The Manic Brothers six track EP begins with ‘Praying Mantis’; a deep techno offering using a swelling bass line that rumbles under the track whilst the distinctive synth phrase shifts the groove of the track. ‘Voices’ huge hypnotic stabs generate a late night dub that uses sparse percussion and interesting delay effects to mesmerise the crowd. ‘Life After Life’ is a more euphoric and delicate take on techno and uses subtle percussion and melodies to create an ethereal felt track. Using a more industrial style of techno, ‘Hidden History’ includes lots of snare rolls and a stab that is infectious whilst rolling over a heavy kick drum. ‘Introduction’ is a long player and takes it time to slowly build synth melodies and stabs that morph into an unbelievable record. ‘Morning Mass’ rounds off the EP using an unusual rhythmic instrument and beautiful synth pads to create a record that leaves you wanting more.

DC118 - Manic Brothers - Hidden History - Drumcode

DC118 - Manic Brothers - Introduction - Drumcode

Kaiserdisco start the three-track single with ‘El Tiburon’ that has a pulsating bass line, which isn’t for the feint hearted. This peak time stomper uses a melodic synth and unusual synth effects to create the building atmosphere before it kicks back into the throbbing beat. The ascending bass line on the second track ‘La Caballa’, is supported by white noise and a rising synth that will make any dancefloor erupt into a heated flow of energy. The third and final track ‘La Morena’, is a bit more on the funky side of techno, using rhythmic percussion to create a cool, peak-time vibe.

DC121 - Kaiserdisco - El Tiburon - Drumcode

Using rolling percussion and a thumping kick, Luigi’s four track EP starts with a bang as the title suggests; ‘Primo’ really is unbeatable! Luigi uses synth stabs that add character and finesse to this outstanding piece of music. ‘I Believe’ uses dubby drums and an infectious vocal to really tear things apart before dropping into a melodic synth section that will make anyone move. Tantra’s melodic groove synths help this early morning track really come into its own before the main melodic section, accompanied by strings, will take any clubber to their own dimension. Hypnotizek rounds off the EP being more upfront about where it’s going. This cheeky, groove based track will warm up a dance floor quickly and get people in the mood for a real party!

DC122 - Luigi Madonna - Hypnotizek - Drumcode

Not In Love x Avenger (JvD Edit) - Crystal Castle x Rockets (2)

B.JNR OFFICIAL - REVENGE OF BLADE.

Almost one year in the making, Bulgaria’s outstanding techno talent lands his return to Drumcode with a four-track EP. 

Timmo (aka Valeri Ivanov) doesn’t do things in half measures. Since the release of his excellent ‘System’ EP last year and ‘Muzik’, his inclusion on A-Sides Vol.6, he’s committed himself to crafting, refining and polishing a quartet of cuts inspired by the cosmic realms beyond planet earth. Titled ‘Meteorite’, its release marks 10 years since he first began producing and stakes its claim as a resounding career highlight with tracks already highlighting gigs for Adam Beyer at Tobacco Dock, Awakenings, Future Kappa Festival and Junction 2.

Beginning with the title track, the streamlined work throbs with a searing synthetic pulse. ‘Black Moon’ sees the EP land its first blow, kicking with a mixture of undulating synths and understated hoovers. ‘Spacetime’ stays true to its name delivering intergalactic techno vibes. ‘Cosmos’ concludes the work, taking us into extra-terrestrial dancefloor territory, with a barrage of trippy synth work and a melodic underbelly the makes the track both beautiful and heavy-hitting in equal measure.

Timmo - Spacetime  - Drumcode - DC194

Drumcode mark their landmark 100th release with a two-track EP that comes directly from the heart of the label’s operation. Just as with the label’s first release sixteen years ago, Adam Beyer positions himself at the controls, unleashing the shimmering ‘The Color Out Of Space’ with its euphoric melody riding on the back of nagging chords and booming kick. A product of Beyer’s studio collaboration with Ida Engberg, ‘Lovecraft’ takes its place on the b-side, cutting a trippy journey through distinctive chord patterns and undulating melodies that bounce around in the mix, underpinned by a heads-down groove. 

DC100 A Adam Beyer - The Color Out Of Space - clip

The EP starts with Mikael Jonasson’s, ‘Benefit of the Doubt’ which uses dark, melodic bleeps to create tension before the epic chord stabs kick in that resonate over the throbbing bass line. Adam Beyer steps up with the second track ‘Never Really Left Home’ that uses a rhythmic synth-line to create a dark and moody piece of music. Ida Engberg then delivers her unique style of techno using old rave sounds and a huge hoover style synth to create a driving techno track that will keep any dancefloor moving. The Manic Brother’s supply another big track named ‘Different Directions’ using reverberated stabs to create an atmospheric, but still functional track with lots of rhythmic percussion thrown in. Patrick Siech then steps up with the next track, ‘Kill Room’ that also uses atmospheric percussion and stabs to build into a funky drum groove. Joel Mull presents the sixth track on the compilation; ‘Rimson’ that uses hypnotic drums to captures the listener’s attention to lead into a floaty synth and vocal line before the track introduces a pulsating bass line. ‘Second Coming’ is the next offering with Petter B using recurrent percussion to full effect to create a purposeful, heavy hitting techno track. The final track by Cari Lekebusch called ‘Xylopeggiator’, conveys a dark, pounding 5 AM rhythm that uses vocal samples and a melodic synth to create a hypnotic drum pattern.

07 - DC107 - Manic Brothers - Different Directions - Drumcode

06 - DC107 - Petter B - Second Coming - Drumcode

Raxon lands his first richly-deserved Drumcode EP.

There’s something distinctive about the Egyptian-born artist’s productions that provoke a special response. His debut outing on Drumcode, ‘Dream Space’ soundtracked our favourite takeaway moment from Awakenings Festival in 2019, as Adam Beyer and his three daughters danced along to their mum Ida Engberg’s set, wearing smiles the size of watermelons. More recently, when Beyer played ‘Connection’ during the ‘Drumcode Indoors II’ stream from his Ibiza home, once more, his daughters sprang into dance mode, their fists striking the sky. Raxon’s music just touches you, it’s unavoidable. 

After a pair of contributions to Truesoul and ‘Dream Space’ appearing on A-Sides Vol.8 last year, his maiden Drumcode EP is perfectly timed. ‘Connection’ is catchy intergalactic techno, driven by thick wedges of bass and an irresistible lead hook. ‘Orbit’ initially takes a crunchier and more percussive tone, before rich melodic chords sprout from the darkness to add colour to the mix.

Buy all

Raxon — Connection — Drumcode — DC227

Independent record label owned by Adam Beyer.