Back catalogue: Techno (All)

Review: Coeur De Glace on DKO Records (DKO 34) delivers four fantastic electro tracks, each with unique influences and directions. Side-1 kicks off with Binary Digit's 'U Want Dis,' an exuberant, high-energy track that pays homage to old-school rave with its lively vocal samples. Fasme's 'Morning' follows, blending smooth electro with soft keys and a whimsical AFX melody for a perfect combination. Side-2 features GGGG's 'La Cueillette,' a feel-good, fun and melodic electro tune. The EP concludes with Mud Deep & Sans-Qui's 'Mesonyx,' offering IDM goodness reminiscent of Rephlex, Squarepusher, and AFX. Coeur De Glaceis a vibrant and diverse collection, sure to delight fans of electro and techno.

Review: This new collection offers up a quartet of tracks that are all tailored for slightly different moments on the dance floor. On side A, Dani Casarano kicks off with deep, hypnotic grooves that make for an immersive atmosphere before transitioning to punchy, bass-driven energy with other cuts. Side B introduces a new alter ego from Felian and Bruno Schmidt and the pair explore a robotic, looping groove with incidental breaks and nostalgic synths in the euphoric third track. Closing the release in style, Omar Akrhif & Lucretio present a minimalist masterpiece that is aimed at heady after-hours sessions.

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: After the first in this new Mellow Bangers series got us nice and twisted we're delighted to have the follow-up from Italo Moderni. Cryk kicks off with an eerie blend of Italo arps and dark wave drums with electro overtones on 'Double Crash' then the moodiness continues with the depraved bass warbles and crashing hits of Fragedis and his 'Disco Nicotina.' Antoni Maiovvi brings a lightness of touch to his delicate arps and celestial harmonies on 'Stopping Power' and Adrian Marth layers plenty of sugar and pixelated synths into his loopy 'Modernism.'

Review: Analog Concept Vol. 3 delivers a striking collection of forward-thinking deep techno, blending electro, acid, and sci-fi elements to push boundaries across its four tracks. Fasme opens with 'Crying Robot', a standout acid electro monster that's both raw and energetic, setting the tone with its sharp, robotic intensity. CCO's 'Solar Sail' follows, bringing a darker, sci-fi edge to the mix. Its blend of EBM and new beat creates a timeless, futuristic trip that feels immersive and cinematic. Side-2 kicks off with Unwonted's 'Frontier', a high-energy electro track laced with trance elements, adding a hypnotic, rave-ready vibe. Serge Geyzel closes the compilation with 'Flash', a heavy-hitting deep electro cut that dives into darker, alien soundscapes. Its deep techno undercurrents enhance the track's sense of foreboding and mystery. Overall, Analog Concept Vol. 3 captures a thrilling array of deep, futuristic sounds. Take a journey through techno's more experimental and atmospheric realms with this Russian label. Each track stands strong on its own while contributing to the cohesive, forward-thinking vision of the compilation.

Review: Italian artist Mirko Felicioli steps up to the Sentaku label under the moniker Tsukuyomi, named after the Japanese moon god. What he cooks up are sounds steeped in mystery and introspection while traversing deep techno and electro textures with raw underground spirit. The title track sets the tone with crisp and snappy drums and hits and murky pads, while 'Analong Time' offers a minimalist groove layered with electro-tinged loops. On the B-side, 'Air Felix' shines with futuristic flair and fluid synth play, while 'Fantasy' closes with dreamy yet propulsive force that rounds out a moody, refined journey for body and mind.

Review: This is a new EP that was inspired by a volcano and named after Mount Etna which is where Mirko Felicioli lives, and which is why it has been pressed up to red vinyl. It features five fresh techno cuts starting with 'Lava Waves' which is lively and elastic, with soft synth patterns moving about the mix over acid lines and crisp drums. 'Grave & Weep' has a deeper, dirtier vibe, while 'Aeolus' has a cosmic outlook with thinking stars and lots of open space around the drums. Two further cuts blend tech and house into future-facing and club-ready weapons.

Review: Fidelio and Luca Piermattei hook up here to explore worlds where acid, techno and electro all happily coexist. Fidelio's A-side offers three cuts that fuse 90s acid rawness with baroque drama that results in a unique mix of classical organ melodies and razor-sharp basslines. Punchy kicks and sizzling hi-hats drive the energy as you're happily lost on a neon-lit techno odyssey. On the flip, Piermattei's 'Gas' features a fluid bassline and glitching robotic vocals that are eerie yet inviting and 'Third Rec' (with Tascam 122) rounds out the release with pulse-driven electro and intricate percussion, perfect for late-night explorations.

Review: Italian nightclub and label Sound Department issues a new ministerial decree come EBM-infused techno EP by one Fisherman. Angling big hauls of raw and raunchy, yet still ethereal dance builds, the DJ and producer flexes both vocal and production chops here. 'Walking' is a duly strange track, with wordless vocals gliding across cutting FM syntheses, whilst 'Lagoon' sounds to reflux a so far unidentifiable form of alien sonic bile. 'Go To Sleep' brings back the energy with a wackier, one-shot-voxxing turn, while closer 'Bang' hears the EP save its full-bodied heaviness for last, being the track with the least sensitivity and most bulk, as a commandeering voice booms over the tannoy.

Review: EC Underground is back with more inquisitors of low-end heavy sounds on Bass Scene Investigation vol 1 and again digs deep into the worlds of electro, techno, breakbeat and IDM. The compilation kicks off with the skittish percussive patterns of Illektrolab's 'Making Heads Dip', then heads into moody ground with ADJ, Pablo Funk brings some menacing synth work and Errorbeauty gets all weird and trippy with some mad electronics. Francois Dillinger offers a dystopian electro sound full of irresistibly jacked-up drums. A fine investigation indeed.

Review: Belgian label Music Man Records has assembled Boccaccio Life 1987-1993, a 40-track compilation honouring the legendary Destelbergen club that helped shape Europe's electronic underground. Far more than just the birthplace of New Beat, Boccaccio championed raw, futuristic house and techno long before the genres went mainstream. Curated by resident DJ Olivier Pieters and regular Stefaan Vandenberghe, the collection features classy cuts that are also being served up on a series of VA EPs. This one hits hard with jams from QX-1, Fred Brown, Mr. Fingers and Laurent X all going dark, deep and moody.

Review: Italian artist Fedele offers up here his first solo effort since leaving Agents of Time. This 12-track album on his own label showcases his exploration of fresh electronic music landscapes after making a great impact over the last three years with releases on Ellum Audio, Turbo Recordings, and Obscura. His acclaimed remix of Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy The Silence' received global praise and now Depth Of Being blends his signature style with experimental sounds and more vocals. It features tracks like the downtempo 'Departure' and the vibrant 'Your Eyes' as well as plenty of immersive, progressive, emotive club-ready cuts.