NORBAK レコード& CD

Review: Things are getting serious once again on Token as Norbak weighs in with some expertly sculpted dark techno with an artful twist. The Portuguese artist has continually shaped out a unique path across releases for Axis, Mord, Hayes and MindTrip, and so the story continues with the unique rhythmic disturbance of 'Teste' and the industrial strength funk of 'Sopro'. There's a unique flair in every inch of this EP which marks it out from the dominant Berghain techno sound, making this essential gear for anyone who wants their peak time set to leave an impression.

Review: Heads down, eyes closed and get marching because this is another muscular outing from the Portuguese techno label HAYES. It is a 40th, in fact, so by now the label knows how to unearth the most compelling of sounds and that's just what Norbak serves up here: these are bangers steeped in traditionalism with hulking great drums and layers of percussion and synth texture peeling off as the drums march on. Heavy, hypnotic, and with a dark funk at their core, they're perfect weapons for a wide range of strobe-lit club settings.

Review: Portugal's HAYES label clocks up a fifth EP here and once again takes us deep into a world of supple but subversive techno. It is a mix of artists who serve up the sounds with VIL's dancey 'Dothejazz' layering minimal synths and drums with potent bass rumbles. Norbak & Temudo then rock you back and forth on your heels as drunken synths evoke and adapt to the icy groove on 'Cloud Seeding.' VIL & Temudo then pair off for the more twisted 'Pampomaniac' and Quelza closes down with 'Arnold,' a whacked-out and skeletal techno rhythm that borrows from early jungle.