Back catalogue: Techno (すべて)

Review: Hydraulix Records continues to push the boundaries of ravey techno with Va03, a four-track EP that transports listeners back to the early '90s warehouse scene with its infectious energy and relentless beats. Side 1 kicks off with Acerbic's 'Deep In Your Mind,' a heavy sci-fi pounder that channels the essence of early '90s techno rave vibes. With nods to the big Belgium sounds and a prominent Hoover sound, this track is an instant banger that commands attention on the dancefloor. Following suit, Minor Dott's 'What You Callin Acid' delivers a menacing and sinister atmosphere, characterized by its mechanical and demonic undertones. It's a track that exudes raw power and intensity, perfect for those craving an adrenaline-fueled sonic experience. On Side 2, Andreas Kraemer & Shadym team up to bring us 'Reflect,' a percussive and loopy journey through hardcore rave sounds. The track pulsates with energy, immersing listeners in a hypnotic groove that's impossible to resist. Finishing things are Dave The Drummer & Phil Kershaw's 'Bassline Sunset,' a big room rave techno anthem that hits all the right notes. With its infectious bassline and euphoric atmosphere, this track is destined to ignite dancefloors worldwide. Each track on this EP offers a unique sonic experience, making it a must-have for fans of the early 90s rave scene.

Review: Some six years after debuting via a deliciously angular and energetic EP from Jaquarius and Mono-Enzyme 307, the Acid Avengers imprint notches up release number 20. Like most of the label's EPs, it's a multi-artist affair. Sometime Balkan Vinyl and Bass Assault artist Acidulant handles side A, bouncing between rushing, piano-sporting 1992 hardcore revivalism ('Super Rave'), sub-heavy deep electro haziness ('Save The Last Rave') and throbbing, arpeggio driven trance/breakbeat techno fusion ('Hauz Trax'). Voiron, who last graced the label back in 2016, takes over on the flip. The Paris-based producer first fuses glistening, spacey melodies, twisted acid lines, post-electro beats and dirty bass on 'Bon Kick Voiron', before opting for deep acid house on 'Digital Voiron Workstation' and atmospheric, Orbital-meets-'90s tech-house on 'Sugar Voiron'.

Review: Adlas steps up to the Hayes label here for the very first time and impresses while doing so. His take on techno is economical and stripped back but never light on impact. 'Deadstock' opens with glitchy textures and creepy, subterranean sonic echoes while a linear beat rolls on. 'Magnetic' is a little more punchy and is powered by a pulsing bassline while 'Open Question' is a dubbed-out cut with beats that skate along and twanging hits reverberate throughout. 'The Rumors Are True' shuts down with another glitchy broken beat and coarse claps with some tripped-out synth work up top.

Review: Coyu's Barcelona-based Suara label continues to push the thresholds of hard techno, with this new one by legend Cisco Ferreira under his reknowned The Advent moniker. Brace yourself for The Movement EP, featuring heavy duty sonic artillery that must be handled with extreme caution. From the brutalist dystopian slammer "Witches Spell" to the unrelenting peak time fury of "Live 98 Tour" which is reminiscent of timeless classics like "Bad Boy", to the Detroit style breakneck electro funk of "Same 4" which is a collaboration with his son Zein. Ferreira proves yet again that even after 30 years in the game, he is still miles ahead of the rest - respect!

Review: The Danza Nativa label is fresh off the back of a fine fifth birthday celebratory 2 part compilation but wastes no time getting back to business. Alderaan is the man in charge with his second for the label and 'Transition' kicks off with some mad LFO business melting your mind. Psyk remixes it into a more paired back and spooky subterranean techno prowler. With 'Vortex' there is yet more nocturnal menace with ticking hi-hats seeing rhythm as squelchy, unsettling sounds peel off the beats. 'Futurismo' closes down with a gurgling lead line and distant sci-fi sounds that complete this most futuristic EP.

Review: Ellen Allien remains at the top of her game for big, pounding Berlin techno with a deviant edge, and that's no more apparent than on 'Rave Luv'. Chopping up vocals and messing with the synth shapes, she proves that just a few tweaks can take a tried and tested formula into wild and weird new territory, which is why she's such a vital artist after all these years. Backing up that consummate A side is 'Lust', a more melancholic affair balancing menacing undercurrents with mournful melodics in the middle distance, strapped, of course, to a 4/4 beat.

Review: Fourth part of the compilation celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Milanese record shop. This collection is entirely composed of previously unreleased music, exclusively produced for the occasion by many artists of great relevance in the worldwide music scene, who supported the store over the last ten years.
This EP features Ellen Allien, Kreggo, Timeslip89, Itinerant Dubs and Heith.

Review: Altone, an emerging talent in dub techno, delivers the Invincible Nature EP on Denmark's Echocord Records, a label revered for over two decades. The EP showcases Altone's knack for crafting deep soundscapes. Side-1 features 'Naturally Unnatural,' presenting two distinct takes: the first is sparse and minimal, epitomizing classic dub techno, while the second version is more techy and aggressive, adding an edge to the composition. Side-2 brings remixes of 'Unnaturally Balanced.' Thomas Fehlmann, a legendary producer, lends his expertise to the 'Naturally Flowing' remix, infusing it with a fluid, dynamic quality. The 'Another Channel' version rounds out the EP with a quintessential dub treatment, staying true to the genre's roots. Invincible Nature EP is a compelling showcase of versatility in dub techno and Echocord's enduring influence in the scene.

Review: Danza Nativa is rightly celebrating its fifth anniversary recently and now follows up the first part of its anniversary compilation with part two, featuring tunes from across a broad spectrum. The first side delves into tribal rhythms and strident synths with Amandra keeping it stripped back and minimal and Dino Sabatini going deep and dubby on 'Danza Tribale'. Polygonia and Plants Army Revolver then set your mind free to wander among lush sound designs and captivating rhythms that head deep into a humid and futurist jungle.

Review: Amorphic and Tensal hook back in to the machine to dialyse their crafts once more, with 'Highland Frequencies' offering up four, machine-numbered atoning lambs to our mech overlords, following up the equally arrayed 'Distant Landscapes' EP (2024) on Blueprint. Now bringing their distinctive cataloguing system to the discographic vanitas Mord, four more 'AT' tracks make for an irresistibly well-layered, synthetically one-of-a-kind release. Only 'AT4' gets a subtitle, 'The Sleepwalker', where a sandman's slumbrous, lollygaggling beats somehow, at the same time, betray a subconscious, paradoxical restlessness.

Review: OHM is quickly becoming a quality imprint you can count on for techno and dub techno. The ninth addition in the series, it calls for an excellent blend of composers to balance this EP out. Veteran Jamie Anderson collabs with the brilliant Owain K on opener. The 'Aqua Dub' builds a euphoria for late night smiles. Smooth is an understatement on this linear gem. One artist on here that's been making strong appearances on many dub techno labels is the ever-talented Francisco Aguado. 'Balance' is a great tribal transition track for any DJ who can it creatively to build the means to an end. On the second side, Star Dub offers the very addictive and techy 'Forst'. Ending on a high note, the brisk and flighty 'Ever Growing' by Volpe completes the ninth edition in a rapturous mood. If you like deep techno, the OHM series is a must to collect.

Review: Over the last few years, Dario and Marco Zenker's excellent Ilian Tape has given us some of the purest and most bold-faced techno around. The label has built up a solid reputation as being all about the music, minus the hype, and Italy's Andrea has been there at the forefront of their growth. The Turin-based producer returns to the moody imprint with his third EP for the label, led by the thumping, hypnotic swings of "Outlines" - containing possibly the best kick drums we've heard since Head High - and the break-ridden journey that is "Rainbow", on the A-side. The flip sees "Machine" enter a no nonsense mode, where a fast percussive groove locks tightly within a sea of intergalactic pads, and dubby, broken pastures on "Choral". All in all, this is a fine selection of wild, dare-to-be-different dancefloor tracks that span many styles and influences. Tip!

Review: Ilian Tape staple Andrea returns to the imprint, marking a big one for the Munich-based operation with a massive album by Skee Mask also this week. As always, UK and rave influences are abundant throughout the talented producer's work and this one is no exception. This EP is called Sktch and features the cavernous, glacial and downright knackered dub techno of 'Sarec', followed by the sinister subterranean breaks of Auxl and the meditative deep dubstep frequencies of 'Kjones' which sees him delve deeper into off kilter territory.

Review: Dan Andrei is arguably one of the finest selectors of this generation and a master minimal producer who makes electronic music of the highest order. His latest outing sees him inaugurating his own brand-new label alongside Claudiu Stefan. Rainbow Hill is a platform for their more personal ideas and starts with four more of Andrei's brilliantly deft yet dramatic tracks. 'Numan's Touch' kicks off with rolling drums and bass and a fine eco-system of cosmic pads, twinkling keys and fizzing synths that are theatrical and involving. 'What Else?' then gets darker and more intense with heady loops and wispy pads, and again the ante is upped and the darkness pervades once more on the tense and taught dub-tech roller 'This Is What I See'. Last of all, 'Bluer Than Ever' floats above the floor with airy pads and radiant chords. A perfect 5am vibe.

Review: Arkvs presents his latest record for Planet Rhythm, 'Moment To Breath', capturing the essence of the function of the human lungs in a short, waxen pulmonary burst. The emotive range of techno lends it many capabilities: for example, it can either provide the sense of filling the space, or it can provide a kind affective vacuum in which people might chill; Arkvs knows this instinctively to be the case, fusing the titular breathing room with a nonetheless extended motive to dance. 'Moment To Breath' (not breathe, apparently) plays up the purely roomy under-movements of techno, leaving much headroom for our excesses of somatic energies to fill the gaps; 'Conditions' carries out some of this work, working in a comparatively percussive modular drum sequence; 'Exodus' is the most jam-packed, but still conserves its 'breathing room' with thoracic stabs and bronchitic bursts. Is it possible to relax while dancing? Yes. Take a breather, but don't stop moving.

Review: Atimpuri emerges from the Italian prog techno scene with Present Magnificus, a sublime new EP for the small but already well formed Spaziotempo (or 'space time') label. Giordano is already known amongst those who know as a fine DJ and producer, as the uninitiated will now discover with this top label debut. He explores fusing of an array of styles form techno to prog, trance to Italo, breakbeat to electro on an EP that is thoroughly of the moment. all the sounds are sci-fi in design and futuristic in mood with compelling grooves and plenty of great designs that work as well on head as they do heel.

Review: Detroit godfather Juan Atkins and Berlin techno legend Moritz Von Oswald return as Borderland, one of several collaborations since 1992 and following up their 2016 album for Tresor: the Transport LP which again consolidated both respective artist's solid studio experience, honed over the last 30 years. The funky, slightly bumpin' and absolutely addictive hi-tech soul of "Concave 1" will have you grooving away on a late night dancefloor in Berlin or beyond with its evocative and life affirming vibes. On the flip "Concave 2" further explores their studio refined sequences on this heady and hypnotic journey full of woozy arpeggios, steely rhythms and dubby bass frequencies.

Review: Neapolitan producer Raffaele Attanasio pays homage to his homeland's rich musical hertiage with this mega-impressive techno-trance five-tracker. 'Quasar' is an expert project when it comes to breakdowns and buildups, with spitting synth stabs occupying the oft-minute long spaces between each drop and drum section. While the title track is the main melodic star, an acidic lichen begins to grow on the EP at about halfway in, rendering the whole thing darker and texturally juicier.

Review: Two sides of mega-minimal, textural minimal and a dash of drone here, shared equally between friends Bastian Balders and Anton Kubikov. The producers bring a sophistication to the tech, reflecting the huge variation in the emotions they indulge. Something between ecstasy and horror is heard on Balders' 'Machinery', while Kubikov's 'Introland' is comparatively hopeful and tearjerking, with its delayed piano refractions and filtery-in-and-out strings.

Review: Third part of the compilation celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Milanese record shop. This collection is entirely composed of previously unreleased music, exclusively produced for the occasion by many artists of great relevance in the worldwide music scene, who supported the store over the last ten years. The artists who produced the music for this compilation are Egyptian Lover, Ellen Allien, Thomas Brinkmann, Neil Landstrumm, JD Twitch, Matias Aguayo, San Proper, Tolouse Low Trax, Jay Glass Dubs, Dj Marcelle, Jorge Velez, Tamburi Neri, Fabrizio Mammarella, Heith, Itinerant Dubs, Timeslip89, Kreggo and Intersezioni Ensemble. The entire work is composed of 4 x 12", plus a bonus EP.

Review: Interruption Records 007 delivers four techno monsters, each track a distinct force within the genre. Side-1 opens with Punto's 'La Trampa,' a heavy pounding techno workout that brings no-nonsense, big sounds to the forefront. Following is Marcio M's 'Spacetime Stone,' an ominous builder with rising energy and a catchy vibe that keeps the momentum strong. Flipping to Side-2, Acerbic's 'Way Of The Underground' introduces alien-sounding retro techno, evoking rave nostalgia with its unique blend of sounds. Finally, Phazegenerator's 'PartyLine' offers a loopy, underground track that's a strong DJ tool, perfect for driving the dancefloor. Powerful and diverse, this blend of heavy beats, rising energy, and nostalgic elements ensures the techno party will not stop.

Review: As the artist alias kind of suggests, Abyssy takes a deep dive into the unknown depths of the human spirit. It finds the artist returning to Simona Faraone's label after several years and finds him exploring electronic sounds of the 70s and 80s, blending Berlin school minimalism with Detroit techno's soul and funk. It is a record that ranges in mood and tempo as it heads into oceanic depths where wispy pads and chattery percussive patterns collide in unusual ways. It's a largely abstract album of unusual sound designs and genuine electronic discovery that often has you wondering just how certain abounds have been made.

Review: "It's like painting with button and sliders... Melting and dripping, seeping yourself liquid into the machinery." So said Darren Cunningham when discussing the creation of R.I.P, his long awaited follow up to Splazsh. It's a compelling image that works in practice too. R.I.P creates microcosmic sound worlds within each track: "Holy Water" for instance tumbles in on itself in a melange of shimmering sine wave droplets, while the pitch shifted waves of "Tree Of Knowledge" seem to inhale and exhale like a living being, crumpling inwards on itself to repeat the same motion ad infinitum. And although it uses much the same, occasionally abrasive sonic building blocks as Cunningham's been developing for many years, the pastoral tones of "Uriel's Black Harp" and the Alva Noto styles of "Jardin" make R.I.P a surprisingly graceful album. It may not be techno as many will know it, but Cunningham has never made techno in the traditional sense anyway - and it's clear on listening to R.I.P that he's only just beginning to realise the musical forms that have been swarming inside his brain for years.

Review: Some 25 years after delivering his debut 12", Richard D James hasn't lost the ability to thrill or inspire. By his obtuse standards, the material that makes up the surprise Cheetah EP is actually rather laidback and melodious. "Cheetah2 (LD Spectrum)", for example, sounds like a slow house jam written by robots, while the even deeper "Cheetah7B" shuffles along in a metronomic fashion, seemingly oblivious to the increasingly aggressive World at large. Of course, those trademark skittish IDM rhythms are present and the Cornishman has thrown in a couple of hazy ambient cuts for good measure.