Intelligent Serenity

god, grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change, courage to change the things i can, and wisdom to know the difference.
(reinhold niebuhr: the prayer of serenity)

the_empath, aka mike erkau, has been part of electronic music since 1993 and he started releasing his own work on cdrs in 1999. shortly after he began to do remixes for other artists and won the 2004 congress of media award in the audio category. the award was for his remix of 'no protection' (originally by utr). four years later he turned the tables by releasing the 'second earth remix project' which included remixes of his work by ab ovo, def, fractional, heimstatt yipotash, sunao inami and others (more info: www.subroom.com/second%20earth.html) . at the same time as an media engineer and tutor, mike was able to acquire advanced technical skills in video technology. his live appearances are always combined with a video performance which is strictly balanced to the tracks (a good example is consider:noize and elektroanschlag). since 2005 he has been working as a video composer and vj for xabec (aka manuel g. richter; who also mastered the_empath's first album on hymen records: meanwhile).

this album was recorded over the last five years and demonstrates the_empath's current state. the music was not created to exist in an isolated artistic vacuum - each track was made as a result of specific thoughts, meanings and impressions. this is not art for art's sake. a sampling of items that made this album possible: technology turning from today's state-of-the-art to tomorrow's future space junk, arbitrary anxiety of imperfectness, burdens of the past which are only visible to adepts, an imaginary image of ultima thule (a place located beyond the borders of the known world), a score to fictitious thriller.
however this is just sampling of what meanwhile is about.

the_empath's music ranges between ambient and electronica with organic industrial audio components. a stimulating flow of imaginative soundscapes, complex rhythmic textures, mixtures of experimental electronics, field recordings and ground loops. crystal clear tones meet thrilling low frequencies that are mastered with an impressive amount of dynamics. the result of this electronic crucible is a powerful mind infiltrating compound - devotees of intelligent electronics will be reminded (in concept - this is not a derivative work) of early autechre, beefcake and gridlock. in short, fans of good music will take a shine to mike erkau's work. enjoy!

Y784 Meanwhile - 01 at the heart of it all

HYBRID ELECTRONICS - electronica, ambient, experimentell, industrial

http://www.discogs.com/Various-Sonic-Seducer-Cold-Hands-Seduction-Vol-163/release/6703605

http://www.subroom.com/

nwo hindsight (Sonic Seducer Cold Hands 163 - 2015)

HYBRID ELECTRONICS - electronica, ambient, experimentell, industrial

http://www.discogs.com/Various-Elektroanschlag-3/release/942350

http://www.discogs.com/sell/item/20771692

http://www.subroom.com/

home and dry (Elektroanschlag 3 - 2007)

Full album → https://goo.su/0XznRg
Artist: Kosaa
Title: Be A Drag
Format: Digital 
Catalogue: DRSS1256
Tracklist:  
1. Piccolo
2. Turn Me On
3. Sweat - Kosaa & DLM
4. Be A Drag
5. El Alma Se Mueve, El Cuerpo Sigue - Kosaa & DLM
6. Fired
7.  Dusty Run

www.diffusereality.net 
linktr.ee/diffusereality

Kosaa - Be A Drag

Martin L Gore - Featherlight [weightless remix by the_empath]

Currently celebrating 20 years of exploits and shenanigans, Enemy Records is back with a 4- track various artists EP featuring label-owner Dustin Zahn, Viels, Slone, and K.U.S.S. “IMMOLATION” exists as the spiritual successor of Enemy’s previous 4-track V.A., “BREAK A FANCY VASE.” The result is four infectious club tracks designed for optimal damage.

Zahn starts off with “Surrender the Body,” a deep narrative-focused roller designed especially for late night party people dealing with a lot of internal dialogue going on. If the meditative vocals are too much, he also supplies an alternative instrumental version, like any proper vocal club track should have!

Slone’s “Throttled” is a heads down minimalistic roller expertly filled with tension. These moments of tension break with in-your-face synth work sprinkled in at just the right moments, leading to massive responses on the dance floor.

Parisian producer K.U.S.S finally makes his label debut with “Encounter,” a polyrhythmic percussive workout that functions as a perfect tool for working DJs. The track features the perfect balance of sci-fi elements and club functionality.

Viels finishes off the EP with “Nessun Battito.” Viels combines dreamy call-and-response hooks with steady yet crafty 909 workouts to build a perfect introspective-leaning vibe that still works great at peak time.

Written & Produced by: Dustin Zahn, Edward Jones, Louis Kuss, Massimiliano Viganò
Mastered by: Glowcast
Art Design by: Jacob Gardner
Distributed by: N.E.W.S.

GTG Premiere | Dustin Zahn - Surrender the Body [NME015]

Track: Drained
Artist: Lakej
Label: SOMA Records
Catalogue: SOMA692D
Format: Digital
Genre: Electronic
Style: Techno
Release Date: 31.10.2025
Mastering: Conor Dalton @ Glowcast Mastering

Tracklist:
1. Story Line
2. Need To Act
3. Drained
4. In Position

Artist links:
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lakej
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakej_solitar

Label links:
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/soma
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somarecords/


VARIA PREMIERE: Lakej - Drained [SOMA692D]

Support the label:  https://freresrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dark-light

Track title: Bloom
Artist: Butwho 
Release date: 31.10.2025
Format: Digital
Label: FRERES RECORDINGS

Youtube Premiere: https://youtu.be/Wd1MtI85Bms

OECUS Premiere | Butwho - Bloom [FRS013]

Premiere of Altinbas - Epinephrine [SK11X10Y]

BUY: https://www.skeleven.bandcamp.com

Artist: Altinbas
Title: Epinephrine
Label: SK_eleven
Catalogue: SK11X10Y
Release date: 07.11.2025

ARTIST LINKS
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/altinbas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/altinbas.t

LABEL LINKS:
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sk_eleven
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sk_eleven_11
Bandcamp: https://www.skeleven.bandcamp.com

Altinbas - Epinephrine [SOMA SELECTS Premiere]

Duplicity 145 | @aidanruddmusic

We are super excited to present the 145th episode from Aidan Rudd!

Aidan Rudd is a Naarm-based Hypnotic Techno producer and DJ. Starting out in Hardgroove, his sound evolved into darker, loop-driven techno shaped by heavy sound design while maintaining a focus on groove. His tracks have been released on respected labels like Transition, Duplicity, Obscuur, and Suara, with support from Dax J, Chlar, Alarico, Richie Hawtin, Yanamaste and more. Known for layered multi-deck sets, Aidan has played across Australia and is steadily building his presence in the global techno scene.

Keep your eyes peeled for Aidan Rudd's Necromancer EP dropping on Duplicity in November, with remixes from Connor Wall and Obscur!

As usual, turn up the volume and enjoy the mix!
---
You can check out more from our guest here: 
 @aidanruddmusic

Instagram:
www.instagram.com/aidanruddmusic
---
Check out our other podcasts and socials here:  
soundcloud.com/duplicityedinburgh/sets/duplicity-podcast-series

Instagram:  
www.instagram.com/duplicityrecords

Bandcamp:
www.duplicityrecords.bandcamp.com/

Duplicity 145 | Aidan Rudd

Support here: https://somovrecords.bandcamp.com/album/smv013

British techno veteran Justin Berkovi joins Somov with three timeless recordings that bridge pounding minimalism and emotive ambience. Cemented in the 90s history books Berkovi's sound lives on as always with timeless energy and emotive power. Adding to the release, label head Ignez contributes a remix of ‘Step Up’.

PREMIERE: Justin Berkovi - Red Dawn [SMV013]

Buy/Stream

Fixon - Instructions - Hardgroove


[INSTINKTLAB023]
FORMAT: Vinyl + Digital
RELEASEDATE: 2025.11.28

BUY:
https://instinktlab.bandcamp.com/album/instinktlab023

FOLLOW:
https://soundcloud.com/juriheidemann

Following his debut on our platform in 2021, our dear friend Juri Heidemann now returns to the label with our very first vinyl release, INSTINKTLAB023. Over time, his sound has evolved into a clear and distinctive signature, embodying modern, purposeful techno as it is perceived and defined in 2025. This release marks a milestone for both our label and our friendship.

Artwork by Darwin Wagner
Mastered by Leon Bölting @ Arclab Mastering Studios 


Premiere: Juri Heidemann - Contours Controlled [INSTINKTLAB023]

Support here: https://sublunarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fading-trails

Cirkle - Fading Trails - SUBL025

A1 - Silent Rage
A2 - Beaten II
B1 - Machina
B2 - Fading Trails
DIGI - Lightshifter

Sciahri’s label, Sublunar, is proud to welcome back one of its familiar faces — Cirkle — with his new EP, "Fading Trails".
Known for his unmistakable sound, Cirkle continues to blend classic and modern techno elements in a way that cements his place as one of the most distinctive producers in the scene.

The EP opens with “Silent Rage”, a powerful and hypnotic track driven by infectious vocals and intense energy. Next comes “Beaten II”, the follow-up to one of his most celebrated work a dark, epic journey that pulls you deep into its atmosphere.

On the flip side, “Machina” explores a minimal but heavy low-end territory, showcasing precision and raw groove at its finest. Finally, “Fading Trails” delivers a deep and emotional trip, its arrangement guiding the mind into another dimension a true standout piece.

The digital version includes “Lightshifter”, a striking blend of power and dub-infused textures that perfectly closes an EP destined to stand the test of time.

Cirkle - Fading Trails - SUBL025

Hatikvah - Synchronicity (SomaCD086)

1.	 Big Mind
2.	 Synchronicity
3.	 Unforgettable
4.	 Zen 
5.	 Modern Times
6.	 Introduce Me
7.	 Daedalus
8.	 Beneath
9.	 In The Spirit
10.	 Spend Some Time

The production team of Florian Schirmacher and Helmut Ebritsch are weathered veterans of the vast electronic field. Florian’s production history covers many bases and collaborations, having started with Guido Schneider under the Glowing Glisses alias for his 2003 debut album, Silver Surfer, on Berlin’s Poker Flat imprint. Since then he has founded Wareika, Federleicht, Here Today and of course Hatikvah working with labels like Cadenza, Vakant, Liebe Detail, Buzzin Fly and Morris Audio to name but a few. Helmut is also one half the acclaimed Klartaum outfit, along with Nadja Lind. His solid contributions to the Klartraum releases have pushed them from strength to strength over the course of their productions. Helmut, also known throughout the electronic world for his skilful mastering technique, balances this duo with complete precision. Both artists work on lyrics and production, but the signing is left solely to Florian.  Their sound is distinctly dub influenced, yet balances the soulful edge of the lyrics and chords with the dance-floor framed beats – a clever and fascinating combination, that allows them create their own spiritual dimension to a view of their idealistic future. 

Synchronicity opens with Big Mind, a murky and introverted overture to Hatikvah’s debut album. Deeply dubby and mellow throughout, washing pads mingle happily with gentile chords and wandering percussion. Set on the sea front it paints a picture of serenity, thought and evaluation – asking questions of the Big Heart and Big Mind, the conection between the two and the balance in their production of sound and soul. Both are present and validated in Big Mind. The album title track, Synchronicity, sings soul from its depths. Heavyweight sub-sonics rise from the bass and warmth emanates from the delicate and understated synth work, allowing Florian’s profound, yet wanting lyrics to glide through with ease along with the cries of the evening Lark – fly away with me. At a mammoth thirteen and a half minutes long, Unforgettable is anything but. A sombre and heartfelt tale of lost love treads a meandering path through jazz influenced keys and chords. A higher tempo than previous outings, the pace is kept with clever and intuitive sequence changes that are subtle and soft on the ear. Zen then takes the tempo down and with it the heart rate. Great delays carry the keys and percussive elements off way in to the distance, creating a rich sonic environment from which slight and dainty percussion emerges. 

Modern Times is given a complete refurbishment from the track originally released on the Suol imprint. Being one of the more dance-floor orientated tracks on the album, it carries solid rhythm, but retains a deep feeling found throughout the Synchronicity album. Following on, Introduce Me steps things up a gear and grows intensity. Daedalus brings us back down to earth with a beautifully crafted and emotive piece of music which brings playful connotations of lullabies and slumber through Florian’s solo Rhodes play. Beneath brings a combination of optimistic chords and vocals that sit amongst intelligent percussion and fx use. In The Spirit, the first single from the album, which includes Deepchord remixes, has a slightly more aggressive and rasping bass. Whispered vocals add more of a rhythmic effect than in previous tracks and allow space in the mix where everything has its place. Possibly the busiest track on the album, Spend Some Time brings close with layered vocals, guitars and several basslines. Together, it blends perfectly.

An album that is deep and intense in places, yet greenly optimistic in others, Hatikvah’s Synchronicity is undoubtedly one of the LP highlights of 2010.




Hatikvah - Synchronicity

One of the world's leading electronic dance labels, and one of the longest running. We have been putting out great music since 1991. Co-founded by Slam.

Hatikvah - Synchronicity

Soma Records

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