OBSCURE SHAPE レコード& CD

Review: As the title suggests, this 12" provides a second selection of cuts from Dynamic Reflection's recent five-piece box set, "Continuum". First into bat is Blawan, whose moody, foreboding and intense "The Narrowing" is a deliciously crackly, mind-altering slab of Halloween-friendly horror-techno. SHDW and Obscure Shape successfully join forces for the retro-futurist brilliance of track 2 "Zuruck Ins Licht" - think "Brown Album" era Orbital fused with mid-'90s James Ruskin fare - while Jeroen Search serves up some serious dancefloor hypnotism in the shape of EP highlight "Fundamental Force". To round up a fine EP of slamming peak-time techno, Stefan Vincent does his best Surgeon impression on "You Taught Me How To Hate".

Review: As the title suggests, this "Fundraiser Compilation" from Essen party series The Third Room aims to raise money to keep its founders, resident DJs and regular venue in business during the clubbing crisis caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A stellar cast of artists has been assembled to help out, with highlights coming from Dax J, whose "Dezine" is a surging and throbbing slab of EBM/techno fusion, Ellen Allien, whose alien-sounding "C19 Bitch" is a twisted and mind-altering delight, and robust acid-techno adventurers Obscure Shape & SHDW (the hard-as-nails, TB-303-fired insanity of "Die Veruteillen").

Review: Is there a more reliable and always on form pair in techno than SHDW & Obscure Shape? The German duo's latest outing is another classy techno offering aimed squarely at the dance floor, each with its own subtly anthemic vibes and perfect for a wide range of settings, moods and moments. 'Eraser' is in your face and full of angst and edginess with clipped vocal shouts and incendiary hi-hats. 'Dancer In The Dark' is full of more blistering synth leads, smeared dub chords and closely stacked kick drums and 'Disturbing Behaviour' has a more lithe and acrobatic feel with lashings of acid. Two more B-side tunes take things to boiling point.

Review: Few partnerships in techno are as fruitful as SHDW and Obscure Shape. They are of course commanders-in-chief of this From Another Mind label which is now almost a decade into its journey. And it is still going strong with more all consuming techno power offered up here: 'Planet Der Sturme' is muscular, bulky techno that's built around heavy bottom ends before things get unhinged with the wonky loops of 'Der Urknall'. On the flip, some brighter trance influences colour the synths of both tunes to make for something more heads up and emotive. It's a refreshingly different sound to go with the high functioning A-side.

Review: From Another Mind continues to establish itself as an essential label with a fantastic fifth release entitled 'Die Augen Des Teufels' from label bosses SHDW & Obscure Shape. Marco Blasi and Luigi Urban are main room techno talents who make no bones about the size of their sound. Classic techno, rave, EBM and acid all colour their grooves. In 2016 Groove Magazine chose
them as "Newcomer of the Year", while they have also released their 'Himmel Und Erde EP' on the mighty Rekids, as well as remixing the boss's anthemic 'Grindhouse' in recent months. Two years later, the duo now follow up 'Die WeiBe Rose' - their last original release on From Another Mind - with four tracks that reflect the pair's trademark versatility as producers and the sound they play as DJs.

Review: From Another Mind, founded in 2014, presents its fourth and most capacious release to date. Having started off initially as a South-German Party series, this release sees commanders-in-chief SHDW & Obscure Shape invite back previous guests from the clubnight, just this time using their talents as remixers to breathe new life into the first three much praised From Another Mind records. The likes of Rodhad, Tale Of Us & Mind Against, Dax J, Konstantin Sibold and Shlomo all feature with contributions staying true to the Label's sound forged initially by its founders, and whether going down an epic or a more banging path, all versions pay respect to that special hypnotism which has found so many supporters. Veteran Producer James Ruskin masterfully condenses "Nachtblende" down to a loop while Ryan James Ford brings a touch of IDM-ish Bleep Techno to "Augen Der Nacht". Ed Davenport explores his Inland project further, contributing a stepping techno journey which is only matched by Rodhad's version in its sheer vastness. The release is split in two version EPs, namely FAM004.1 & FAM004.2. Both artworks function by themselves however its full glory shines when held next to each other as the paintings complement each other.

Review: From Another Mind, founded in 2014, presents its fourth and most capacious release to date. Having started off initially as a South-German Party series, this release sees commanders-in-chief SHDW & Obscure Shape invite back previous guests from the clubnight, just this time using their talents as remixers to breathe new life into the first three much praised From Another Mind records. The likes of Rodhad, Tale Of Us & Mind Against, Dax J, Konstantin Sibold and Shlomo all feature with contributions staying true to the Label's sound forged initially by its founders, and whether going down an epic or a more banging path, all versions pay respect to that special hypnotism which has found so many supporters. Veteran Producer James Ruskin masterfully condenses "Nachtblende" down to a loop while Ryan James Ford brings a touch of IDM-ish Bleep Techno to "Augen Der Nacht". Ed Davenport explores his Inland project further, contributing a stepping techno journey which is only matched by Rodhad's version in its sheer vastness. The release is split in two version EPs, namely FAM004.1 & FAM004.2. Both artworks function by themselves however its full glory shines when held next to each other as the paintings complement each other.