With a vicious vocal sample backed by a solid beat, Carlo Lio´s Escobar Season kicks off a pounding EP, released by Intec Digital (ID066). Reckoned by many to be one of Canada´s finest, this Toronto DJ, producer and head of the RAWthentic Music label definitely knows how to bring out the groove.
Italian producer Distant Echoes serves up 3 dark techno tracks on the Fury Road EP (Dystopian 009). Sandwiched between the first and last tunes is Road, a bouncy piece of techno full of synth stabs and huge kicks.
Break New Soil label boss Gregor Tresher has a knack for peak time pleasures, as the A-side of his Midas/Disturber single (BNS046) proves, with epic synths and monster kicks launching this white-hot track into the stratosphere.
An excellent track by Philipe Petit, another long-standing French DJ/producer. Playful bouncing synths and bass with an edgy melody tying it all together. Released by Figure SPC (SPC U).
Hardcore kick stylings give way to a rhythmic workout that´s authentic Clouds: intense and punishing, this track won´t let you go the easy way. First track off the Turbo Recordings Warehouse Series Compilation (TurboDX40).
Nina Kraviz has recently launched her record label трип (trip) with a compilation album (TRP001), showcasing (in her words) the trippier side of electronic dance music. This track by Reykjavik´s Bjarki is a fine example, with a pounding beat alongside high tones coming out of thin air, icy as his homeland´s name.
Hailing from Kiev, Yan Cook delivers a tough-yet-spacey EP on Delsin Records (109dsr). Standing out is opener Gravity, a grumbling grinding track that can generate its own heat.
An epic track by one of France´s leading techno DJs. A combination attack led by massive kicks and synths makes for a blistering record. Out on Deeply Rooted (DRH047).
A London producer keen on creating some of the most offbeat techno around, but always keeping the beat tighter than a submarine screw. His latest release on Russian Torrent Versions (CCCP010) proves just that with 3 rolling tracks that are very heavy on the bass.
From fixing Prince´s synths to producing monster tracks, New York´s Black Asteroid, a.k.a. Bryan Black, is a seasoned DJ whose new Black Moon EP (CLR084) hits all the right spots, especially the dark and seductive Black Moon.
A scary remix by Mord label head Bas Mooy of an original tune by Serbian producer Lag (MORD014). Full-on demented techno perfect for thrashing the dancefloor.
Kaiserdisco really steps into techno territory on its RAW 001 single, giving their new label KD RAW a fitting introduction to the dancefloor. A thundering kick drives the white-hot first cut.
Gerry Read is an odd electronic music artist, as he cannot be pigeonholed into any specific style, his productions always end up someplace in a different dimension musically. This time he takes on a techno beat and adds his strange vision to it, including wobbling bass. Out on Aus Music (AUS1471).
Spanish DJ and producer Dosem lays down 3 grumbling tracks for Intec Digital on his Return EP (ID058), including the dancefloor-igniting Proceed. An impressive addition to his already huge discography.
Raw, bare bones productions are Apes´ signature, stomping beats abound and a vocal sample gives this tune a slightly garage-y feeling. Out on Church. (CHURCH004).
Marco´s one half of the Zenker Brothers, the duo that runs things at techno label Ilian Tape. On his 2626 EP (IT026), Zenker drops 4 meaty tracks including floor stomper Darai, reminiscent of the old school days.
Giving off a strong old-school vibe, this track opens Innershades´ Dark Society EP, out on Creme Organization (Creme 12-75). Synth stabs mark the pace all through this cut, where repetition is key in reaching full intensity.
Sans cesse means "constantly" or "without stopping", precisely the feeling one gets from this relentless track by Berlin producer Mike Dehnert. Track #3 off his finely crafted Switch Back To City EP, on Fachwerk Records (FW034).
A properly mental track from this Greek DJ´s latest release, the Vyper EP, out on Monnom Black (Monnom Black 004) a vinyl-only record label from London. Huge kicks give this tune depth, closing a very aggresive - and banging - record.
Hailing from Belfast, Phil Kieran specializes in oddball and very distinctive techno, relying mainly on percussion and strange effects. On his new single Hells Bells, released under his own label (PKR024), Kieran unleashes two rhythmic workouts done in a very dark atmosphere.
A thumping 4x4 beat drives this solid track by Italian producer Luigi Madonna, with a filtered and looped vocal sample making an appearance to increase the intensity of this techno monster. From the Background single out on Drumcode Records (DC135).
Scottish producer Edit Select gives Kiev duo Woo York a run for their money on this dark remix, where a low rumble pushes the beat along giving this track a menacing facelift. Out on Soma Records (Soma 418) as a three track single.
A very trippy track from Los Angeles producer Truncate, who keeps the beat raw and tight in his trademark way and moves us along with it. 3 new tracks on red vinyl (TRUNCATE11).
Christian Smith should know how to make an effective techno scorcher, and he proves it in this elegant track off his Stranger Than Paradise LP, out on Tronic (TR 160). House legend Cevin Fisher lends a hand in the production duties, creating a slow burning instant classic.
Bringing this release by Black Nite Records (BLN005) back from earlier in the year, French producer Deapmash turns out two interesting original tracks, but it´s Divided´s remix of Meters what truly catches the ear, with an unstoppable kick anchoring an otherwise relaxed atmosphere.
Scuba makes a second appearance this month, this time remixing Locked Groove´s spacey Enigma, turning it into an all-out main floor hypnotizer on this Hotflush release (HFT037).
It´s Italy´s turn on the decks, represented by Venetian producer Bastinov, whose original Pentagon track is remixed by Luca Agnelli, from Tuscany, giving it a brutal rework. Out on Etruria Beat on tasty vinyl, highly recommended (etb019).
This Greek producer turns out a fine 12" single on Enemy Records (enemy025) with the remix duties for the first track "Exhale" falling on Mark Broom, who makes its dark side rise up and take over.
Mysterious colombian producer WIRE unleashes the Encounter EP through Dutch label Mord Records (MORD013). Six tracks that will leave you with a strange uneasy feeling.
Dense and Pika return to Hotflush with an EP full of evil beats (HF043), starting with the clanking title track all the way to slower techno roller Bad Ink, hard to miss.
...and here is the full LP mixed by its creators:
More music by this hyperactive German wünderkind, two tasty techno cuts that add to an already impressive and perpetually growing discography. Percussive and dark, the way it´s meant to be. Vinyl-only and limited to 500 copies (BNRTRAX034).
Killer track from Kill Frenzy´s debut album on Dirtybird (DB 116). Bass heavy with a thumping low frequency acid line and vocals fit for the best mind-fucking techno.
The Black Dog continues their series inspired on the found sounds of their native Sheffield, released by their own Dust Science label (Dustv042). Dark and broody techno from these tried and true masters.
Straight from Berlin, Bavarian producer Recondite dishes out some of the most compelling techno in every release. This time, he revisits the track Garbo from his Iffy album on Innervisions Records and gives it a wider thump, making it ready for the dancefloor (IV55).
Straight up hard techno with a massive kick and underground vibe on this Berlin trio´s debut with the mighty 50 Weapons (50Weapons39). It´s back to raw basics and it´s working, no frills on these beats.
Keeping a steady flow of solid techno releases, Graze once more delves deep into the skin of the genre and comes out with two dark crunchers worthy of the dampest dungeon (nk42).
Scuba closes his Phenix trilogy with four quality tracks, two of which are dancefloor ready alongside two spacier and more delicate efforts. This EP (PNX003), as well as the other two in the series, is as cold and crisp as a winter morning.
Post-industrial warehouse techno lashed out by this young producer from Turin. Inspired by his city, Andrea captures the moodiest side of the kick drum creating a truly room-filling sound (IT025).
A bad boy of a tune, old school stylings move alongside mechanical noises and a wicked bass. From the Ultramajic compilation Metaphysix III: Correspondence (LVX011).
A proper techno freight train from Japan: rolling beats and bass create an unstoppable track that begs to be played outdoors at full volume. (THEM001)
Taken from the Ostgut Ton compilation Panorama Bar 06 (O-TON 81), this track from Roman Flügel has its feet planted firmly on techno on one side and house on the other, proving that beats and stabs can be very powerful dancefloor weapons.
