Part of the AmbientOnline.org Compilation Vol. 1.  Hit the 'buy' button to download this track for free until Sunday August 11th at midnight PDT.

Written and Produced by Chris Bryant and Don Tyler.

The Milky Seas

Download: http://iketa.bandcamp.com/album/color-ep

Haze

DJ BASS - Hold My Body Remix

The Bells · Jeff Mills T.A.M.F. remix

Schranz and Its Connection to Jeff Mills’ “The Bells”

Connection to Jeff Mills’ “The Bells”: Jeff Mills’ The Bells (1997, Purpose Maker, PM-002) isn’t pure Schranz but heavily influenced its development. Its raw, hypnotic loop and pounding 4/4 kick resonated with the harder, minimal techno sound that Schranz built upon. Here’s how it ties in:
* Influence on Schranz Producers: Mills’ use of repetitive, functional loops in The Bells inspired Schranz’s stripped-down aesthetic. Its 140 BPM tempo and relentless drive aligned with Schranz’s ethos, making it a proto-Schranz track for DJs like Liebing or Boris S.
* Club Play: The Bells was a staple in late ’90s hard techno sets, bridging Detroit techno’s soul with Schranz’s aggression. Its iconic bell riff added a melodic hook that Schranz often avoided but still absorbed as a reference for tension-building.
* Remixes and Legacy: Later Schranz DJs (e.g., Eric Sneo, DJ Amok) remixed or drew from The Bells’ energy. For example, the 2006 10th Anniversary The Bells 12” (PM-020) had a louder, Schranz-friendly master that fit harder sets.

Original Pressing Context: As mentioned earlier, The Bells appeared on the Kat Moda EP (1997, Purpose Maker, PM-002, 12” vinyl). Its raw production—gritty kicks, unpolished mastering—mirrors Schranz’s unrefined edge. Schranz DJs likely gravitated to originals or early represses for their analog warmth, though the track’s quieter mix (compared to 2000s Schranz cuts) required DJs to crank the gain.

Where to Find Schranz-Inspired The Bells:
* Original 1997 Vinyl: Hunt on Discogs/Reverb for PM-002 ($20–$50). Check matrix: PM 002-A/B (RE I) NSC.
* Streaming: The 1997 version (on Spotify/Beatport) retains the raw vibe Schranz fans love.
* Modern Schranz Comps: Look for The Bells in hard techno mixes or CLR/Tresor compilations. Check X posts or SoundCloud for recent Schranz sets featuring it.

Schranz Today (Oct 2025): Schranz remains a niche but vibrant scene. Recent X posts highlight new releases on labels like Schranz Total or Hard Drive, with DJs like Fernanda Martins and Luciid pushing 150+ BPM bangers. The Bells still gets play in retro sets or as a remixed bootleg in Schranz raves.
Want me to dig into a specific Schranz artist, label, or a The Bells remix in this style? Or maybe check X for recent Schranz chatter? Let me know! 🔔

Deep Dive: Schranz – The Hard Techno Beast 🦖
Since you’re doubling down on Schranz, let’s go full throttle. This is the raw, pounding heart of German hard techno—no fluff, just facts, history, essentials, and where to score it today (Oct 16, 2025). The Bells connection? It’s the proto-Schranz blueprint—hypnotic loops + brutal kick = Schranz DNA. Ready? Gas it up!

Schranz 101: What the Hell Is It?
* Born: Late 1990s, Frankfurt/Germany. Evolved from Jeff Mills/Rene Pawlowitz-style minimal techno into a weaponized sound.
* Tempo: 140–160+ BPM (faster = harder life).
* Sound: Distorted 909 kicks that hurt, razor-sharp hi-hats, zero melody (unless it’s a stab), industrial noise loops. Think: a jackhammer in a warehouse.
* Name Origin: Chris Liebing (2001) called it “Schranz” to mock haters saying hard techno was just “schrammel” (grating noise). DJs flipped it into pride.
* Ethos: Anti-EDM, sweat-soaked, 6AM warehouse raves. No peaks—just relentless drive.

Schranz vs. Regular Techno:
Feature	Schranz	Standard Techno
BPM	145–160	120–140
Kick	Distorted, punchy AF	Clean, groovy
Melodies	Minimal/none	Hooks & synth

Vibe	Dark, aggressive	Hypnotic, soulful
Clubs	Berghain, Tresor	Fabric, Output
Timeline: Schranz Evolution
Year	Milestone	Key Track/Artist
1997	The Bells drops (Mills). Proto-Schranz loop energy.	Jeff Mills – The Bells
1999	Frankfurt explosion. Liebing coins term.	Chris Liebing – American Madness


SCHRANZ ON! 🦖🔔 Drop the needle—let’s destroy some speakers.

Recording 16-10-25, 11.55.43 am

Vengeance

Artist: State Azure
Title: Hex EP
Release Date: 12/19/15
Label: Mindspring Music
Catalog #: MSM011
Genre: Progressive, Psytrance, Chill
Remix Artists: Magnus, Twin Shape, & Condensspur
Artwork: Jono Hislop
Typography: Stephen Moon
Mastering: All tracks mastered by Stephen Moon, except "Transmission - Mangnus Remix" (Mike Wadel)

Mindspring Music Present: State Azure - Hex EP [MSM011]

State Azure makes his debut Mindspring appearance with a melodic & progressive release, with wonderfully glitchy elements and deep ambiance. Hex swirls with pads and twinkling keys, while its subterranean bass pulls you in, a very hypnotic and eveloving tune. Twin Shape is first up on remix duties, slowing things down and putting a Psychill spin on the original. Magnus is up next, raising the energy levels with his signature Psytrance style - never losing the gorgeous feel that Hex exudes. Transmission is on the B-Side and keeps the EP flowing in the same sort of channel. Much more on the glitchy side with its percussion and sweet little psychedelic stabs, it features the same sort of breathtaking swells and bright plucks. The atmosphere morphs and shimmers beautifully, while the low-end rolls ever forward. Condensspur has chosen to focus on the ambient elements of Transmission and created an elongated intro with wonderful additions, such as guitar, in his remix - A great bookend to this well crafted EP. 

Label Links: 
https://soundcloud.com/mindspring-music
https://www.facebook.com/mindspringmusic/
https://mindspringmusic.bandcamp.com/

Artist Links:
State Azure - https://soundcloud.com/state-azure
Magnus - https://soundcloud.com/magnus_official
Twin Shape - https://soundcloud.com/twinshape
Condennspur - https://soundcloud.com/condensspur


State Azure - Transmission [Mindspring Music]

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From the album Oort Cloud, http://phobium.bandcamp.com/album/oort-cloud
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