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Over a year ago, Max Gardner christened Peer with This is a Test. He now returns to the imprint he co-founded alongside Cory Simpson with another five-track effort: the Energy Punk EP. Evident in its eclectic sonics is how Max’s interpretation of techno has evolved and expanded in the months since his debut.

“The West Coast is Back” opens the EP just as appropriately as it would open a room. Boisterous hip-hop samples cut through ambient noise in the first minute of the track. What follows is a footwork-like kick drum cadence complemented by the abstract psychedelia that defines so much of Max’s output.

The title track signals an appreciable shift in direction. “Energy Punk” is aptly titled as its palpitating rhythms and industrial synth work fly in the face of expectations that have come to confine the techno genre. In the latter half, subtle acids rattle their way up the dynamic range only to give way to an eerie melody at the outro.

From a cauldron of metallic echoes come straightforward kick drums that set a stirring pace in “Fridays Aren’t Fridays Anymore.” Then, after an atmospheric respite in the breakdown, an electrifying lead introduces the core motif of the track. Sterile and cerebral, it subsides at the end to make room for bright tones to shine from the textures that introduced the arrangement.

One might cite “Maxshake” as the most inventive single on the Energy Punk EP. Its dissonant chords make it a standout of Max’s discography without straying from his mission to deliver techno that challenges the listener. Warped yet cohesive, discordant yet satisfying, it bears all the hallmarks of timeless underground dance music.

All good things must come to an end, and what better conclusion for the Energy Punk EP than “Sea Moon”? The track’s ascending lead seems to whisper its way into the arrangement but commands an imposing voice by the end. The same could be said of the effort as a whole, making the single a microcosm of sorts.

The music of Max Gardner is in no small part responsible for Peer’s unquestionable place in techno. The Energy Punk EP further cements him as a tastemaker by flexing his versatility as a producer and his uninhibited approach as an artist.

Follow Max Gardner
SoundCloud: @max-gardner
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maxgardnermusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/maxgardnermusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/maxgardnermusic
Resident Advisor: www.ra.co/dj/maxgardner
Beatport: www.beatport.com/artist/max-gardner/291560
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/6i39nMg9jmGqa2c1GPo9EG
Bandcamp: www.maxgardner.bandcamp.com

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Website: www.6amgroup.com
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Twitter: www.twitter.com/6amgroup
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SoundCloud: @6amgroup
YouTube: www.youtube.com/6amgroup

Energy Punk

Premiere: Max Gardner "Energy Punk" - Peer

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere a new track from Max Gardner.  "Fridays Aren't Fridays Anymore" comes off the new EP, Energy Punk, forthcoming on California's Peer label. Over a year ago, Gardner launched Peer with This is a Test and now he returns to the imprint he co-founded alongside Cory Simpson with another five-track effort showcasing his sound evolution and delivering a strong release of raw techno cuts diving deep beneath the California concrete. 

Energy Punk is out April 3rd. Pick it up at: https://peeraudio.bandcamp.com/album/energy-punk-ep

https://soundcloud.com/max-gardner
https://linktr.ee/MaxGardner

PREMIERE: Max Gardner - Fridays Aren't Fridays Anymore (Peer)

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Techno is a layered phenomenon. On the surface level is the talk, fleeting and temporary. Beneath it lies an intricate web woven by all manner of creatives and intellectuals. At the center of it all is the sound itself, and it is in this realm of sonic abstraction that you find Max Gardner.

The San Francisco DJ and producer did not initially pursue electronic music with ambitions to promote himself as a brand. Doors opened nonetheless, and they never stopped.

 He is now one of the artists most closely associated with Bay Area techno, releasing on labels like Occultists, Resource Records and Northern Parallels. He has also launched an imprint called Peer with the mission of platforming the music of promising up-and-comers on equal footing to that of established figureheads.

His often psychedelic, sometimes suspenseful, always hypnotic range of the techno spectrum has afforded him audiences in cities across the globe. He’s performed at clubs like MUTE in Medellin, Leland City Club and The Works in Detroit, Beta Nightclub in Denver, and Desterro in Lisbon. He is also a return guest at gatherings like DEPTH in Seattle and The Great Beyond outside Minneapolis.

 His first European tour in 2023 saw him visit RSO.BERLIN and Moog in Barcelona in addition to Club John Doe in Amsterdam and a gathering by phase.ctv in Madrid. 

Max Gardner lives for the ephemeral moments in which time stands still, where words fail, as pure and honest audio shakes every reveler to their core. To see him behind the decks is to understand that he belongs here. He knows this world intimately. His place in it is permanent.

Follow Max Gardner
Soundcloud:@max-gardner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxgardnermusic/
Resident Advisor: https://ra.co/dj/maxgardner
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maxgardnermusic
Beatport: https://www.beatport.com/artist/max-gardner/291560
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/maxgardner

Follow 6AM Group
Website: www.6amgroup.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/6amgroup
Twitter: www.twitter.com/6amgroup
Instagram: www.instagram.com/6amgroup
SoundCloud: @6amgroup
YouTube: www.youtube.com/6amgroup

Global Vibe Radio 359 feat. Max Gardner

James Demon - Esther (Max Gardner Remix)

Max Gardner - Deep Sleep

@DeclanJamesMusic / @Max-Gardner / @PeerAudio

Bandcamp - https://peeraudio.bandcamp.com/album/symbolic-function
Beatport - https://www.beatport.com/label/peer/100758
YouTube - https://youtu.be/mupmK2xhbJY

Peer is the underground techno label from San Francisco, USA that has featured contributions from Drumcell, Uun and Insolate.

Texas-based producer Declan James makes his debut on Peer and not only runs the VOIDWARE imprint, but lists music on labels such as Unfaced, Heist Mode and Crisis of Man.

Secus is based in Los Angeles and his hypnotic sound has been released on Steve Parker's MUTED rec, Sone's From 0-1, Vegim's TMMR and Christian Gerlach's Lanthan Audio, and is also the Ascetic Limited label owner.

Also contributing a remix, Peer co-founder Max Gardner has over a decade of releases under his belt and has appeared on Mike Derer's Northern Parallels and Oktave as well as remixing Drumcell and Truncate.

Expect to hear raw, hypnotic jams with mesmerising, modular textures, sci-fi tones and dub-inspired elements...

LABEL: Peer

CAT#: PEER007
ARTIST: Declan James
TITLE: Symbolic Function

FORMAT: Digital

RELEASED: 15 December 2023

01. Symbolic Function
02. Symbolic Function (Secus Remix)
03. Homeostasis
04. Serpents Tone
05. Serpents Tone (Max Gardner Remix)

Buy @ Bandcamp

DT:Premiere | Declan James - Serpents Tone (Max Gardner Remix) [Peer]

@ThatJuana

Artist - http://deathtechno.com/artists/juana/
Tracklist - http://deathtechno.com/2024/03/19/dtmix240-juana/
YouTube - https://youtu.be/_EH3P272fPk

Juana is a trusted and experienced artist who lists event line-ups alongside DVS1, Perc, DJ Bone, Headless Horseman, Ellen Allien, Umfang, DJ Stingray, Answer Code Request amongst others. Originally from Chicago, now calling Washington, DC home, Juana has played all around the United States, Canada, Colombia, as well as Paris and Germany, including the legendary Berghain / Panorama Bar in Berlin. This exclusive mix infuses a rising tide of abstract and twisted sounds touching on inspirations from dub techno, tribal, raw, hypnotic, hardgroove, acid and electro to form a sensational storytelling piece of eclecticism. Tracks featured by Decoder, Piotr Figiel & Marboc, Sinistermind, Kwartz, B. Riley, Dustin Zahn, VERUAH and many more…

Death Techno /// Mix Series

deathtechno.com

DTMIX240 - Juana [Washington, DC, USA]

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@peeraudio, the cutting-edge underground techno imprint helmed by Max Gardner, continues to shape the modern US techno soundscape. With a catalog featuring leading artists like Drumcell, Uun, Declan James, Annika Wolfe, and Truncate, the label remains a hub for forward-thinking, timeless techno.

Los Angeles-based producer Aztekan (Daniel Martinez) makes his Peer debut with Autonomous—a collection of raw, hypnotic cuts wrapped in dub-soaked atmospherics and dystopian textures. Known for his work with Developer's Olympian, Ricardo Garduno's Illegal Alien, and Lindsey Herbert's EvilGroove, Aztekan brings his signature depth and precision to this release. Beyond the studio, he curates LA's renowned Kenopsic events, bridging the underground with top-tier techno artists.

Expect to hear deep, driving rhythms, shadowy analogue warmth, and immersive, tension-laden grooves built for late-night floors...

Label: Peer

Artist: Aztekan
Title: Autonomous
Release Date: Friday 21 March 2025
Format: Digital
CAT#: PEER012

01. Imposter
02. Hostile Environment
03. Autonomy
04. Hectic
05. Cross Contaminate

Follow Aztekan
SoundCloud: @aztekan
Facebook: www.facebook.com/danielmartinezofc
Instagram: www.instagram.com/_aztekan

Follow 6AM Group
SoundCloud: @6amgroup
Website: www.6amgroup.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/6amgroup
X (Twitter): www.twitter.com/6amgroup
Instagram: www.instagram.com/6amgroup
YouTube: www.youtube.com/6amgroup


Premiere: Aztekan "Cross Contaminate" - PEER

Recorded live at Unknown Perception 2025

Unknown Perception is an intimate camping experience outside of Los Angeles where techno, nature and community merge 🔊🌲✨ by RE/FORM

Follow Max Gardner
Soundcloud:@max-gardner
Instagram: www.instagram.com/maxgardnermusic/

Follow Unknown Perception:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/unknown_perception/

Follow 6AM Group
Website: www.6amgroup.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/6amgroup
Twitter: www.twitter.com/6amgroup
Instagram: www.instagram.com/6amgroup
SoundCloud: @6amgroup
YouTube: www.youtube.com/6amgroup

Live at Unknown Perception 2025: Max Gardner

@Project-313 / @BlankCode

Artist - http://deathtechno.com/artists/project-313/
More Info - http://deathtechno.com/2025/10/07/dtmix261-project-313/
YouTube - https://youtu.be/UZym80CbH6k

Detroit techno duo Project 313 are the combined force of Chad Parraghi and Nick Bien, and they now mark 15 years of running their influential imprint Blank Code that has featured quality artists such as Drumcell, Truncate, Luis Flores, Brian Sanhaji, and Bas Mooy over the years. Blank Code has become a cornerstone of Detroit's underground techno scene, recognised for its forward-thinking, raw, and uncompromising sound. This special mix is a deep dive into the evolution of Blank Code's ethos, featuring a curated selection of tracks pulled exclusively from the label's catalogue, including the earliest releases to exclusive unreleased material, including forthcoming tracks by Declan James, it showcases the label's past, present, and future. This exclusive mix is more than a set, it's a tribute to 15 years of sonic exploration and innovation, crafted by two artists who have shaped the label from day one. From stripped back hypnosis, to crunching percussion, jackin' rhythms, cerebral moments, and intense crescendos, this is a moment in time, a historic lesson, and a presence of mind in the modern, contemporary techno scene. Tracks featured by Anthony Jimenez, Decoder, Audio Injection aka Truncate, Uun, Luis Flores, Annie Hall, Bill Youngman, and many more.

Tracklist...

01. Corbin Davis - Planet Red [Blank Code]
02. Declan James - Absolved [Unreleased / Blank Code]
03. Anthony Jimenez - Dissonance [Blank Code]
04. Decoder - Farther  [Blank Code]
05. Kyle Geiger - Slingshot Orbit (Audio Injection Remix) [Blank Code]
06. Mutate - Circle 3  [Blank Code]
07. Hemissi - Deuteronomy [Blank Code]
08. Uun - Blood Money Redux [Blank Code]
09. Declan James - Levitation [Unreleased / Blank Code]
10. Mike Gervais - Churn [Blank Code]
11. Brian Sanhaji - Panic (Peter Eilmes Remix) [Blank Code]
12. Project 313 - Null (Luis Flores Version) [Blank Code]
13. Annie Hall - Monde Bruits [Blank Code]
14. Bill Youngman - Slider [Blank Code]
15. Project 313 - Null (Audio Injection Version) [Blank Code]
16. Mutate - Circle 2 (Project 313 Remix) [Blank Code]
17. JX-216 - Dioon [Blank Code]
18. Max Gardner - Delamination [Blank Code]

DTMIX261 - Project 313 [Detroit, USA]

Occultists is a Berlin based record label inspired by label founder @jamesdemon and his desire to merge his love for the occult with his passion for true techno into one entity. Mixing elements that range from goth, electro, techno and acid to dark minimal, infused with in-depth conscious vocals, each release is carefully curated to reveal the dark and mysterious wonders of the arcane. However not limited to genre constraints, our vision is individualistic, unique and inclusive. We invite everyone to take part. Occultists is cultivated to present a rare opportunity to communicate esoteric knowledge through the universal language of music.

Demos & Podcast Inquires: info@weareoccultists.com

(Currently looking for hard techno, electro, experimental techno and dark wave artists only)

Global techno & house community empowering the culture of work & rave
Est. 2008 Los Angeles

Mutant Metropolitan Culture. 
DJ | Writer | Platform | Brvtal Vision 
Inquiries: contact@thebrvtalist.com
The Brvtalist DJ bookings: booking@thebrvtalist.com

Pick up our tote bag at: https://thebrvtalist.com/shop/human-resources-carry-all-bag

Brvtalist Sound Recordings: 
New releases: 
https://thebrvtalist.bandcamp.com/

LABELS: @DEADCERTrecords / @METIERukrec
OWNER: @JackWhoDTxDC

Premieres... sales@deathtechno.com

"Death Techno is a brand, not a genre.

Established in 2010, it encompasses an obsession with Techno.

Providing a quality controlled vessel for discovering new music, artists and labels.

You will hear deep, dark, dub, experimental, industrial, melodic to hypnotic and beyond.

We invite established pioneers to underground talent from around the world to create Exclusive mixes for our ongoing archive."

- Jack! Who?

deathtechno.com
Creator / Editor

New tracks tagged #max gardner