Tabernacle レコード& CD

Review: It's been almost two years since anonymous producer Anom Vitruv first appeared on Tabernacle, with a self-titled debut 12" that effortlessly joined the dots between a myriad of crusty, hardware-heavy house and techno styles. This second outing for the label - like the first, a kind of mini-album of untitled tracks - continues in a similar vein, variously exploring bleep-heavy dream techno ("Track 1"), distorted experimental textures ("Track 6"), intoxicating Arabic techno ("Track 5"), spooky but melodic futurism ("Track 4") and distorted post-electro (the standout "Track 3", which sees cascading, 8-bit melodies riding a hissing wave of fuzzy drum machine percussion).

Review: Largely found bashing out bastardised machine jams on Dark Entries, Bill Converse makes a logical move to Tabernacle for this new double pack of devilishly decent burners for the adventurous end of the night. The nagging hisses and end-of-days bleeps on "Tinnitus" will get right under your skin, while "Permission" stomps out a broken down jack to get the waifs and strays shaking. "Borealis" takes star-gazing techno into a particularly noisy dimension, "Operation" channels the spirit of Jamal Moss-minded acid freakery and "Mutiny" depicts the unkempt groove left after the breakdown of the hardware. "Awakening" ends things on a brighter note, twisting out grubby acid lines through some beautiful but distant chords and a snaking set of blown out drums.

Review: Desolate Figures is the excellent second album from John Heckle which builds on the strong debut LP the Liverpudlian released on Mathematics some two years ago. Indeed it's possible to view Heckle's affiliation with Mathematics as a springboard to wider acclaim - Heckle's debut EP earned him an honours at last year's Qwartz Awards and he's subsequently struck out with weighty slabs of hardware driven techno for Creme Organization, Signals, Apartment and Tabernacle Records. The latter label have become something of a second home for Heckle so it's no surprise to see Desolate Figures issued through Tabernacle and the nine tracks come across as a very intense collection that demonstrate Heckle's signature sound is becoming ever more impressive!

Review: John Heckle last released an album on Tabernacle three years ago, but he's been far from quiet since then with his Head Front Panel project diverting his attention towards blistering hard techno. Tone To Voice then represents a return to more melodic pastures with a more diverse selection of tempos and moods to choose from, but still Heckle's innate gift for expressive, dynamic machine music shines through. "Sonic Spectrometer" is a joyous slice of techno-jazz, while "Potential Life" whips up stunning cascading synth lines and pattering hats. At times, there's no need for a kick, and with ample ambient excursions woven into the mix this stands as one of Heckle's most accomplished releases yet.

Review: As a trusted source of high-grade leftfield analogue electronics, the Tabernacle label is at it again with the shimmering wares of Paul Mitchell. An Expedition explores various approaches to ambient and beatless compositions through decaying synthesisers, and it's quite astounding just how well realised these pieces are. Moving ever forwards with a dynamism that seems suited to soundtrack work, the complexity and accomplishment of all four tracks of mournful machine soul is undeniable. From lingering pads to expressive arpeggios, this EP runs the gamut of engrossing classical electronica, all the while keeping you hooked on where the instrumental tale will head next.

Review: Scientific Dreamz of U returns to Tabernacle with 4 tracks for open-hearted dancefloors.

Review: Tabernacle turn their attention towards the industrial side of their musical repertoire with this hard-hitting release from Russian and French outfit UVB76. Hot on the heels of their S A N album on Teenage Menopause, this formidable duo serve up a searing blend of classic EBM pressure and contemporary flair, veering from the Skinny Puppy-esque stomp of "Extend" to the bruising Vex'd-tinted dubstep flex of "Ckahep". "Rust" locks into a jagged, darkside techno rut, while "Helm" gets artful with space and noise sculpture. "Citizen" offers the most measured track on the release, an uneasily submerged kind of electro noir for tortured souls.