Back catalogue: Techno (All)

Review: Binar's fifth outing looks to a selection of talented remixers to add their own spin to some stylish techno originals. First, it is Decka's 'Alignment' that gets reworked by Efdemin, who we haven't heard from for a while but are glad to do so now. He flips it into a straight-up and smooth techno pumper with fuzzy pads softening the edges. Next, Amotik brings some urgent synth pulses and hunched-up drum funk to 'Remains Mystery' and The Lady Machine remix of 'Run' is all fat, drunken synths tumbling about with jacked-up drums and analogue hits. Jeroen Search brings some signature future cosmic energy to his take on Border One's 'Organoid.'

Review: The legendary 'Solaris' is a standout tune from Kareem's 1997 release CICLOP on Berlin-based label Zhark. Originally, CICLOP combined diverse styles including industrial hip-hop, cinematic ambience and dub techno and created a unique, gritty soundscape as a result. Solaris stood out for its raw, brutally minimalist approach and now these new remixes from cult favs Orphx, Rrose, SHXCXCHCXSH and Kareem breathe new life into them with lots of lo-fi synth designs, muggy atmospheres, dense, foggy drones and plenty of rolling and dubbed out rhythms.

Review: Shalom Aber's Be As One label has done a one job of evolving from its earliest sounds in the tech house realm into a place for more refined and sophisticated techno. Kashpitzky's new offering very much fits in with that MO and opens with 'Elevate' which is a trip minimal cut with rising synths that make it feel as if you are forever speeding up. 'Silver Ball' is like a hall of mirrors with synth reflections everywhere and the Phase remix lays it down with a more rooted low end. 'For The Vision' is an unpredicted but brilliant jungle closer.

Review: Scott Kemix's 303 Alliance delivers a thrilling sonic experience with its four heavy acid trance and techno tracks. 'Dancefloor Killa' kicks off with fast-paced, frenetic techno beats infused with a heavy acid trance sound, creating a sci-fi atmosphere that pulls listeners in. 'Big Fast & Dangerous' follows suit with its big acid trance sound, keeping the energy high and the intensity palpable. On the flip side, 'Fighting For Our Freedom' verges into psy trance territory with its energetic vibe, while 'The Guy In The Sky' adds a techno edge to the epic trance buildup, making it a standout peak track. Overall, 303 Alliance is a relentless ride through the realms of trance and techno, showcasing Scott Kemix's ability to conduct heavy, driving acid techno music for the headstrong.

Review: Inigo Kennedy returns to Token for its 126th release with The Calling, a three-track EP that exemplifies his unique production style, blending hypnotic and stomping club elements. Inigo has been making techno for a better part of 25 plus years now with over 50 plus releases to his name. Side-1 features 'Magnitude Seven,' a track marked by melodic dissonance and a stripped-down acid line supporting a saturated groove and noisy synths. Waves of unsettling intensity, driven by a powerful double kick sequence, make this an epic opener. The title track, 'The Calling,' on Side-2, elevates the intensity with a frantic four-to-the-floor rhythm and sustained notes that create a sense of pressure. Harmonic sections breathe life into this nail-biting record, showcasing Kennedy's ability to distance himself from the typical loop-based templates prevalent in techno. This track underscores the ongoing relevance of his long-standing career in club music. The EP concludes with 'Out of the Woods,' a fitting electronica closer that shifts focus to introspection. Drifting notes and shuffled percussion lines evoke Kennedy's UK roots, providing an ethereal epilogue to the preceding techno tracks. The Calling is another masterclass from Inigo Kennedy, highlighting his innovative production techniques and soulful approach to electronic music.

Review: Kerrie's latest proprietorship is the Dark Machine Funk label, to which the Irish DJ and producer brings the weirder ends of techno. Proudly presenting the new K-llab series, Kerrie is here heard partnering with some of her favourite ever artists, offering a fresh take on the sounds and creative processes of each collaboration. Here the collab of choice is Italian duo Dynamic Forces, known for their heavy, old-school-leaning, industrial-influenced techno. The latter artist's 'Moralism' leads the charge with an unsettlingly slippery wonky techno tune agog with stinger plucks resembling horror movie pizzicati, while Kerrie's own 'Good Intentions' betrays perhaps less felicitous outcomes, utilising consequent, spirally leads and all-encompassing synth buzzes of the sinister variety.

Review: Johnny Kick's Come On EP on Rawax Germany is a vibrant homage to the early 90s rave sound. On Side-1, things kick off with 'Burnin,' a track that blends classic house and techno with strong melodic stabs, reminiscent of MK or Nu Groove. 'Come On' follows with a fun and clever UK breakbeat style that echoes the energy of 808 State. On Side-2, 'Alright,' is a perfect recreation of the early 90s techno rave sound with classic samples. Closing the EP is 'Everybody,' a breakbeat dancefloor destroyer with keys that pay huge respect to Outlander's 'Vamp.' Each track captures the nostalgic essence of the rave era while delivering a modern punch. Massive!

Review: Returning with their second EP on their self-named label, the Kilotoni series is said to be the work of renowned techno artists, plucked from the archives, but whatever, it's a a fierce resurgence of headstrong acid techno that feels both classic and vital. Side-A opens with 'Track , a minimal yet powerful stormer driven by a thick, rolling acid bassline that commands the floor. 'Track 2' follows up with a heavier, more stomping affair i a dangerous, sci-fi-inflected ride where the acid line buzzes with an incessant, hypnotic edge, pushing the energy to the brink. Turn to Side-B and 'Track 3' hits with alien sound design and raw 90s acid techno energy. It's a slice of nostalgia, yet the strong modern production keeps it razor sharp and club-ready. Closing things out, 'Track 4' shifts gears into a groovy, fun techno jam that retains the otherworldly atmosphere but brings a lighter, more playful bounce to the mix. A heavyweight EP that perfectly captures acid techno's gritty essence while pushing it into new, futuristic spaces.

Review: RIOT Radio is a fiercely independent techno label based in Scotland that roll out another in its 'limited as fuck' series of releases. This one is also Matthias Koch's first-ever vinyl release and offers some eye-wateringly jacked-up and frosty beats that are all primed and ready to blow up any dance floor. Take 'Vice' - a heavy, marching cut with wiry electronics and fuzzy sonics. 'An Angel Told Me To Do It' is alive with ghoulish voices and screw synths and 'She Bites' then slams out more swampy techno madness. Low Entropy's 'Stripped' remix closes out in brutal and brilliant fashion.

Review: Kr!z from Ghent, Belgium wastes no time getting to the pointihis latest batch of heavyweight club tools is built for impact and every track hits with precision. Opener 'Defeat The Purpose' kicks things off with a writhing, acidic synth line that coils around thundering drum machine work, setting a relentless tone. It's stripped-back but deadly, fine-tuned for peak-time hypnosis. 'Chrome Dust' takes a funkier turn, its rolling groove and tightly wound percussion making it a surefire body-mover. Playful yet commanding, it balances raw intensity with just enough fluidity to keep dancers locked in. The title track, 'Ipso Facto,' is all about movement, its low-end bounce and sharp drum transitions reflecting Kr!z's DJ instinctsieverything lands exactly where it needs to. Closer 'Equilibrium' ups the energy one last time, filters opening wide over a punchy, rolling rhythm. It's no-nonsense, high-grade techno from a producer who knows exactly how to work a system.

Review: Krismix's The Pills Of The 90's offers an authentic dive into the world of 90s acid techno. The EP kicks off with the Dynamo City remix of 'The Pills Of The 90's,' a high-octane, sci-fi inspired track that delivers relentless, energetic acid techno. This remix exemplifies the genre's no-holds-barred approach, driving the track with fierce intensity. Following is 'Blast,' a track that embodies the essence of banging, acid-infused techno. Its stomping beat and unyielding energy make it a standout for any techno aficionado. On Side-2, the original 'The Pills Of The 90's' continues the high-energy, acid-driven theme with its powerful, engaging sound. The Acerbic remix then introduces a classic 90s acid techno vibe, featuring a clearer drum kick and a more pronounced acid line, providing a nostalgic yet fresh take on the genre. This EP is a great example at the innovation of 90s acid techno and what it can be today.

Review: Continuing the 'Limited As F***' series, fiercely independent Scottish techno label RIOT Radio unleashes a relentless release from Ohio based Kukri. Packed with more explosive energy than a dozen grenades detonated at once, this release features three original jams starting with the intense, unrelenting, frosty techno of 'Deadly Swam', panel-beaten loops of 'Dual Wield' and wonky, unwilling bleep madness of 'Stasis'. This 12" also marks Lee Holman's RIOT Radio Records debut. His remix delivers an aggressively merciless Detroit-inspired twist to close out with a bang.

Review: Planet Rhythm's brand of techno is utterly timeless and always futuristic. The latest trip around the stars is a various artists EP that varies in mood and tempo. Shekon's 'Hypno' (Phara remix) kicks off with big, boisterous drum loops full of bounce and swirled with coarse synths. Gotshell takes a more deep approach with gurgling basslines making for a subterranean sound on 'Sindrome De Volar.' KaioBarssalos's 'Detroit' then taps into a classic 313 techno style with shimmering pads and earth-shattering drums. Netty Hugo's 'Ecxtrem' is a pulsating cosmic closer.