Drumcode👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Foremost international techno outlet Drumcode is delighted to announce the release of its next full-length album, ‘Satellite’, by enduring Italian techno talent Sam Paganini.

Though he has been active since the mid nineties, recent years have been hugely successful for Sam, with searing techno EPs coming on revered labels such as Riche Hawtin’s Plus8, Sven Vath’s Cocoon and of course, Adam Beyer’s Drumcode. In his time he has been responsible for underground hits like ‘Zoe’, ‘Polyester’ and ‘Fire In My Arms’, all of which demonstrate his dynamic understanding of sexy, dark and hypnotic techno grooves and at the same time have earned him plenty of great Beatport chart positions as well as respect from the best in the game.

Incredibly, ‘Satellite’ is Sam’s first full-length album. Informed by his DJ gigs at legendary places like Berghain in Berlin and Cielo in New York, the album starts with a dystopian bit of sonic scene setting, as if a space ship is charging up ready to take off.

From there it’s a case of getting straight down to business. ‘Another Chance’ is a spacey bit of cantering techno and ‘White’ is rooted in devastating kick drums and is riddled with serrated synth lines that build lots of great techno pressure. ‘Down’ is an undulating bit of funky techno complete with choice vocal flourishes and tracks like ‘Lotus’ are prime offerings from the deeper end of the scale.

No two tracks sound the same on Satellite: Sam is always teasing out a new bit of texture, nailing a slightly different vibe or exploring different amounts of light and dark throughout the course of this most excellent album. This is evidenced by diverse cuts like ‘Dusty’, ‘Toxic’ and ‘Rave’.

Despite ‘Satellite’ being Sam’s debut album, it showcases his seductive style in all its glory across 12 fantastic tracks that will leave you begging for more.

Sam Paganini - Rave - Drumcode - DCCD10



A great philosopher (Samuel Johnson, not Ebeneezer Goode) once wrote… “our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks”. While it would be a stretch to suggest the Drumcode artist roster are closet philosophy fans, once one begins to unravel the tale that led to Jel Ford remixing the 2012 Alan Fitzpatrick hit ‘For An Endless Night’ and it is impossible to escape the unexpected enterprise and spirit of surprise that are at the heart of this exciting collaboration.

As fans of Adam Beyer’s label will testify, the two Drumcode names have more in common than just a label stable, they also share common ground with the peak-time melodic sound that has delivered many of the labels most memorable output. Ford being a much more recent addition than Fitzpatrick, whose history with the seminal Swedish imprint stretches back to 2009, however Ford’s history within techno goes back even further having released multiple EP’s through the early noughties on vintage UK techno labels including Dave Angel’s Rotation Records, Billy Nasty’s Tortured Records, Primate Recordings and Ford’s own Jericho imprint.

It is within this shared passion for uplifting synths and big room melodies that the ‘unexpected spark’ of creativity that led to Ford remixing Fitzpatrick can be found. An long-time admirer of Fitzpatrick’s work, Ford had developed an idea for his alternative version and secretly worked on the remix long before any discussion of the project had taken place. Once given the draft version, Fitzpatrick immediately endorsed the remix, excited to have an updated version to breath new life into what had become a familiar staple of his sets for the past two years. Parts were swapped and the end result being the barnstorming end-of-night monster presented here. A track that will be familiar with many having been the subject of much social-media furor since it first surfaced back in Autumn 2014.


For An Endless Night (Jel Ford Remix)

DC140 For An Endless Night (Jel Ford Remix)[Drumcode]

Featuring heavily on most of Drumcode’s shows due to his impeccable DJ’ing, Bart Skils is back with a new EP flexing his signature rolling sound and hooks. Caressing from one track to another, the use of pads in this EP and using uneasy sounds to build tension in each track. The swelling bass within each track manoeuvres the tracks into dark after hour’s territory with the help of the subtle percussion.

Bart Skils - Lost Boys - Drumcode - DC143

Bart Skils - The Sweep - Drumcode - DC143

Italy’s fastest rising name in house and techno returns to the respected Drumcode imprint with this blistering new 4-track EP, ‘Climax’. Featuring a distinctive vocal sample crescending over a typically thumping bassline, opening lead track ‘Climax’ grows gradually with the introduction of a single synth note and skipping hi-hats. Two beatless breakdowns increase the pressure whilst a new synth melody is introduced in the second, making for a powerful ending as all the elements join together.

‘Boost’ starts out deep and dark, with a high-pitched call echoing over a determined beat. The track changes course mid-way through with the introduction of a bassy, low-pitched synth melody, helping ‘Boost’ evolve into a catchier, more playful track.

‘Spectre’, a no-nonsense closing piece featuring a jittering synth note, rattling hi-hats and a trademark tension-filled breakdown.
‘Over The Clouds’, as its name would suggest, is the gentlest of the four tracks. Filled with dusty textures over a rumbling bassline, twinkling synths move in waves before lower-pitched chords join, adding a real sense of depth to this production.

Overall, ‘Climax’ is an outstanding example of Faraone’s ear for detail as a producer: his experience as both a resident and touring DJ clearly feeds into his skill for manipulating tension in his productions like he does on the dancefloors. Having recently warmed up for Adam Beyer at Tenax, Marco Faraone’s relationship with the iconic label continues to grow.

Marco Faraone - Climax - Drumcode - DC154

Dense & Pika’s latest Drumcode release comes in the shape of a heavy four track EP, ‘Calf EP’. The four tracks showcase Dense & Pika’s signature industrial and dynamic style, each track bringing its own unique sound to the release whilst being unified by the sledgehammer intensity throughout. The release is laden with sporadic vocals, clanking samples and serious kick drums throughout - another heavy hitting, ear whipping release from Dense & Pika.

Dense & Pika - Drag N' Drop - Drumcode - DC155

Adam Beyer’s Drumcode juggernaut attracts more fans and critical plaudits with each passing year. Holding firm on its future facing ethos, techno’s number one label presents a new volume in its acclaimed A-Sides series with 20 prime tracks to signify its 20th anniversary. 

Such is the volume of quality music Adam Beyer receives throughout the course of the year, releasing all of it would be impossible. Enter the blue chip A-Sides series: a chance for the quality-obsessive label head to issue a collection of outstanding tracks that couldn’t fit in their regular EP release schedule. 

With an eye on future talent, as much as the label’s established roster of heavy-hitters, the compilation showcases the full breadth of Drumcode’s multifaceted techno sound, equal parts inspiring and functional. 

Led by the stealth techno funk of ‘Nine of You’, Beyer’s deft collaboration with Mark Reeve, the compilation takes in exciting highlights from big guns such as Alan Fitzpatrick, Dustin Zahn, Bart Skils, Pleasurekraft, Luca Agnelli, Jay Lumen, Kaiserdisco and Gary Beck. 

The rich vein of form displayed by emerging techno talent is similarly given prime position. Rising DJ/producer Boxia makes his Drumcode debut, fresh from a well-received warm up set for the crew at the hugely successful Junction 2 festival in London, while the likes of Enrico Sangiuliano, Juan Sanchez, Ian O’Donovan and Timmo also drop fire, establishing their credentials as some of the most promising talent breaking through the ranks in 2016. 

Reinforcing the global scope of the label, artists such as The Junkies from Toronto and Layton Giordani from New York, prove techno is winning a place in the heart of the new generation of artists coming out of North America. 

Pleasurekraft - Dopefiend - Drumcode - DC159

Sam Paganini makes his return to Drumcode after his chart topping album ‘Satellite’ with a four track, pounding EP. ‘The Beat’, is crammed with thudding drums, reverberated vocals and floaty synth lines. The EP, packed with tantalising synths and explosive drops, will ignite any dance floor.  

Sam Paganini - Flow - Drumcode - DC162

Sam Paganini - Surrender - Drumcode - DC162

Up first is Get Enough, seven minutes of seductive techno that has an almost machine-gun like disco synth firing across the groove. It is a rumbling peak time track with real force and energy that will bring any floor to life. The title track, Toleranz, is a gritty and stripped back basement cut with dry hits and burrowing acid bass that takes you deep into the night. Cobra then proves this pair have real breadth in the studio and is a barrel chested house cut with more big hits, rib rattling bass and incendiary techno hi hats that really get you on your toes. Remixing are the tech duo of Pleasurekraft, whose releases on Octopus and Mood Records have won them plenty of DJ and dancing fans. They layer in some dark melodies to SQ80 and build it steadily before allowing the militant drums and crisp snares to explode and drive you and the whole club forwards.

Kaiserdisco  - Toleranz - Drumcode - DC163

Kaiserdisco - Get Enough - Drumcode - DC163

Moby is a name synonymous with us all in the electronic music world and we are lucky enough to have been able to hand select some Drumcode artists to remix his work. This 9 track package included remixes from Enrico Sangiuliano, Dense & Pika, Bart Skils, Alan Fitzpatrick, Marco Faraone, Tiger Stripes, Manic Brothers and Luca Agnelli. Each one has been thought out and accomplished with precision using some of Moby’s synonymous samples.

The Remixes

Moby - Go (Manic Brothers remix) - Drumcode - DC164

Moby - Natural Blues (Dense & Pika remix) - Drumcode - DC164

Moby - Porcelain (Alan Fitzpatrick’s late night dub) - Drumcode - DC164

When Pig&Dan decided to join forces, they began a truly prolific production schedule establishing their reputation as producers of pulsating electronic music that straddled dark house and high-energy techno, whilst creating their signature style of twisted and experimental breakdowns. Since those early days, they have created a repertoire that not many can match and have constantly been releasing their music on the most respected labels and playing at the best events worldwide.

Pig&Dan follow up to their outstanding first EP on Drumcode with ‘Chemistry’. Compromising of three tracks the mood fluctuates with each record to create a well-balanced, dynamic EP. Chemistry is a dreamy listening platform that mixes cyclic synth lines and stabs to crescendo into a late night imagination. The other two tracks are on the harder tip with their thunderous kick drums and disorientated sounds that provide a different edge to the EP with a harder, peak time sound.

Pig&Dan - Devotion - Drumcode - DC165

Pig&Dan - Ukraine - Drumcode - DC165

Pig&Dan - Chemistry - Drumcode - DC165

Highlighting sets everywhere from Awakenings during ADE to Spazio 900 in Rome, the tracks are hard-hitting master studies in industrial-edged techno.  ‘Future’ is a chunky stomper perfect for the winter warehouse party season, as multi-layered synths and effects rub shoulders with heavy-set drums to ensure this one hits its target.

Adam Beyer Vs Dense & Pika - Future - Drumcode - DC166

Highlighting sets everywhere from Awakenings during ADE to Spazio 900 in Rome, the tracks are hard-hitting master studies in industrial-edged techno. ‘Going Down’ is built around a deep menacing vocal, as subterranean bass drums, thundering kicks and a sinister synth line combine for a high impact finish. ‘Future’ is a chunky stomper perfect for the winter warehouse party season, as multi-layered synths and effects rub shoulders with heavy-set drums to ensure this one hits its target.

Adam Beyer Vs Dense & Pika - Going Down - Drumcode - DC166

Alan Fitzpatrick’s latest EP is the product of a particularly productive six months of studio time for the Drumcode regular. Containing five tracks that cover a circular range from pre-party ambiance to tripped-out melodic odyssey; vocal laced, chord driven hooks; barnstorming peak-time hammers; and 123bm afterparty grooves; there is more than the ‘usual’ Drumcode fare on offer within the aptly named ‘Life Through Different Eyes’ EP. A significant release for artist and label; the sonic incarnation of Fitzpatrick’s growing maturity as a producer and an indication as to the next evolution of the Drumcode sound. 

Drumcode👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Sophie Martin