techno

Dustin Zahn makes his album debut in March 2014 with the release of Monoliths on Adam Beyer's Drumcode label. Gestating over a period of a four years during break from releasing original solo material, Monoliths sees the Minneapolis native capturing the full breadth of his production style in the long-player format for the first time. Having become a mainstay of the Drumcode line-ups for their Berghain residency and beyond, the challenge was set for the Berlin-based Zahn to build upon the reputation he has established in the past decade-and-a-half since he first arrived on the scene, during which time he has also given a platform to artists such as DVS1, Minilogue, Psyk and Truncate via his Enemy Records imprint. 
"Adam Beyer has supported me since day one and almost all of my output has found its' way into his sets since the beginning. Aside from being a champion of my music, he has also become a good friend and has been a big help to me when times were tough. Drumcode was a major influence on me when I first started getting into techno. Getting the opportunity to do an album for an inspirational label with a massive following made choosing them an easy decision." 
The bracing retro-futurist synths of 1984 tease what's to follow: epic, ambitious, raw real techno - as imperious as the album title implies and impeccably designed for the tallest speaker stacks. When the record is at its most dancefloor-focused each cut is an amalgamation of classic techno elements that encapsulate the genre at its most uncompromising, though Zahn's skill as a producer shines through in his ability to demonstrate the range contained within this aesthetic. Whilst embodying the genre's purity of purpose, Monoliths is still able to find and explore different sonic palettes. 
"The overall tone is noticeably a bit more industrial and colder since it was written over a brutal winter in Berlin. It also marks my return to a heavy emphasis on hardware for a more raw sound. A lot of producers try to show their range on albums by writing music that isn't necessarily their strong point. In result, you get a lot of albums with mediocre 'listening' tracks and a couple of token 'club bangers' that should have just been destined for an EP anyway. I decided that I was going to focus on my strengths and write a full-on techno album that sums up my career so far."

12. Dustin Zahn - Eternal Winter - Drumcode

11. Dustin Zahn - May Day - Drumcode

10. Dustin Zahn - Insatiable Hunger - Drumcode

09. Dustin Zahn - Sundays in Berlin - Drumcode

06. Dustin Zahn - Miss You - Drumcode

05. Dustin Zahn - Fire in the Sky - Drumcode

03. Dustin Zahn - Against the Grain - Drumcode

02. Dustin Zahn - District of Light - Drumcode

01. Dustin Zahn - 1984 - Drumcode

Timmo’s debut Drumcode release ‘We Beat On’ carries a flow through out that gives Timmo his own unique sound that has captured the ears of many highly revered techno DJ’s around the world. Timmo uses hypnotic sounds and phrases whilst he always maintains a thumping techno beat that underlies all the tracks within this EP to maximum effect. Furthermore, there is a ghostly feel amongst Timmo’s tracks that really provide him with his acquired sound, the pads in ‘Canvas’ are a beautiful reminder of this. Timmo also uses strong synth stabs to full effect that juxtapose against the drums to help create the tension and aggression that is present within techno.

Timmo - Metropolis- Drumcode - DC125

Timmo - Bloom - Drumcode - DC125

Bart Skils returns to Drumcode with his third solo release, ‘Shadowprint’. Consisting of Bart’s famous rolling drums and bass rhythms he has crafted an EP that is exceptionally functional. With each track Bart has added character by introducing vocals, interesting melodies and deep percussion to keep it interesting. The EP is made up of 3 peak time tracks that are eloquently put together. ‘My Part Of Town’ is a bit deeper from Bart and contrast’s well to the rest of the EP with it’s melodic bass line.

Bart Skils - Shadowprint - Drumcode - DC126

Petter B delivers an outstanding new EP on Drumcode proving that Swedish techno is thriving! The first track which, is a collaboration between Petter B, John H & M.E.E.O, uses an arpegiated synth before storming to the main section of the track and breaking down the doors. The gliding synth  sounds really fire with all guns blazing to produce a techno monster that growls. Petter B’s next two tracks involve two solo offerings that are heavily techno based. ‘Voltage Controlled Time’ uses raw distorted drums and a catchy synth line to really give the track a lot of energy and power. ‘Loggbay Session B’ incorporates a cool percussion element to the track to add rhythm and funk to the straight chunky drums.

Petter B - Voltage Controlled Time - Drumcode - DC131

Adam Beyer’s new EP titled ‘Teach Me’ is an accomplished piece of work that highlights Beyer's year thus far. 'Teach Me' starts with some eerie chords before the distinctive vocal kick in and the track drops into a rumbling techno track. ‘Darlek’ uses rhythmic beeps and huge synth stab to create a funky rhythm before the atmospheric pads create a beautiful setting for this incredible techno track. ‘Stop Talking’ is a deeper offering from Beyer using weird and unusual noises to create and interesting piece of work that is helped along by the throbbing bass underlying in the track. ‘Spaceman’ uses a rhythmic vocal, percussion and sub bass to turn this track into a funky techno piece.

Adam Beyer - Stop Talking - Drumcode - DC132

Luigi Madonna returns to Drumcode a year after his superb single ‘Primo’ using familiar hooks, huge stabs and monstrous drums that storm across the dance floor which, are common with Mr Madonna. The hard hitting raw vibe of this EP gives Luigi an edge, with fluttering high’s and saturated lows, Luigi’s tracks are a mainstay in all DJ sets. The EP encompasses different emotions throughout that can be felt within the track ‘Singer One’, offering a more mellow side to Luigi’s already expansive catalogue.

Luigi Madonna - Why Not - Drumcode - DC135

After appearing on our sister label Truesoul and also the A-sides Volume 2, dubspeeka releases his first full EP on Drumcode. Basing his sound heavily on his uniquely dark and twisted melodies, dubspeeka has created a brooding, atmospheric EP that capture each individual feeling on the techno scale from bouncing, energetic tracks to melancholic offerings. His use of Percussive sounds add energy to tracks such as Primary K290 and his array of eloquent lead lines add depth and character that can be heard on Primary K293.

dubspeeka - Primary K290 - Drumcode - DC137

Mr McKay is back on Drumcode with an EP that is very close to home, titled ‘Glasgow Safari’. Harvey has blended his synonymous synth stabs and vocal hooks together and has created another outstanding EP. The drums are fat and chunky as always and allow Harvey’s ideas to flow effortlessly over a solid foundation. The smooth use of dynamic throughout Harvey’s tracks also create impressive drops to add to another exceptional EP from Harvey.

Harvey McKay - Kill Switch - Drumcode - DC138

The Drumcode A-Sides compilation is quickly becoming synonymous within the techno world as a go to compilation for the hottest tracks that are deservedly A-side material in their own right. Each specific track has it own unique character that brings an outstanding and electrifying aspect to the compilation that as a whole makes it something extremely special. Mixing both highly experienced and new artists has helped to bring a new dimension to the compilation that makes it such a special array of tracks.

Skiver - Playing Games - Drumcode - DC142

Nicole Moudaber is a name we are used to hearing on the radar as a Drumcode artist and she is showing us what she can do on the funkier side of the spectrum with her new EP now landing on Truesoul. Both tracks merge her signature techno sound into something that still contains stacks of class and character. The evolving sounds in both tracks build tension and energy to create after hour burners.

techno

Leandro Agustin Lista