wide range of moods and intensities through analogue textures and heavy-hitting kicks, both synonymous with E-Bony's distinct sound. The EP hastens as it progresses, with 'Fantasy' indulges a nice n' rough 135-ish BPM, 'X-drix' commanding a sleekly scientific surround sound, and Clouzer's remix of 'Let It Be' swerving full aircraft hangar electro, giant snare verbs and gobby acid rattles aplenty.
Review: Chris Barratt aka Eagles & Butterflies possesses the rare ability to unite a larger-than-life peak time personality with the understated production method of comparatively underground records, techno pop and Italo. Bridging such gaps of authenticity and palatability can be a mean feat, but Barratt sacrifices few opportunities on his new 'Heartbreaks & XTC' EP to really think about how both poles can be met. Focussing on skeletal, hands-off mixing and yet apotheotic buildup production, Eagles & Butterflies truly do fly in unison on this stonker.
Review: The Holding Hands label is back to pressing up vinyl after a pause during the COVID years and this EP is perfect to be spun nice and loud. Earth Trax deals in big dance sounds and opens this one with 'Amnesia' (dub mix) which has a thudding kick and big bright chords. 'Stars' then brings more euphoria with lush pads and grinding basslines and 'Someday Soon' locks you into a zoned-out vibe with its rich arps and retro stabs. Last but not least is 'Dislocation Blues' which rides on dubby broken beats with swirling cosmic pads.
Review: Italian turbo talent Earwax brings his techno perspective to this new one from the Dolly TS series. 'Upstairs Downstairs' soon sweeps you up with its buoyant and bouncy techno drums and wavy cosmic synth lines. 'Protection' then gets more dark and heads down with a menacing low-end throb and increasingly edgy percussive through-line. There is comic tension and turbulence to 'Key Of Life' with its unsettling and eerie synths and banging drums, and last of all is 'At The Door', which races on with hints of original 90s techno rawness. Very useful, high-functioning techno.
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: A renowned producer from the late 90s and early noughties, Lucas E.B.E. hears a delightful reissue of his very own 'Neural Response' EP, which, fittingly, originally came out on the new millennial cusp. With a cutting, multi-varied sound - as if gazing into the bleeding edge of a new age - we're still met with the vicarious, breathtaking feeling of E.B.E.'s future techniques first evoked 23 years ago, be that via the mediums of minimal tech, downtempo or electro. An impressively stark contrast abounds across these four, whether that's in the opening lazings of 'Serenity', the slumped-over sophomore snaps of 'Sedated', or the energetic return to form that is 'Hubble'.
Review: Echoplex makes a triumphant return with his latest EP, Light Strike, on Soleil Records, which as fans of the underground will know delivers real and proper techno for the heads. After overcoming some adversity, he presents a revitalised sound that blends classic techno with fresh energy and his usual meticulous sound design. The EP features a floor-facing mix of haunting pads, pulsating rhythms, and bold experimentation that starts deep on 'Shift You' and end much more intense with 'The Gates'. In between is the silky dub of 'Embrace' and the high-speed funk of 'Light Strike'.
Review: A masterful exploration of techno that showcases a range of styles across its four tracks. Side-1 opens with 'Phylyps Frequencies', an epic techno monster that pays homage to Basic Channel with its deep, resonant beats and atmospheric textures. Following this, 'Eternal Source' delivers heavy chord progressions reminiscent of Steve Rachmad, creating an expansive and emotionally charged soundscape. On Side-2, 'Forgotten City' brings a melodic Detroit techno influence, combining nostalgic elements with a driving rhythm that captivates from start to finish. The EP concludes with 'Frost Will Never Come', a brisk and clean tech house track that feels light and flighty, evoking a sense of soaring through the air. This energetic finale rounds out a release that perfectly balances depth and dynamism, making 'The Forgotten City' EP a standout in Ecilo's discography.
Andrea Bertoli & DJ Bogdan - "Extremely On Line" (5:36)
Review: Exxtra Beats Records backs up its commitment to pushing things on with a new four-tracker of minimal and tech cuts. Edo Ecker's 'Extraluxxo' has warped synth lines that encourage introspection while the snappy beats make you move physically. Leff's 'Future Problems' has hazy and positive arpeggios that toot away over sustained chords and move at a nice inviting pace. Little Sea offers the snappy drums and gurgling acid lines of 'How I Wanna Feel' while Andrea Bertoli & DJ Bogdan's 'Extremely On Line' is a snappy and upbeat cosmic tech cut with wonky lines adding the charm.
Review: The cornerstone of a certain (unforgettable) trance moment in time, Eden Transmission's 'I'm So High' was *the* tune to peg the LA and San Fran rave scenes indelibly to the PI's corkboard of dance music. Eden Transmission were only one alias of an ever-evolving, planarian duo - Michael Kandel, Tom Chasteen - whose works as Voodoo Transmission, High Lonesome Sound System and Up Above The World could equally have been deemed just as significant projects. But we prefer 'I'm So High'. One of the best to do it with breakbeats, the 'Ubud' mix of the title track hears what sounds like a bazaar gathering of psychic townsfolk, set against urgent whispers, which hydrolyse against a reso-peaked lead. And by far the best tune is 'Powertrance', which startles us with its wireless charge of mega-heavy breaks and robotic C-shell sendups, whisking us into psycho-cyberspace.
Review: Astonishingly, 18 years has now passed since Gilles Aiken - probably more celebrated these days for his work under the alternate Desert Sky alias - first offered up off-kilter tech-house tracks as Edward. Last year, he impressed with a wonderfully deep and unctuous EP on deep house imprint Smallville; here, he makes his bow on another must-check label, Kalahari Oyster Cult. In keeping with the imprint's love of all things trippy and otherworldly, opener 'Tentacle' sees him wrap chiming lead lines, psychedelic synth motifs, weird noises and layers of percussion to a chunky, locked-in house groove. Aiken then goes off piste via a skewed, druggy and at times dreamy tech-house remix of Trybet's 'Moodsetter'. Arguably best of all though is impossible-to-pigeonhole flip-side 'Dr Octo', which is immersive, unsettling, tactile and eccentric in equal measure.
Review: 'Diamond Bullet' is a chill out masterpiece that epitomises Effective Force's pioneering style. With its laid back groove and hypnotic rhythms, the track immerses listeners into a sonic journey through the German trance scene of the early 1990s. The driving force behind the music is undeniable, as Johnny Klimek and Paul Browse skillfully blend elements of trance, techno, and ambient music to create an electrifying experience. The track's four original remixes offer unique interpretations, each adding layers of depth and complexity to the already captivating composition. From the infectious energy of the beats to the ethereal melodies that weave throughout, 'Diamond Bullet' is a great example of the psychedelic underground trance scene of the era.
Review: EBY is an acid house artist who has more than made his mark over the years. 40 years, to be exact, and to mark that rather notable occasion he is back with a special release on Foxbam Inc called ACID Thing and it comes in various different formats. This is a grey vinyl version that celebrates the classic acid sound while infusing it with a modern twist and plenty of big basslines, squelchy synths, and potent rhythms. The standout 'Acidanus' includes MC Soph who made her debut on Acid Indigestion Pt4 at just eight years old and now returns at 25. The EP also features a remix of 'Eggtrip' by renowned Belgian producer Outlander who you will likely remember from his iconic cut 'Vamp.'
Review: To make it to 40 years in any job is a fine achievement, but to do it in the fast-paced world of electronic music is even more rare. But that is exactly what EBY has done - he has been turning out acid house jams for four full decades now and to celebrate the milestone has put together a special release on Foxbam Inc called "it's an ACID thing" and it comes in various different formats. This one is a black and grey splattered 12" limited to just 100 copies. It features the ragga vocals and crushing beats of 'Bun Da Acid', the brilliantly gurgling 303 lines and ice-cold drums of 'Acidanus" (feat Soap MC) and the darker and more moody vibes of 'Eggtrip'. An Outlander Eggs & Shells remix shuts down in style.
Review: FOXBAM INC is back to build on the momentum of their first EP with a second one that packs a mighty punch. This one kicks off with EBY, who this year has been cooking up acid for 40 years and here offers the warped low ends and garage-techno power of 'Goldtooth'. Foxtrot vs Ma Bla then mashes up old school samples with earth-shattering bass on 'Deep Down Inside' and bRz vs Stije is a double-time hard techno stomper with warped synths and twisted bass that is inspired by and named after ISCO, a concept from Einstein's general theory of relativity that makes predictions about the dynamics of black holes.
Review: Swedish label Borft has been digging in its archives again to assemble another volume of what it sees as its most classic cuts. And we don't disagree with these, which are taken from releases that originally landed between 1998 and 1999. Egglady's- 'Prinsessan Och Agget 1' is well-swung and deftly dubbed out with lovely analogue drum sounds cutting through. Nikolas Rowland's 'Headspin' is another smooth one with molten chords and a firm low-end drive. 'Puffy Nipples' from Kord is a wonky number with an unhinged charm and stomping groove that will stand out in any set while Crinan closes with the classy and raw house, dub and tech fusion that is 'Suit 61'.
Review: Eidolon is an alias for Ian Lehman from the US Midwest, who dropped the alias opposite the likes of Agaric around the late 00s. The sound on this release for Ukrainian label Tancido speaks to that era of dark and crafty minimal, but there's an analogue warmth to the synth sounds which suggests this might be newer material made in that vein rather than archival material. The rubbery leads on 'I'll Be A Ghost' are a surefire highlight, and there's plenty of intrigue in the arrangement to add some variation to your marathon DJ set when time starts folding in on itself and the most psychoactive tracks are the fuel to keep the party trucking.
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