The heavy, the dark, the hardest techno coming from Europe and providing a sound orgasm in your ears.

Dark Techno_part2

A1.VII Circle - Fearless

Get On Down

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 - Atmosfear - Drumcode - DC171

Orgyestra

Born To Be Slytherin

VIPER DIVA - En Y

VIPER DIVA - Born To Be Slytherin (Tbilisi Mix)

If you want a snapshot of where techno stands in any given year, and a preview of where it’s headed, look no further than Drumcode’s A-Sides compilation. Since 2012 it has marked the label debuts of countless vital Drumcode artists and affiliates, from Layton Giordani, Wehbba and Boxia, to Amelie Lens and ANNA, no less. Every year, new names are unearthed, tried and true techno contributors serve up their best, and icons of the industry land their debut on Adam Beyer’s storied label.

The 2020 edition hits with 13 tracks, eight coming from label debutants. There’s Eats Everything searing rave bomb ‘Organico’ and Dubfire’s ice-cool electro offering ‘Deadbug’, both artists landing their maiden contributions to DC after long affiliations with Beyer. With three EPs in less than two years on Truesoul, Oscar L steps up to DC, showing the breadth of his sound palette with a soaring, synth-laden gem ‘Dark Fate’. Belgians Joyhauser featured at last year’s Drumcode Festival paving the way for ‘Fierceness’, a beautiful melody-drenched cut befitting their DC cap. Anfisa Letyago is another first timer and shows why she’s one of the scene’s most highly touted new artists with the brooding beast ‘Are You In’. A growing label favourite, Juliet Fox follows up ‘Was Beautiful’, her superb track on last year’s A-Sides, with ‘Our Fantasy’, reinforcing her skill for crafting anthemic techno compositions. Thomas Schumacher & Victor Ruiz link and the result is ‘Intuit’, a sleek futuristic roller that hits you square between the eyes. Other highlights come from longtime Drumcode cohorts Reset Robot and Harvey McKay, who both dish up premium works, reinforcing their classy productions nous.

Buy all

Joyhauser — Fierceness — Drumcode — DC223

SEKTION 1

Buy 12" | Digital

Clara Cuvé | Control

DIMI | Interconnected Lines

Wallis | Hard Definitions

Somewhen | Ruined

Rikhter | Kryptos

SWART is back on VAGUE with a new 4-Track EP. Starting off with a fast pounding industrial track to set the mood followed by 2 acid bangers and to end it all off a fast pace more melodic track that will make you float while you dance. The title track was made during the first weeks of the COVID-19 Quarantine and with the end (hopefully)
in sight we only have one message, DEATH TO THE QUARANTINE.

@swart
@vaguetechno
https://vaguetechno.bandcamp.com/album/swart-death-to-the-quarantine-ep

PREMIERE | SWART - Power Lust Greed Fame

What You Do

Tim Tama - What You Do [DRMSCPDIGI001]

Out now
https://www.beatport.com/release/acronym/3006799

Pig&Dan - Acronym

Adam Beyer returns with his first solo EP in five years.

The Drumcode founder is measured when it comes to signing music to his own imprint, biding his time till the stars align. His last individual outing was 2015’s ‘Stone Flower’ EP, which included the thrilling label favourite ‘What You Need’. A succession of classy collaborations followed, linking with DC’s most vital artists highlighted by ‘Your Mind’ with Bart Skils, proclaimed one of the best tracks of the last decade by Mixmag.

An EP that gives a nod to uncertain times, while remaining resolutely positive, ‘No Defeat No Retreat’ was written during Beyer’s fruitful production sessions during lockdown. The opening track, ‘Park People’ sets the pace with an energetic, 80’s new wave creating the track’s spine. Its hypnotic energy stems from a powerful synth riff and vocal sample culminating in a skilfully balanced track that neatly combines the old with the new. The title track is a study in contrasts, deftly crafting a muted, nagging vocal hook and infectious bassline into a slice of forward-facing, edgy techno. With its subtle, undulating layers of melody building in the background, it ushers in an understated sense of euphoria, making it a perfect end-of-set mood-maker. A thrilling return!

Tracklist

1. Adam Beyer – Park People
2. Adam Beyer – No Defeat No Retreat

No Defeat No Retreat

Adam Beyer — Park People — Drumcode — DC229

Mirth

Mirth (Farrago Remix)

Hysteria (Marco Effe Remix)

Ignacio Arfeli is back on AnalyticTrail with his second EP for Markantonio’s label, and it’s another fine example of his dramatic techno style.

Based in Argentina, Ignacio Arfeli has also featured on other labels such as Alan Fitzpatrick’s We Are The Brave, Coyu’s Suara, Dense & Pika's Kneaded Pains and Sian’s Octopus.

Rapidly asserting himself as one of Argentina’s most influential up and comers, Ignacio Arfeli is known for playing DJ sets at many of his home regions top events, and he has also collaborated on tracks with other rising stars such as Mha Iri and I AM BAM.

The three track EP opens with the epic pads and compelling melodies of “Be Aware” raising the roof with its explosive percussion. “Transcend Realities” plunges into darkness from a bass heavy groove and enticing vocals combined with frantic tension perfect for a dance floor. Closing out the EP is the rolling percussion and twisted vocals of “Another Vision”, which hammers home with its thumping kick drum.

Be Aware

Ignacio Arfeli - Be Aware

Dark Techno_part2

Andrea Maselli