Drumcode Techno

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

Christian Smith is back to Drumcode with a full force, high energy EP. ‘Force Majeure’, consisting of three driving techno tracks, is laced with energetic crescendos, thumping kick drums and deep bass lines. The stirring samples and entrancing percussion used alongside the powerful production really showcase Smith’s diversity and talent as a producer – this EP is not to be missed.


Christian Smith - Force Majeure - Drumcode - DC158

After appearing on A-Sides Volume 4 at the start of 2016, Ilario Alicante now makes his full debut on the label. He has quickly established himself as a key player amongst a new crop of techno artists and truly is one of the brightest stars in the game. His skills behind the decks have seen him tour the globe with Cocoon, as well as appear at the likes of elrow, Lovefest and We Are FSTVL.

Opening with ‘Times’, the EP gets off to a flying start as the track rages straight into top gear, rolling through 6 minutes of pure power. This is a peak time tool that is set to be heard across dance floors worldwide this year. ‘Awakened’ you may have heard from Adam Beyer’s sets of late, a firm favourite which gets his much sought after seal of approval. Rampant syths and mesmerizing vocal hooks all make it one hell of a journey. ‘Sense’ is a more industrial affair, chunky basslines take your hand through the track as it charges on. It’s that classic deep Ilario Alicante sound we all know and love. The EP finishes off on ‘Apogeo’, with its hypnotic siren tones and acute percussion. One thing is for sure, Ilario Alicante is in a league of his own.

Ilario Alicante - Sense - Drumcode - DC169

A work 12 months in the making, Adam Beyer continues his exciting series of collaborative EPs, teaming up with heavy-hitters Pig&Dan for an multi-faceted four-tracker.

Chances are up if you spied Adam Beyer in an airport departure lounge over the past 12 months, he’d have his head buried in his laptop, immersed in creating sound sketches. A long-time fan of collaborations, the Drumcode chief has been on an inspiring streak of form lately, teaming up with the likes of Mark Reeve, Dense & Pika and now Pig&Dan. The results have been compelling, to say the least. 

In trademark perfectionist Beyer style, the title track ‘Capsule’ – a shimmering slice of techno - involved “around 15 different versions” the track rigorously road tested by the Swede and featured in episodes of Drumcode Radio to test dancefloor reactions, before finally getting the sign off.  ‘In Love’ is a big room techno groover, driven by crisp drums and the kind of evocative vocal effect that’ll have hairs standing on ends. ‘Atmosfear’ is true to its name, centered on a menacing synth line and gritty percussion, its deep kicks and subterranean bass combining superbly to create a heady dancefloor brew. ‘We Are E’ is propelled by a catchy synth hook and a classic call-to-arms vocal, which tips its cap to the artists’ shared love of classic UK rave.

Adam Beyer Vs Pig&Dan - In Love - Drumcode - DC171

DC172 comes on behalf of Brazilian born Vinicius Honorio, a now London based producer and DJ who is making some serious in-roads amongst a new breed of techno artists. Having already released on labels such as Pig&Dan’s Elevate and dubspeeka’s Skeleton, the next natural step in his progression comes in the form of a release on Drumcode. 

‘Through The Darkness’ is a masterclass in darkened techno grooves, with each one of the four tracks managing to show off Honorio’s skill as a producer and just why he is firing on all cylinders. The release kicks off with ‘Walking Shadow’, a track that has been a key part of Adam Beyer’s sets at the tail end of 2016 and in to the new year. This tense, brooding affair has certainly garnered a lot of attention of late and it’s clear to see why. The title track ‘Through The Darkness’ is a much more of a stripped back cut, jam-packed with a haunting vocal hook, driving basslines and slick drums. This is one for the late night mischief makers. ‘Desolate’ is another hard-hitter, managing to perfectly balance that signature Honorio groove and pounding drums that adds depth to his productions. The release closes with the atmospheric ‘Out For Blood’, which is loaded with vintage rave stabs and weighty basslines – This one is meant to played in dark and sweaty rooms.

Vinicius Honorio - Through The Darkness - Drumcode - DC172

Hailing from Spain, we are pleased to welcome Ramiro Lopez to take the reigns for our next release. The in-form producer has already released music on the likes of Bedrock, Intec, Suara and Diymanic in a relatively short space of time and garnered major support from Adam Beyer, Carl Cox and Monika Kruse. Coming out on 15th May, his ‘Pretending’ release comprises of 4 tracks that have been a mainstay of Adam Beyer’s sets during the latter part of 2016 and now full force in to 2017. 

The release opens with ‘September’; Atmospheric to its very core, the crunching drums and low end rumbles make this one a sure fire weapon of choice. Next we jump into ‘Loving You’ with a haunting vocal that compliments the stripped back yet refined approach of this track. ‘Come Closer’ featuring Juliet Fox is a dark, rumbling number that screams building percussion that lends itself to become a peak time choice, whether it’s a club or festival. The release closes with ‘Pretending feat. KnowKontrol’; An 8-minute piece of work that is destined for unadulterated dancefloor destruction, whilst maintaining that melodic element that Ramiro Lopez is fast making his signature style.

Ramiro Lopez - Come Closer feat. Juliet Fox - Drumcode - DC174

Ramiro Lopez - Loving You - Drumcode - DC174

DC175 comes courtesy of Alias, a new project comprising of Harvey & Ryan McKay, who are two acts who have previously released solo material on the label. Harvey McKay’s last appearance was in late 2016 when he dropped ‘The Mad Drummer’ on A-Sides Vol. 4 whereas Ryan McKay’s last outing was in 2015 when he appeared on A-Sides Vol.3 under the name Skiver. This is the first collaborative project between the Scottish duo under their new moniker Alias.

The EP opens with ‘Pentatonic’; A tough sounding track that has been designed for the forward-thinkers. ‘The Truth’ follows up sharply, with vintage piano stabs and a vocal that gives the track abounding energy. The on-point percussion leads you on a trip of pure rapture. The release closes with the apocalyptic ‘Dream Taker’, which is teeming with sinister vocal action, hostile synth work and a sublime way to sign off.

Alias - The Truth - Drumcode - DC175

Cooked up with a more melodic vibe and fusing elements of house and techno, Dense & Pika’s latest outing on Drumcode offers something different compared to their previous work. There is still that vintage feel to each of the tracks with analogue sounds and arrangements born and developed from experimental studio jams. Indeed, ‘Suki’ heavily utilizes the distinct harmonic tones of the Dave Smith Prophet 8 keyboard. While ‘Little Sun’ - A staple of D&P performances over the last three months - delivers a more classic Drumcode sound. ‘Lanky’ closes out the release with an infectious slab of wonderfully wonked-out raw funk.

Dense & Pika - Suki - Drumcode - DC177

Drumcode returns with its 6th installment of the internationally celebrated A-Sides series. Renowned for fostering a shared space between industry tastemakers and rising talent alike, the careful curation that goes into each volume is a fine example of why Beyer’s brand continues to go from strength to strength.

Techno titan Adam Beyer has grown Drumcode into a force to be reckoned with; the label has become synonymous with forward-thinking, functional techno and even after 20 years, Drumcode continues to find new boundaries to push, and ways to solidify its legacy as the world’s number one techno label. 

2017 is no exception, with Beyer’s imprint hosting it’s first stage at Tomorrowland, not to mention the expansion of the critically acclaimed Junction 2 where the Drumcode stage is the centrepiece and Adam plays the key role of festival director. The Drumcode phenomenon continues to grow each week, chiefly fuelled by Drumcode Radio, Adam’s radio show that’s broadcast in 57 countries via 86 stations and to a global audience of 16 million techno fans per week. 

The A-Sides series acts as a perfect vignette of Drumcode’s cutting-edge sound; functional yet inspired techno, all tracks tried and tested by Beyer himself. Vol. 6 continues this tradition with a collection of 16 multi-faceted cuts from a mixture of both emerging artists and experienced label friends. 

The heart-throbbing bass in Amelie Lens’ electrifying piece ‘In Silence’ sets the tone for the dark and dance-floor-ready energy that Vol.6 carries the whole way through. Other standouts include Mars Bill’s rough’n’ready ‘Mohave’. Pulsating and precise, ‘Mohave’ has highlighted many of Beyer’s sets recently as has Wehbba’s monster track ‘Fake’, which fans have been anticipating the release of all year. 

Label-favourites Dense & Pika also feature on ‘A-Sides’ Vol. 6 with their hard-hitting ‘Just a Beat’ and a huge track from Beyer himself who has joined forces with Enrico Sangiuliano to bring us their undeniably infectious ‘Preset Heaven’. 

With many more notable selections from the likes of Julian Jewell, Timmo, Tiger Stripes and Pig&Dan, A-Sides Vol. 6 is another impressive addition to the label’s prolific release roster and a testament to why Drumcode remains at the forefront of the electronic world.

Amelie Lens - In Silence - Drumcode - DC178

Mars Bill - Mohave - Drumcode - DC178

Marco Faraone - Desert Crash - Drumcode - DC178

Luca Agnelli - Hypericum - Drumcode - DC178

Adam Beyer & Enrico Sangiuliano - Preset Heaven - Drumcode - DC178

Pig&Dan - La Bruja - Drumcode - DC178

Vinicius Honorio - Diamond Dust - Drumcode - DC178

Julian Jeweil returns with a generous five-track EP continuing his stellar 2017. 

Following on from his ‘Rolling’ EP that dropped in January and featured the outstanding ‘Blue’, an early contender for one of the strongest tracks of the year, Julian Jeweil drops the crisp intergalactic techno trip ‘Space’

The EP begins in stunning fashion with title track ‘Space’, driven by stirring vocal effects that build up tremendously, later giving way to a punchy acid-laced climax. ‘South’ follows, a low-end tour de force. ‘Answer’ is already familiar to fans after it featured on DCR368 Live from Loveland and the track is a rousing peak-time weapon propelled by subterranean stabs. ‘Encke’ is deliciously mind-bending, led by heavy bass and distorted effects, before ‘Module’ follows providing a groovier, but no less powerful contrast.

Julian Jeweil - Encke - Drumcode - DC179

Julian Jeweil - Answer - Drumcode - DC179

Adam Beyer’s Drumcode is growing from strength to strength, year after year, with a non-stop release schedule showcasing both the labels new and most established artists with cutting edge techno beats. After 20 years since its inception, Drumcode continues to push the boundaries, firmly grounding their position as the world’s No.1 techno label.

Drumcode’s youngest rising star, Layton Giordani, exploded on to the scene after his debut album “Where It Begins” back in February, after scoring some of the biggest festivals in Europe this summer, he now returns with an exciting collab titled “Live Again”.

NY born and bred, Danny Tenaglia has always been a true inspiration for Layton since his teenage years, so when the opportunity to collaborate with the fellow NY legend was on the cards, it was a dream come true.

Danny and Layton join forces for the lead track ‘Live Again’. Its deep and dark with a slowly building pad wrapping around a modulating synthetic hook. The dark and effected vocal echo takes the track into a hypnotic vibe.

‘Take It Back’ delivers a pumping drive the moment it fires up. Snapping percussive force and an infectious rhythmic groove will unhinge dance floors nationwide, whilst ‘Secrets of Vibration’ has a rattling, yet blistering low end presence to it.

The New Yorkers unite on this energetic and exciting collab.

Drumcode Techno

Sten Hanhart