The foundations for Clergy were first built in Manchester in the spring of 2015 with the release of Cleric’s ‘Codes Of Chaos’ EP. It marked the dawn of a new day for the UK techno doyen - whose stock as a DJ and producer was already soaring, but whose inimitable prowess for A&R was still yet to be recognised. Ten years, 40 releases and countless performances across the globe later, Cleric’s stock in the industry is now priceless.

Ten VA’s are already in motion, to celebrate the 10 Years Of Clergy this year, and the second instalment titled ‘Beta’ has another 5 original tracks, closing off with a remix from Cleric, for a track from the labels extensive catalogue over the years.
“I like to give unknown artists a chance to rub shoulders with big names on our releases, not pre-judging their music based on the size of their profile. I scouted Stef and gave him his first release, and then followed to give advice over career choices. Something I’m proud to do with a lot of artists I work with” - Cleric

Taking the lead on ‘Beta’ is Stef Mendesidis – who’s noted for his unorthodox studio technique of one-take recording. ‘Hydra’ launches an audio raid from above by depositing waves of deep droning bass across a turbulent soundscape of flanging, militant musicality.
At the tail end of 2024, Regent debuted on SLAM’s revered mix series showcasing his cerebral capacity for blending past and present. With his track ‘Moorgate’ the young Berliner preserves the slick pace of the VA employing seamless drum patterns that tumble amongst looming pads and chopped vocals.

Hertz Collision and Programma provide the first collaborative effort of these 10-year anniversary VAs with ‘Concrete Skin’. The duo, who both hail from Florence, deliver with a visceral elegance smoothly working a curious melange of effects in with a stompy, warehouse drumbeat and a driving rhythm.

As the VA dauntlessly soars into its second half, Rome’s Rebecca Delle Piane opens with ‘Ten Dosis of Melatonin’. With the arrival of the extrasensory governess comes a forceful, wild vigour via a tirade of roaring sonics that growl amidst a beautifully chaotic, unpredictable melody.

There’s a distinctly combative feel to ‘Beta’ with each of the contributors seemingly offering up their finest new material. Which, if was the plan, was well and truly adhered to by German duo, Disguised. The Inherit Records founders – who in 2024 appeared regularly as hosts of Tresor’s ‘New Faces’ series – incite an audio riot on their ‘Kaki’ incorporating a rampaging drum loop with a tribal groove that twitches nervously amidst mysterious ghoul like chanting.

Bringing the second edition to a close is Cleric with a speedy reworking of Temudo’s juggernaut single, ‘In Chains’. The bludgeoning bass that gave the 2019 original such a daunting edge remains, but with the influx of frenetic drums the remix provides, it’s left to yawn angrily as if it's fighting for survival.

The second VA ‘Beta’ will be released on the 28th February on his label Clergy, available both digitally and on vinyl.

BCCO Premiere: Regent -  Moorgate [CRGX2]

Cutting edge techno curated in Berlin.

Applications for BCCO x SoundCloud New Faces Season 5 open in August. Pre-register using the link below and we will email you when applications open.

Comments

DJ ASMR

VARRZ

PRIVAA

Aka Brujo

Techno Recommends

WindStock