‘Scanning Backwards’, Phase Fatale's second full-length album following his 2017 debut album for Hospital Productions, is music about control. Using the connection between weaponized sound and psychological manipulation as a conceptual foundation, Hayden Payne explores the ways in which music – and sub frequencies in particular – are used to influence thinking and to synchronize emotions and behavior: from military technology to sound systems and the physicality and sexuality of queer techno culture.

Taken from: Phase Fatale | Scanning Backwards
out January 24, 2020 on Ostgut Ton [OSTGUTCD48/LP34]

Buy ‘Scanning Backwards’ as 2x12" LP, digipak CD or in digital formats: www.berghain.berlin/shop/releases/p…ning-backwards/

Listen at
Bandcamp: phasefatale.bandcamp.com/album/scanning-backwards
Boomkat: boomkat.com/products/scanning-backwards
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/4Vszky1GAU…n6RiW8aWAtQjwXyQ
YouTube: youtu.be/cfVE-Kz8dYc

Known for his innovative post-punk takes of dance music as featured on EPs for unterton and Ostgut Ton, the Berghain resident draws on his background as both a guitarist and sound engineer to create a heady mix of broken rhythms, noise-, and shoegaze-inflected techno, often at slower tempos. The result is music with space and pace to expand, highlighting the intense rushes of frequencies found in both sonic warfare and functional dance music. Over eight tracks named after a combination of historical and fictional narratives from literature and science fiction, Payne’s rhythmic excursions explore different manifestations of sound as power – specifically within the context of seeing Berghain as an instrument itself. This is also reflected in the album artwork, taken from an early flyer for the SNAX party series and an obvious ode to the fetishization of power dynamics.

In his own words: “All tracks on the album, no matter the style, were tailored to sound a certain way in Berghain – something I figured out through years of dancing in the middle of the floor, DJing as a resident and investigating what frequencies really penetrate the body. This includes speech and high-frequency, brain-penetrating instrumentation and drilling textures that I had not utilized so often before, but which I think also have an effect on thought and memory. It's especially true in a space where gay and fetish roots combine with music in unexpected ways, almost in a cultish manner. A musical and physical deprogramming and reprogramming, psychic driving and de-patterning, the erasing and replacing of memories.”

Ultimately, ‘Scanning Backwards’ surveys not only the manipulative properties of electronic music (mantras, loops, subliminal messages) but also how rhythm facilitates both moving and thinking in synchrony; a pulse of coordinated sound- and brainwaves.

Artwork: northor | Layout: Yusuf Etiman

Scanning Backwards | ostgutcd48/lp34

The New York native and Berlin-based BITE label founder has long made a name for himself as one of the main players on the heavy electronics arena. Berghain and Khidi resident with releases on labels like Jealous God, Ostgut Ton and unterton under his belt, Payne also is ½ of the Soft Crash duo with Pablo Bozzi.

‘Nailed To The Net’ is Phase Fatale’s first solo work on the label. The EP consists of five tracks canonical to Payne’s signature futuristic industrial style, including a remix by the interdisciplinary artist Rrose. Not deprived of romantic sensibility, and yet with punchy groove and heavy hitting arpeggiations, the record comes together as a flavourful mix of sci-fi-like electro, unsettling vocals, powerful industrial techno, and atmospheric guitar driven wave.

Written and produced by Hayden Payne aka Phase Fatale
Mastered by Alain Paul
Lacquer cut by Andreas Kauffelt
Artwork by Alex Gaidouk
Design by Eloise Leigh
Cat. No. BITE025 – All rights reserved
℗ & © BITE 2023

Nailed To The Net EP (BITE025)

Love Is Destructive EP (BITE032)

Characterised by a discernible signature of harmonious yet implicit tensions, DJ and producer Hayden Payne’s (aka Phase Fatale) contentious palette of both precise sonic and narrative elements shape his world of techno. Presenting his second EP of 2024, ‘Altars’, the BITE Label boss forecasts a confessional state looking onto a decomposing world through the perspective of frenetic energy, evolving polyrhythmic sequences and fleshy dancefloor vigour.

Built on a trifecta of three original productions, as well as two featured remixes from Kangding Ray and Setaoc Mass, the extended play is a walk through of Phase Fatale’s cadence for dancing around the structural framework of his tracks with superlative control, entwining rhythms from contrasting metres of electronic composition. Altars’ production of electric reverberation follows a trajectory of cybernetic kicks, stabs of short circuit zaps and heartbeat style drum loops embellished by the serene textures of euphoric gleams and sensual chords, augmenting a sonic motif of dystopian salvation.

The remixes fortify the body of works gritty soundscape with Kangding Ray’s complex sound aesthetics delivering a frantic buzz of sonic tachycardia and Setoac Mass’ experimental spliced shrapnel from the tracks origin creating murky, blizzard-like scatterings. Walking a fine line between themes of the divine and sacrilegious, Phase Fatale’s conscious composition of hedonistic, multi-layered techno and complex world-building narratives further emphasises his production's structure and geometry. 
credits
released November 1, 2024

Artwork by Duranite
Design by Eloise Leigh
Mastering by Conor Dalton

Altars EP (BITE034)

Mixes

Rasengan (BITE025)

Nailed To The Net (BITE025)

Snakepit (BITE025)

Desecrating Vows (Rrose Remix) BITE025

Phase Fatale - Desecrating Vows (BITE025)

Recorded live in Berlin / August 23rd, 2023

BITE Showcase // 23.08.23

Marking one year following Phase Fatale’s (aka Hayden Payne’s) last EP on his label BITE, ‘Love Is Destructive’ is a clear shift into true techno territories, integrated with his distinct curation of narrative and sonic framework, imprinted with a musical diet of sleek, synthesised storytelling.The 4-Track EP reflects the turbulent ebb-and-flow found with emotional conclusion - a genesis soundtracked by raw energy and driving undercurrents. The Berlin-based DJ, Producer and Label-owner’s propensity for creating a symbiotic harmony by blending seemingly divisive elements from his genre defying repertoire, demonstrates his masterful understanding and control of the listener’s borderless, auditory journey. Exemplified by his marathon closing sets at Berghain, as well as techno arenas such as Khidi in Tbilisi (both of which he is a resident), Phase Fatale’s recent DJ performances and production endeavours reflect his fresh approach to pure techno sensibilities. 

The title track sets the tone with imperative grooves, energetic vigour and intrepid attitude. Following a progression of techno propulsion in ‘Magma Driver’, infused metallic textures and trippy, headier elements add depth, whilst the body of work’s cutting edge sound design echoes spacey vivacity and purification in equal measures. Dichotomy comes forward with tracks ‘Ambivalence’ and ‘Introjection’, processed vocal samples with dub techno leanings and hints towards broken rhythms are sculpted by Payne’s focused approach, resonating a feeling of hopeful resolution akin to resurgence. These romantic sensibilities offset by cold mechanical nuances are reflected in the EP’s artwork, depicting roses against the backdrop of engine-like machinery.

‘Love Is Destructive’ is dedicated to Juan, Simone and Luis. Featuring artwork by Silent Editions.

Phase Fatale - Love Is Destructive (BITE032)

Nailed to the Net

Desecrating Vows (Rrose Remix)

Love Is Destructive

Shedding Skin

Crashed Communion (feat. Silent Servant)

Desecrating Vows

Rasengan

Buy here: https://biterecords.bandcamp.com/album/love-is-destructive 

Tracklist: 
A1. Love Is Destructive
A2. Magma Driver
B1. Ambivalence
B2. Introjection

Mastering by Conor Dalton
Artwork by Silent Editions
Design by Eloise Leigh
Special thanks to The Panacea
Cat. No. BITE032 – All rights reserved
℗ & © BITE 2024

Premiere: Phase Fatale - Ambivalence [BITE032]

HATE exclusive premiere.
Full streaming of the EP soon on our HATE Youtube channel

Support the label, buy it here:
https://biterecords.bandcamp.com/album/love-is-destructive

Artist: Phase Fatale
Title: Love Is Destructive
Label: BITE
Catalogue: BITE032
Format: 12" Vinyl / LP
Genre: Electronic
Style: Techno | EBM
Release date: April 19, 2024

Mastering by Conor Dalton
Artwork by Silent Editions
Design by Eloise Leigh
Special thanks to The Panacea

Tracklist:
1. Love Is Destructive 
2. Magma Driver
3. Ambivalence
4. Introjection

Follow #PhaseFatale here:
https://soundcloud.com/phasefatale
https://www.instagram.com/phasefatale/
https://www.facebook.com/phasefatalemusic

Follow #BITE here:
https://soundcloud.com/bitelabel
https://biterecords.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/bite_records

Marking one year following Phase Fatale’s (aka Hayden Payne’s) last EP on his label BITE, ‘Love Is Destructive’ is a clear shift into true techno territories, integrated with his distinct curation of narrative and sonic framework, imprinted with a musical diet of sleek, synthesised storytelling. The 4-Track EP reflects the turbulent ebb-and-flow found with emotional conclusion - a genesis soundtracked by raw energy and driving undercurrents. The Berlin-based DJ, Producer and Label-owner’s propensity for creating a symbiotic harmony by blending seemingly divisive elements from his genre defying repertoire, demonstrates his masterful understanding and control of the listener’s borderless, auditory journey. Exemplified by his marathon closing sets at Berghain, as well as techno arenas such as Khidi in Tbilisi (both of which he is a resident), Phase Fatale’s recent DJ performances and production endeavours reflect his fresh approach to pure techno sensibilities.

The title track sets the tone with imperative grooves, energetic vigour and intrepid attitude. Following a progression of techno propulsion in ‘Magma Driver’, infused metallic textures and trippy, headier elements add depth, whilst the body of work’s cutting edge sound design echoes spacey vivacity and purification in equal measures. Dichotomy comes forward with tracks ‘Ambivalence’ and ‘Introjection’, processed vocal samples with dub techno leanings and hints towards broken rhythms are sculpted by Payne’s focused approach, resonating a feeling of hopeful resolution akin to resurgence. These romantic sensibilities offset by cold mechanical nuances are reflected in the EP’s artwork, depicting roses against the backdrop of engine-like machinery.

‘Love Is Destructive’ is dedicated to Juan, Simone and Luis. Featuring artwork by Silent Editions. 


 ___
DISCLAIMER: All tracks are uploaded in a low quality for promotional purposes only and with buy links to respect labels and artists.

If either label, artist or third party copyright holder do not agree with their material being uploaded please contact us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hatecollective/
or via email: hatemusic1@gmail.com

Follow us on SOUNDCLOUD for exclusive podcast series:
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Follow us on INSTAGRAM for releases previews and news:
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Magma Driver

Premiere: Phase Fatale - Magma Driver [BITE032]

Introjection

Ambivalence

Characterised by a discernible signature of harmonious yet implicit tensions, DJ and producer Hayden Payne’s (aka @phasefatale ) contentious palette of both precise sonic and narrative elements shape his world of techno. Presenting his second EP of 2024, ‘Altars’, the BITE Label boss forecasts a confessional state looking onto a decomposing world through the perspective of frenetic energy, evolving polyrhythmic sequences and fleshy dancefloor vigour. 

Built on a trifecta of three original productions, as well as two featured remixes from Kangding Ray and Setaoc Mass, the extended play is a walk through of Phase Fatale’s cadence for dancing around the structural framework of his tracks with superlative control, entwining rhythms from contrasting metres of electronic composition. Altars’ production of electric reverberation follows a trajectory of cybernetic kicks, stabs of short circuit zaps and heartbeat style drum loops embellished by the serene textures of euphoric gleams and sensual chords, augmenting a sonic motif of dystopian salvation. 

The remixes fortify the body of works gritty soundscape with Kangding Ray’s complex sound aesthetics delivering a frantic buzz of sonic tachycardia and Setoac Mass’ experimental spliced shrapnel from the tracks origin creating murky, blizzard-like scatterings. Walking a fine line between themes of the divine and sacrilegious, Phase Fatale’s conscious composition of hedonistic, multi-layered techno and complex world-building narratives further emphasises his production's structure and geometry. 

Artwork by Duranite
Design by Eloise Leigh
Mastering by Conor Dalton

Phase Fatale - Neon Innocence (BITE034)

Neon Innocence

Buy link: https://biterecords.bandcamp.com/album/altars

Release Name: Altars
Track Title: Neon Innocence (Kangding Ray Remix)
Artist: Phase Fatale
Label: BITE
Catalog: BITE034
Release Date: November 1st, 2024
Format: Vinyl / Digital
Mastering: Conor Dalton
Artwork: Duranite
Tracklist: 
A1. Altars
A2. Neon Innocence
A3. Lament Configuration
B1. Neon Innocence (Kangding Ray Remix)
B2. Lament Configuration (Setaoc Mass Remix)

Artist SC/IG: https://soundcloud.com/phasefatale / https://www.instagram.com/phasefatale / https://www.instagram.com/kangding_ray/ / https://soundcloud.com/kangding-ray
Label SC/IG: https://soundcloud.com/bitelabel / https://www.instagram.com/bite_records/

Premiere: Phase Fatale - Neon Innocence (Kangding Ray Rmx)[BITE034]

Buy link: https://biterecords.bandcamp.com/album/altars

Release Name: Altars
Track Title: Altars
Artist: Phase Fatale
Label: BITE
Catalog: BITE034
Release Date: November 1st, 2024
Format: Vinyl / Digital
Mastering: Conor Dalton
Artwork: Duranite
Tracklist: 
A1. Altars
A2. Neon Innocence
A3. Lament Configuration
B1. Neon Innocence (Kangding Ray Remix)
B2. Lament Configuration (Setaoc Mass Remix)

Phase Fatale
https://soundcloud.com/phasefatale https://www.instagram.com/phasefatale

BITE
https://soundcloud.com/bitelabel https://www.instagram.com/bite_records/
________

RAW
Website: https://raw-people.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/rawppl
Bandcamp: https://rawppl.bandcamp.com
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/rawppl
Facebook: https://facebook.com/rawppl
Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/RAWppl
Spotify: https://spotify.link/KdBmfeIJdDb
Beatport: https://www.beatport.com/label/raw/89186
Telegram: https://t.me/rawpplaA

Buy link

Premiere: Phase Fatale - Altars [BITE034]

Altars

Neon Innocence (Kangding Ray Remix)

Lament Configuration (Setaoc Mass Remix)

Lament Configuration

Support here: https://biterecords.bandcamp.com/album/altars

Characterised by a discernible signature of harmonious yet implicit tensions, DJ and producer Hayden Payne’s (aka Phase Fatale) contentious palette of both precise sonic and narrative elements shape his world of techno. Presenting his second EP of 2024, ‘Altars’, the BITE Label boss forecasts a confessional state looking onto a decomposing world through the perspective of frenetic energy, evolving polyrhythmic sequences and fleshy dancefloor vigour. 

Built on a trifecta of three original productions, as well as two featured remixes from Kangding Ray and Setaoc Mass, the extended play is a walk through of Phase Fatale’s cadence for dancing around the structural framework of his tracks with superlative control, entwining rhythms from contrasting metres of electronic composition. Altars’ production of electric reverberation follows a trajectory of cybernetic kicks, stabs of short circuit zaps and heartbeat style drum loops embellished by the serene textures of euphoric gleams and sensual chords, augmenting a sonic motif of dystopian salvation. 

The remixes fortify the body of works gritty soundscape with Kangding Ray’s complex sound aesthetics delivering a frantic buzz of sonic tachycardia and Setoac Mass’ experimental spliced shrapnel from the tracks origin creating murky, blizzard-like scatterings. Walking a fine line between themes of the divine and sacrilegious, Phase Fatale’s conscious composition of hedonistic, multi-layered techno and complex world-building narratives further emphasises his production's structure and geometry. 
credits

PREMIERE: Phase Fatale - Lament Configuration (Setaoc Mass Remix) [BITE034]

This is the CLR Podcast 412 with a set by Phase Fatale. Enjoy!

Support the artist:
SC: @phasefatale
IG: www.instagram.com/phasefatale
FB: www.facebook.com/phasefatalemusic

Track list CLR Podcast 412 I Phase Fatale

Phase Fatale - Proxy Contact [Ostgut Ton]
Stenny - Hazy Grove [Ilian Tape]
Traversable Wormhole - Traversing The Asteroid Belt [CLR]
BLANKA - Tripping [SK_Eleven]
Isaiah - Circle K [Isaiah]
Exium - Synchro [Nheoma]
RNGD - Parte De Lo Que Me Debes [Children Of Tomorrow]
Neo (AU) - Erradicate [Hayes]
Chlär - Fortress Of Illusion [Primal Instinct]
Oscar Mulero - Reestructuración Regresiva [Warm Up]
Klint - Falcon [Planet Rhythm]
JSPRV35 - Trapped [Tar Hallow]
Nørbak - Sismado [Falling Ethics]
Hollen - Underlying Pressure [Sway]
Deas - Maniac [CLR]
Yan Cook - Eyes Adjust To The Dark [Arts]
Phase Fatale - Neon Innocence (Kangding Ray Remix) [BITE]
Tommy Four Seven - Aphelion (Silent Servant Remix) [47]
Drumcell - Departing Comfort (Planetary Assault Systems Remix) [CLR]
Sandwell District - Hidden [Point Of Departure]
Black Scorpion - Natron [ESP]
Emmanuel Top - Turkish Bazar (Chris Liebing Remake) [CLR]

CLR Podcast 412 I Phase Fatale

Bridging together the future faces of techno with some of the legends in the scene, our big return to Warsaw features Chris Liebing b2b Luke Slater, Sept b2b Umut Sefiloglu, Phase Fatale and ANNĒ.

TRACKLIST

Phase Fatale | Boiler Room: Warsaw

Phase Fatale
https://soundcloud.com/phasefatale
https://www.instagram.com/phasefatale

Follow

RAWCAST259 • Phase Fatale

At the intersection of techno's industrial past and its avant-garde future stands Phase Fatale, the Berlin-based project of Hayden Payne. A resident at both Berghain and KHIDI, Payne channels his roots in New York's post-punk and EBM scenes into a sound that's precisely engineered for the deepest corners of the dancefloor. 

Since emerging in 2014, Phase Fatale has been pivotal in reshaping the contours of modern techno. His releases on labels like Ostgut Ton, Jealous God, and Hospital Productions showcase a commitment to sonic exploration, blending dense atmospheres with rhythmic precision. His 2020 album, Scanning Backwards, was specifically engineered for Berghain's acoustics, reflecting his deep connection to the club's sonic environment.

Beyond his productions, Payne co-founded the BITE label in 2018, aiming to platform artists operating outside conventional techno paradigms. With a roster that includes both emerging talents and established names, BITE has become a beacon for those seeking the fringes of electronic music

In this milestone 250th podcast, Phase Fatale delivers a mix that encapsulates his sonic ethos: a fusion of industrial textures with post-punk, and techno's relentless drive. It's a cinematic journey through the shadows, illuminated by his distinctive sound design and narrative depth.

Immerse yourself in #250.

Artwork by @ankhsious

Vault Sessions #250 - Phase Fatale

Wrapping up July with a ballistic transmission, Berghain and Khidi resident Hayden Payne aka Phase Fatale punches in with two hours of genre-busting material, ebbing and flowing between surgical rhythmic assault and shape-shifting oneirism. Responsible for a handful of memorable platters on the likes of OSTGUT TON, Jealous God and his own imprint, BITE, Payne delivers a masterclass in laser-like DJing and ambient-scaping, pushing back the limits of techno as a vessel for emotional introspection and wordless communication. Taking us on a captivating ride across slow-evolving, finessed sonic reliefs, mind-expanding grooves and machine-told musings of the soul, Phase Fatale dazzles and subjugates. True to his ever high-flying standards and impeccable touch, a mix that shall leave you gobsmacked. Don’t sleep.

soundcloud.com/phasefatale

Reclaim Your City 654 | Phase Fatale

From the upcoming "Redeemer" LP (HOS-494) to be released October 2017 on Hospital Productions

Spoken Ashes

From the upcoming "Redeemer" LP (HOS-494) to be released October 13th, 2017 on Hospital Productions

Redeemer MP3

Order Of Severity

Redeemer

Beast

Operate Within

Human Shield

from the Redeemer Extended Mixes 12" on Hospital Productions out November 2nd, 2017. Additional production by Silent Servant.

Tracklist:
A1. Order Of Severity (Extended Mix)
B1. Operate Within (Extended Mix)
B2. Spoken Ashes (Extended Mix)

Redeemer Extended Mixes

Spoken Ashes (Extended Mix)

https://secretthirteen.org/stm-260-phase-fatale/

Phase Fatale - Secret Thirteen Mix 260

‘Scanning Backwards’, @PhaseFatale’s second full-length album following his 2017 debut album for Hospital Productions, is music about control. Using the connection between weaponized sound and psychological manipulation as a conceptual foundation, Hayden Payne explores the ways in which music – and sub frequencies in particular – are used to influence thinking and to synchronize emotions and behavior: from military technology to sound systems and the physicality and sexuality of queer techno culture.

Taken from:  Phase Fatale | Scanning Backwards
out January 24, 2020 on Ostgut Ton [OSTGUTCD48/LP34]

Buy ‘Scanning Backwards’ as 2x12" LP, digipak CD or in digital formats: https://www.berghain.berlin/shop/releases/phase-fatale-scanning-backwards/

Listen at
Bandcamp: https://phasefatale.bandcamp.com/album/scanning-backwards
Boomkat: https://boomkat.com/products/scanning-backwards
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4Vszky1GAUnME7GqMJJVkB?si=eV6nkqn6RiW8aWAtQjwXyQ
YouTube: https://youtu.be/cfVE-Kz8dYc

Known for his innovative post-punk takes of dance music as featured on EPs for unterton and Ostgut Ton, the Berghain resident draws on his background as both a guitarist and sound engineer to create a heady mix of broken rhythms, noise-, and shoegaze-inflected techno, often at slower tempos. The result is music with space and pace to expand, highlighting the intense rushes of frequencies found in both sonic warfare and functional dance music. Over eight tracks named after a combination of historical and fictional narratives from literature and science fiction, Payne’s rhythmic excursions explore different manifestations of sound as power – specifically within the context of seeing Berghain as an instrument itself. This is also reflected in the album artwork, taken from an early flyer for the SNAX party series and an obvious ode to the fetishization of power dynamics.

In his own words: “All tracks on the album, no matter the style, were tailored to sound a certain way in Berghain – something I figured out through years of dancing in the middle of the floor, DJing as a resident and investigating what frequencies really penetrate the body. This includes speech and high-frequency, brain-penetrating instrumentation and drilling textures that I had not utilized so often before, but which I think also have an effect on thought and memory. It's especially true in a space where gay and fetish roots combine with music in unexpected ways, almost in a cultish manner. A musical and physical deprogramming and reprogramming, psychic driving and de-patterning, the erasing and replacing of memories.”

Ultimately, ‘Scanning Backwards’ surveys not only the manipulative properties of electronic music (mantras, loops, subliminal messages) but also how rhythm facilitates both moving and thinking in synchrony; a pulse of coordinated sound- and brainwaves.


Artwork: northor | Layout: Yusuf Etiman

Scanning Backwards

Buy Album

Phase Fatale | Binding by Oath

‘Scanning Backwards’, @PhaseFatale’s second full-length album following his 2017 debut album for Hospital Productions, is music about control. Using the connection between weaponized sound and psychological manipulation as a conceptual foundation, Hayden Payne explores the ways in which music – and sub frequencies in particular – are used to influence thinking and to synchronize emotions and behavior: from military technology to sound systems and the physicality and sexuality of queer techno culture.

Taken from:  Phase Fatale | Scanning Backwards
out January 24, 2020 on Ostgut Ton [OSTGUTCD48/LP34]

Buy ‘Scanning Backwards’ as 2x12" LP, digipak CD or in digital formats: https://www.berghain.berlin/shop/releases/phase-fatale-scanning-backwards/

Listen at
Bandcamp: https://phasefatale.bandcamp.com/album/scanning-backwards
Boomkat: https://boomkat.com/products/scanning-backwards
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4Vszky1GAUnME7GqMJJVkB?si=eV6nkqn6RiW8aWAtQjwXyQ
YouTube: https://youtu.be/cfVE-Kz8dYc

Known for his innovative post-punk takes of dance music as featured on EPs for unterton and Ostgut Ton, the Berghain resident draws on his background as both a guitarist and sound engineer to create a heady mix of broken rhythms, noise-, and shoegaze-inflected techno, often at slower tempos. The result is music with space and pace to expand, highlighting the intense rushes of frequencies found in both sonic warfare and functional dance music. Over eight tracks named after a combination of historical and fictional narratives from literature and science fiction, Payne’s rhythmic excursions explore different manifestations of sound as power – specifically within the context of seeing Berghain as an instrument itself. This is also reflected in the album artwork, taken from an early flyer for the SNAX party series and an obvious ode to the fetishization of power dynamics.

In his own words: “All tracks on the album, no matter the style, were tailored to sound a certain way in Berghain – something I figured out through years of dancing in the middle of the floor, DJing as a resident and investigating what frequencies really penetrate the body. This includes speech and high-frequency, brain-penetrating instrumentation and drilling textures that I had not utilized so often before, but which I think also have an effect on thought and memory. It's especially true in a space where gay and fetish roots combine with music in unexpected ways, almost in a cultish manner. A musical and physical deprogramming and reprogramming, psychic driving and de-patterning, the erasing and replacing of memories.”

Ultimately, ‘Scanning Backwards’ surveys not only the manipulative properties of electronic music (mantras, loops, subliminal messages) but also how rhythm facilitates both moving and thinking in synchrony; a pulse of coordinated sound- and brainwaves.

Artwork: northor | Layout: Yusuf Etiman

Phase Fatale | Mass Deception

Phase Fatale | During the Freezing Process

Phase Fatale | Polystyrene

Phase Fatale | Velvet Imprints

Berghain and Khidi resident
@bitelabel head
Ostgut Ton | BITE | Jealous God
Booking: chris@elitemm.co.uk

Emerging as Phase Fatale in 2014, Berlin-based DJ, producer and label owner, Hayden Payne is rewriting the discourse of Techno with his cross-pollination of gnarly basslines, sensual narratives and mind-control mechanics. Demonstrating his vision through an authentic, highly curated sonic-lens of techno, the New York native’s rhythmic excursions draw on his roots in the underground scenes of his respective cities as well as his reputable experience performing to dancefloors globally. Exemplified by long-standing tenures as a resident for esteemed institutions such as Berlin’s Berghain as well as KHIDI in Georgia's capital Tbilisi, Payne demonstrates a resolute understanding of harnessing club synergy across his productions and DJ sets.

With three full length albums under his belt, including the 2020 sophomore release ‘Scanning Backwards’ on Berghain’s imprint Ostgut Ton, Payne’s sonic signature pushes the boundaries of techno sensibilities and reflects the zeitgeist whilst staying true to his own vision. Wasting no time since his solo project’s inception to showcase his expert sonic ability, Payne has toured throughout Europe performing at renowned clubs and festivals worldwide, releasing numerous records on labels including Jealous God, Ostgut Ton, and his own label BITE.

Payne launched the BITE imprint in 2018 as a means to platform cutting-edge sound production across a diverse roster of international artists. Along with fellow Soft Crash protagonist Pablo Bozzi pioneering ‘Italo Body Music’, BITE’s seminal synthesis of curated techno solidifies the label as a tour de force taste-maker within electronic music with showcases worldwide including Berghain and their 5 year anniversary compilation ‘Shedding Skin’ in 2023.

Hailing from post-punk roots, Payne draws on his depth of musical knowledge and multitude of influences. His merging of nuanced references and high concept narratives remain geared towards the dancefloor at its core, subtleties of his multifarious sonic palette act as the foundations for his layered wall of sound.

Phase Fatale

Pinned to spotlight

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