Techno Vinyl New Releases - News

Debut album by Dutch producer w1b0, who passed away in August, to be released in November on U-TRAX.

Wibo Lammerts' sudden death on August 15thshocked the worldwide electro community, and also left the record label, that had been working on the debut album with the artist known as w1b0 for the past two years, dumbfounded and in grief.

Wibo had jokingly always called his upcoming debut album 'his legacy', which now sadly has become a painful truth. With the support of Wibo's family, U-TRAX is now doing the only thing that doesn't feel totally wrong: proceed as planned, and release 'When Humans Ruled The Earth' on November 11.

W1b0 made quite a name for himself with heavy electro tracks that he released on labels like Bass Agenda, Hilltown Disco and Discos Antónicos. Standing at 202 meters, and combined with a cheerful character, most people remember him as the gentle giant of electro.
For this album, Wibo wanted to steer away from the dark and heavy electro he mostly made until then. The idea of having a platform to create delicate electronic music in different styles, and make it a showcase of his versatility, was very appealing to him. And that is where he and U-TRAX found each other.

The full-length album (over 75 minutes on cd and digital) comes after 'The Pilex Program EP', released in October, that featured a remix by Detroit's Ectomorph of 'Pilex Driver' and saw 'Program Yourself To Feel' remixed by a well-known Dutch producer that recently created the new 'techno alias' Human Form.
As usual with U-TRAX, the album comes in three different editions, with the 11-track double vinyl version containing the Ectomorph and Human Form remixes. The CD and digital version boast original versions only, plus four additional tracks: 'Alternate Reality Interface', 'Mixed Matter Fluctator', 'Synthetic', and 'In There'. The cassette version more or less has the same track list as the CD/digi version, but has both aforementioned remixes and a bonus track in the incredibly hypnotizing 'I Wanted You', a track that unfortunately couldn't be on the CD and vinyl versions.

Buyers of the physical releases get treated on superior quality products, another trademark of U-TRAX. The vinyl edition boasts over one hour of music, on two 180 grams, green vinyl discs, in a black & white & neon green gatefold sleeve. The eye-catching artwork is created by Utrecht artist Leffe Goldstein, known amongst others for his psychedelic beer can designs for Utrecht brewery Maximus. Wibo, being the beer lover he was, had zero doubts about having Leffe Goldstein do the cover for his album. The CD has a total playing time of 75 minutes and comes in a beautiful 6-panel digipack, while the cassette will have full-color on-body print and comes in a plastic-free Maltese cross fold-up sleeve.

Buyers of the physical releases get treated on superior quality products, another trademark of U-TRAX. The vinyl edition boasts over one hour of music, on two 180 grams, green vinyl discs, in a black & white & neon green gatefold sleeve. The eye-catching artwork is created by Utrecht artist Leffe Goldstein, known amongst others for his psychedelic beer can designs for Utrecht brewery Maximus. Wibo, being the beer lover he was, had zero doubts about having Leffe Goldstein do the cover for his album. The CD has a total playing time of 75 minutes and comes in a beautiful 6-panel digipack, while the cassette will have full-color on-body print and comes in a plastic-free Maltese cross fold-up sleeve.

Opener 'Acid Whip' is one of the oldest compositions on this album, in which a dark 303 bassline hums over layers of spacey strings. Wibo named it after the legendary Whip It party in Amsterdam's De Melkweg. 'Alternate Reality Interface' then presents bouncy rhythms toying around with all sorts of analog (bass) synthesizers, before we go really deep with the epic ambient techno track 'Wandering Souls'.
Then things get a little lighter spirited: 'Mixed Matter Fluctator' is an electro track that builds on sounds created by Matt Buggins. It has very strong Detroit influences, the city Wibo loved so much and that he made a pilgrimage to with a group of friends that called themselves 'The Techno Tourists'. The tempo goes up a notch in 'Program Yourself To Feel', that halfway opens up in wide science fiction strings that evoke memories of Star Wars, the movie series that Wibo was a great fan of, and that was the source of many of his tracks' names. The Human Form remix opens the vinyl edition of this album and is a downright belter of a track.

Next is a somewhat experimental intermezzo named 'Synthetic'. Erratic beats and pounding bassdrums get accompanied by very subtle eerie-sounding strings, before melancholic synthesizers and piano chords take over. This is an excellent prelude to the epic 'Hologram Computing', a track that is one of our favorites. It slowly and softly builds and builds, before a pounding bassdrum breaks loose and a hypnotic arpeggio takes you to higher planes.
Not ready to letting the listener relax, w1bo then serves 'Beilstein Reference', which again presents his trademark cocktail of down-to-earth electro rhythms and catchy melodies, covered in all sort of little sounds and noises, giving the song a lot of energy. What follows is 'Hit me', a track loosely based on a song by Dutch indie rock band Mr. Joe Abe. Wibo met the band's singer on a camping site while being on holidays and the two decided Wibo should do a remix of one of their songs. Nothing was left of the original except the vocals, and the result is a remarkable cheerful, poppy electro song.

'Anticipated Input' is one of the more recent tracks Wibo made for this album, combining electro, acid and, yes: epic strings. But not all is peace and quiet on this album, as 'Pilex Driver' shows. This is w1b0 going experimental in a danceable fashion: Industrial sounds make the track sound like we're passing a construction site that is playing loud electro music. On the vinyl version of this album, Ectomorph totally decomposed the original and made it into a mysterious, almost subdued, and totally brilliant electro track that sees a main role for the retro Roland CR drum machines sounds.

TFHats, Wibo's fellow member of the Transhumanism collective, added lyrics to 'Cartesian Coordinates'. His vocals add a pleasant New Wave flavor to this song, that has breaks that remarkably reminds one of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. What follows is the most personal track on this album. 'Fornan' is a song that Wibo made for his wife Nanette, and was added as the last piece of the puzzle that creating an album is. The warm Detroit techno atmosphere in this electro song couldn't be a more beautiful tribute to his love, and mother of their two young boys.
The album then takes a surprising detour through a 1980s landscape with 'In There', that features the Joy Division-esque vocals of another one of Wibo's friends, indicated only as Vincent. The super slow and gloomy track is a treat for anyone that loved the darker side of New Wave. The album has a worthy closer in the sensitive, yet playful 'Schlegel Diagram'.

Incoming, a massive EP from Anderson.

After his recent easter eggs EP, this four tracker is a blend of trance, breaks, drum & bass and experimental electronica.

Starting off the A side with the ‘Jelly Bean (Virus Outbreak Mix)’, this monster of tune will rattle your subs (and brain) with his crunchy kicks and trancey sequencing. This track will blast you off into oblivion eventually bringing you right into A2, ‘Level Quest’, a trancey chugging progressive tune building energy from the moment the first kick ignites.

After a much needed break, the B1 puts you in an immediate trancestate lasting just a few minutes and before you know it you will be blasted into drum and bass land with ‘Tasteful Nudes’ closing out the EP.

See you on the other side..

Pink Marbled
Limited 50 copy press

Incoming, a massive EP from Anderson.

After his recent easter eggs EP, this four tracker is a blend of trance, breaks, drum & bass and experimental electronica.

Starting off the A side with the ‘Jelly Bean (Virus Outbreak Mix)’, this monster of tune will rattle your subs (and brain) with his crunchy kicks and trancey sequencing. This track will blast you off into oblivion eventually bringing you right into A2, ‘Level Quest’, a trancey chugging progressive tune building energy from the moment the first kick ignites.

After a much needed break, the B1 puts you in an immediate trancestate lasting just a few minutes and before you know it you will be blasted into drum and bass land with ‘Tasteful Nudes’ closing out the EP.

See you on the other side..

Pink Marbled

Limited 50 copy press

Supported by Rebekah, Dax J, SLAM, Amélie Lens, SPFDJ, Joseph Capriati, Samantha Togni, Cynthia Spiering, Gijensu, 14anger, Cristian Varela, Don Woezik, Raymundo Rodriguez, Amelie, Lens, Mark Greene, Blame The Mono, Kenny Campbell, Post Scriptum, Exilles, D.A.V.E. The Drummer, Marco Carola, François X, Luca Agnelli, and many more ...

Red Marbled Vinyl

DYEN launches his much anticipated new imprint RECKLESS. A label focused on the modern and harder rave styles out there. A strong combination of new aspiring producers and familiar names with the shared love for the high BPM and hardtechno spectrum.

Featuring its first installment as a various artist vinyl with 999999999, AnD, Myler and DYEN himself. Available as a 12" dark red marbled vinyl exhibiting each artist range of sound.

The great YPY on the mighty Black Smoker records! Remixes from Compuma (Em Records) and Lena Willikens. BIG!

Jay Lumen needs no introduction as he has been important to the tech and techno scene for years now. After several No.1 and Top10 releases on labels like Drumcode, Octopus, Relief, Suara, OFF etc. we are happy to have him back on Noir Music with this fantastic tech stomper "Our Freedom" that has a little bit of everything.The remixes comes from La Fleur and Traumer. Both are among our favorite producers at the moment and we are happy to write that both did an excellent remix job making sure we got fantastic alternative versions here.

Maara’s latest effort comes straight from the inner zone. Whether meant for use as vision quest guidance or club hedonism, Fancy Feast continues the Canadian’s tradition of crafting seductive, trance-inducing dance music in mesmeric fashion.

‘Can’t Slo Down’ is a vehicle for transcendence. Locked-in, hypnotic fare with subtle gear shifts consistent with Maara’s propensity towards trippy atmospherics and urgent dancefloor dynamics. Then, in a heady alloy of ritual throb and fractal warehouse ruffness, ‘Highrollerz’ finds Maara at her most propulsive.

Prog reigns supreme across the record, but 'Princess Express' has the third-eye dilating magick in full effect. It’s both fractal and functional, a ritual incantation with rugged appeal. ‘Rude, Crude & Out Of Control’, on the other hand, harks back to those halcyon days of the free party movement. Proper breakbeat torque with yet another healthy dose of prog.

Everybody loves a good mystery. The second chapter of the NOWHERE Series brings you to France, Kalamazoo, Arnhem and Den Haag. Four forgotten dance floor bangers by folks who clearly remember the first summer of love, back in 1988. All remastered for your listening pleasure and available again on vinyl. First up is a dark and twisted acid track by Laurent Garnier. Flashback stems from 1997, but has aged like a good single malt whiskey from France. You better believe it. It Talks To Me is proper Detroit techno, with it's abstract stabs and moody strings. Except it's from Kalamazoo, where Donnell Knox resides and where he -since 1995- has pumped out an amazing discography. You can't get any closer to early Transmat-energy than with this raw track. On the flip it is over to Holland, for two forgotten gems. Inferno only came out on vinyl, back in 1993. On the legendary label Gyrate. It's a full on acid affair, with a massive break. Made by Dutchies Frederik (of Pako & Frederik fame), Eric De Man & Heiko van Eindhoven. Solartrek by Roland Klinkenberg was picked up by I-F in 1995 for his Top Secret label. The energetic and surprisingly bright track is now remastered and available again on vinyl and on digital platforms for the very first time.

Atmophile Electronics, a new Berlin based label focusses on atmospheric side of techno, launches with a compilation called Fundamentum. Made up by eight tracks on double-vinyl, Fundamentum brings together the most contemporary techno-talents like Matrixmann, Takaaki Itoh, Polar Intertia, Sofus Forsberg, Mike Parker, Alderson Disk, Ankurbln, and Naty Seres. All tracks are EXCLUSIVE to this release.

The first dronish intro track is from the two label founders Naty Seres and Ankurbln: rough in the sound, it's slowly building up to mellow harmonies; followed by a suiting and melodic drifting song of Sofus Forsberg who is looking back to decades and multiple albums of IDM music creations.

The B side of the first record is starting with Polar Inertia a track that displays what the French producers are known for: an extremely detailed arrangement and their trademark, unique sound design.

Next is a solo track by Ankurbln. Both experimental and spacious, it shows a slight tendency towards house and minimal music in the sound image, but keeping atmospheric weirdness at heart.

The 2nd record of this double LP is opened by no other than Matrixxman, with a groovy beat full of harmonic spaces, showing the versatility that he is known for.

Takaaki Itoh is following with a track that focuses on groove and danceability without loosing the connection to trippiness.

Coming to the D side of the release the listener gets pulled into the heavily modulated drones and powerful kicks of the techno legend Mike Parker, doing what he does best.

The closing track is from Alderson Disk, a Berlin based producer who has a long history of West-Coast bass music production with another alias, presenting a refreshing blend of techno and bass music vibes, full of groove changes and curious drum patterns.

Number three is here and we're pleased to announce that it's led by a great artist who has produced nothing but heat for years - Dawl! "Ultimate Damage" is an EP brimming with emotions, encompassing Dawl's characteristic styles: nostalgic stabs, breaks, raw techno and bleeps. These are 4 tracks ready for the dance floor - don't miss this release!

2022 Repress

DJ Life makes his Craigie Knowes debut with the club-focused 4 track "Retina" EP. Progressive house and techno beats laden with spiralling synths, mouthy stabs, winding 303 patterns and relentlessly rhythmic basslines. Eyes shut and ascend.

Daring techno figure Drumcomplex has been keeping busy, despite the current universal club hiatus. Cooped up in the studio, where no one but his close collaborators could enter, he has concocted his 3th album, consisting of eleven original tracks. It's a release that shows off his well-rounded, calculated style, bearing the typical Drumcomplex imprint, while incorporating more recent influences. Long time friend and melodic techno aficionado Frank Sonic makes two appearances, first one on the intro track, a more melancholic starter to an otherwise upbeat slew of tracks. Later on, as we're taken through intricate yet straightforward cuts like Universe and The Heat, he makes his mark on Deeply Anchored, an ethereal vocal-centered dreamy pad-heavy journey. We also encounter a collaboration with Ben Champell, a more heavy-hitting, ready for the floor cut. At over seven minutes, title track The Story Of Now is the LP's epic centrepiece, with subtle hints of breaks and an array of contagious percussion and metallic synths. While all tracks can be defined as techno, the producer's sound design chops are evident, considering the variety of soundscapes we're taken through track by track. A great example is Running Funky, who, albeit using an eponymous vocal loop, demonstrates Drumcomplex' ability to also get very, very groovy. The LP is rounded off however in true Complexed style with club-primed weapons such as Cook or Surrender with Uncertain from Vienna, that spell late night havoc. All in all, an enjoyable release both for at-home listening as well as in-club use, reaching far and wide into the realm of techno with rowdy rave capabilities and intricate melodies

Delirium 17 by Silver Zone aka Marco Repetto & Stefan Riesen in the rebound.

It's the first official re-issue after 1994!

- repress / comes without the inserts of the first pressing -

"The Unfinished Fight Against Humanity" is SNTS' third full-length album following "The Rustling Of The Leaves" in 2015 and "Losing Sight" in 2016.

Ten tracks that are born from the combination of historical, mystical and current references, which lead to a reflection of how the human being can complicate its existence due to behaviour and the consequences that derive from such actions. The dark, hard and energetic rhythms of the album narrate the coexistence of diverse human values throughout history, from peace to war, from love to hate, from empathy to ego.

In words of the artist SNTS, "the human being has been created to live in society, the problem arises when society fails to coexist or compete to survive".

The latest from Steve O'Sullivan and Mosaic's archive raiding series sees the first ever airing for an unreleased extended mix of the soft and soul-drenched 'Composure', plus two choice selections on the slip, the sleek sub-bass powered 'She Don't Do Chicks' and a dub mix of the equally streamlined 'Bumper Car'. If the A-side is a luxurious period piece of sorts - it could be related to Underground Resistance's 'Galaxy 2 Galaxy' for instance - then two on the other side could have been made yesterday they're so relevant and playable, coasting along with the kind of subtly jacking framework and dubby basslines that G Man made his own. All lovingly remastered at The Exchnage too.

... For the second Vinyl release, Ket Robinson invites 4 talented artists he really likes, each one with his own style of Techno.
From France to Argentina and Germany, remember their names!

restock

We are proud to present the stellar debut and collab between the renowned Peruvian duo Dengue Dengue Dengue and Argentinian Prisma. ‘Pliegues' creates a hypnotic journey and infectious cadences that invites you to close your eyes while your hips move to the sound of colliding polyrhythms and powerful FM synth lines.

But there is also room for the oneiric realm on this EP, with the track 'Grietas' this new trio opens a portal to steep and melodramatic terrains. Meanwhile the remix of ‘Brechas’ from our friend empanadas aka DJ Python unleashes his sincere trademark of atmospheric and sentimental dembow. Finally, el paisa Verraco makes his label debut reshaping the lead track with a bombastic, deconstructed, bipolar summer banger full of edgy sound design.

The legendary N.A.D. follows up the aptly titled ‘Electro EP’ with the punishing ‘A Day in May’, a scorching hot four track technofunk monster that marries the Detroit and Kalamazoo techno traditions with classic UK techno. Absolutely exceptional high-octane material destined to set any dancefloor on fire.

The new release from Structured Records is signed by the Spanish duo hailing from Sevilla, The Wire Alliance.
Delivering their distinctive sound with meticulous production skills crafting beats at their studio using their analogue and digital gear.

¨Mathspace¨ is highly influenced by the old and new sounds from techno, experimental & noise. The first track is an introduction to set us on this journey of paced rhythms and industrial landscapes.

It seems as if 15 years have quickly flown by since we first opened our doors at the base of the famous Oberbaumbrücke joining Berlin's Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain districts. With countless long nights into majestic mornings and open airs in our beloved city to showcases spanning the globe, Watergate has grown to include a booking agency and a record label pushing the sounds of our mainstay artists and some of the most revered acts in the scene. To celebrate our journey over the last decade and a half we have put together a special anniversary release of 25 new, exclusive and formerly unreleased tracks to be released as a 2x CD set with our traditional Watergate artwork as well as a special collector's edition box set as a 5x vinyl, 2x CD package including a commemorative art print, two free entries to the club itself and the very special photo book 'Sound Travels' by Linus Dessecker which features photos and interviews of artists that played at Watergate when they arrived or left Berlin, all wrapped up in a sleek minimalistic package entitled 'WATERGATE XV'.

Encompassing music from club residents like Matthias Meyer, Jimi Jules, Marco Resmann, La Fleur, Tiefschwarz, Floyd Lavine, Lee Jones, Adana Twins, Sebo K, Hyenah and Cinthie and new comers Gorje Hewek & Izhevski, Gumz and Ryan Davis to friends and cohorts who have close ties to the club such as Butch, Henrik Schwarz, Ellen Allien, Alex Niggemann, Catz n' Dogz, Steve Bug, Osunlade, Solomun, Rodriguez Jr., Oliver Koletzki, Anja Schneider, Mathias Kaden and Kollektiv Turmstrasse, WATERGATE XV comprises of a plethora of sounds you have come to anticipate from our home along the Spree. From deep and euphoric cuts to lush organics tracks to heavier, peak time compositions, this compilation finds a moment that encapsulates every aspect of the sounds of Watergate.

We think this body of music perfectly captures our essence, whether it's under our famous LED's, on the waterfloor watching the sun rise or at any of our showcases and open airs the world over. We hope it can spark a memory in your mind to a moment we shared over the last 15 years. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share these moments and music and here is to many more years together on the dance floor with you.

When James Pepper met Riccardo Paffetti (Black Loops) a bromance was quick to bloom. After touring the Berlin-based Italian across Australia, the two soon realised they not only loved each others company but records too.

Following Black Loops maiden trip down under, the dudes stayed in touch and led to Pep crashing on Riccardo’s sofa bed for a week in Berlin. The duo went to work in the studio, brewing up some gems that were released on classy imprints Neovinyl Recordings and Haŵs.

It was on Paffetti’s most recent trip to Oz (well before the world shutdown) that brought about their most anticipated tracks to date. Bunkering down in a Marrickville studio, the cross-continent pairing got up close and personal with some neat hardware. Experimenting with an array of compressors, a TR8 and the Elektron Analog Four MKII ‘Three Drops’ EP was born.

The EP is a lively affair. A rampant message to club folk far and wide. Founded on lo-fi percussion, a crunchy kick and echoed key sections ‘Three Drops’ throws a flurry of punches. Varied combinations of electro, acid and techno rolling together just right. Here we have a welcome jab of adrenaline. You can almost visualise the duo grinning from ear-to-ear, as they bring in each piece of machinery.

'Three Drops’ made its live debut at Pepper’s recent Boiler Room in Sydney and has since taken the interwebs by storm. Hundred’s of ID requests later and the time is right to share this gem as the clubs open back up across the globe.

The B side and new single has arrived in ‘Arp Love’. A frantically beautiful dose of techno. Soaring risers make way for pulsating chords and shimmering TR8 patterns, as we’re led deep into a clubby rabbit hole. In signature Black Loops style, a spoken word sample on the disappointment of love breaks the piece in two.

For a burgeoning Sydney producer like Pep it must be truly amazing to co-write alongside Riccardo - an artist who’s clocked tens of millions of streams worldwide, claimed Deep House Artist of The Year (2017) via Traxsouce plus released weaponry on revered labels such as Shall Not Fade, Toy Tonics, Gruuv and Good Ratio.

We’re grateful James Pepper and Black Loops got together. These two on tracks makes sense.

Rene Wise has previously released on some of the finest Techno labels out there such as Rødhåd's WSNWG, Luke Slater's Mote-Evolver and Dustin Zahn's Enemy Records now finally gets round to another of techno finest, Blueprint.

A 4 track Ep of his unique atmospheric soundscapes that always have a raw but modern touch, captivating the listener from beginning to end.

His pure but passionate approach to music has given him the honour of gracing institutions such as Berghain and Fabric, and earned him a residency at the esteemed underground Eerste Communie parties hailing from The Netherlands.

"Talk to plants on the edge of a garden. Spiritual tribal House/Techno from the woods of Sweden brought to you by Nicolai Zellmani. Have you touched someone today?"

ASC is back on the label, now stronger than ever, this time orbiting the Gallery section, and show us how elegantly he is able to take textures and techno to the next level.

There is no exaggeration when we say that this artist is a pillar in our label and the way he is able to show us how techno can have infinite beautiful layers on each listen is outstanding.

Comes in a hand-stamped cardboard sleeve.

Nachtstrom core-member Frederik Hatsav (Desonanz, Metalogic) is back on track and teams up with Measure Divide on this bass-heavy, distorted 3-tracker. The EP will be released on green transparent vinyl.

Mslwte, does the name ring a bell James calls himself a Techno Experimentalist and he sure is! As a co-owner of Subsekt, he sure knows how to turn those knobs. Dirty, Rough, Experimental, Twisted dark techno. You'll love it.
'E121' is dark, rough and has a brilliant atmosphere. 8 min pure pleasure and an excellent track for playing 3 decks.
'Insular Tone' is a great no-nonsense stomper.
If you're a fan of some older Djax up beats stuff, you'll need this too!
On the B-side, 'Derby' is pure emotion with the touch of roughness only James can add to tracks.
The Stoll Remix takes it to the floor and straight up tempo. No Fooling around.

Our loyal companion "Steve Parker" continues to raise awareness off what he can do in the scene. This "Interplanetary Dust LP" is another example of what he is capable of. A 2x12" containing 8 powerful tracks that fits right into the resume of our widely ranged techno collection

area127 a new label from London, focused on the techno trance sound, presents ZETA - Ad Astra.

Resurrected from the 90s and found in the heart of Japan.
These extraterrestrial sounds were channeled live in Tokyo in 1998.

“How did man arrive where he is today, with his intelligence?
Did he evolve from the ape, or was he given an assist?”

9Volt is back on vinyl!

This ep is something special. Nearly all sounds and used samples are made with wooden instruments and nature materials. Alex created his uniqe sound with double bass, bow, wooden toys and tiny instruments as well as field recordings.

Repress

Finnish sound scientist Aleksi Perälä presents 'Paradox', a double EP landing 15 th of December on . Using a microtonal tuning method known as Colundi - with which his work is now synonymous - he guides us through a ritualistic journey of ten formidable tracks.
Glistening scales cascade over peculiar tones. Aleksi Perälä explores the powers of an alternative tuning system in dance-floor structures, tapping into the veiled potential of his sound palette with stunning physical consequences.
Saccharine and mysterious, 'Paradox' channels elements of Electro, Techno and Italo, ultimately achieving a transcendental form of its own.

repressed !

Biogen's a different kind of musician, always travelling the road less trodden. All law's broken - no chords, no build-ups and no traditional drum patterns. Instead Biogen offers listener's fragmented shredding's, constant irritations, glitches, imbalance—and enough creative ideas to supply a whole battalion of electronic musicians. His works are full of contrast. Occasionally soft and mellow - like a cloud in trousers - Biogen would call that 'sofa-trance'. Other times the music's harsh and uncompromising with uncomfortable, irrational beats and glitches - 'Weird-core' - a vast uncharted territory. Some might be tempted to connect the contrast and contradictions in his music to his long battle with manic-depressive disorder. But the disparity in his music is its strength, confounding and delighting the listener.
It's five years since Biogen passed away, but his influence is keenly felt among Icelandic electronic musicians. In the early '90s, Sigurbjörn 'Bjössi' .orgrímsson was a pioneer of the modern electronic scene as a member of the old skool hardcore band Ajax, who for a short time counted Goldie as vocalist, and cemented his reputation for pushing the limits under his Biogen pseudonym. His musical creations weren't made to serve the past or the present, but the future.
Each release and concert offered something different. Concerts were supposed to be challenging and engaging. His releases were not easy to come by and often he'd sell his music on Laugavegur - to unsuspecting tourists intrigued by his Viking-like appearance or mesmerised by his big blue eyes. He was a friend and a mentor to many; in 1995 he was a founding member of Thule Records, and in 2007 one of the leading forces in the Weird-core movement, a group of artists focusing on the unconventional. He'd encourage young artists to release their music into the cosmos - to make mistakes and learn from them - and that wouldn't be done while sitting in a basement. Many have memories of their first gig, watching a tall and comforting figure hovering above everyone else in the crowd. That was him, and it happened rarely that he wasn't there.
A fair amount of tracks on 'Halogen Continues' are previously unreleased, or self-released in very small amounts. The music moves from 'Irrelevant Information' where Biogen illuminates on 'Stabastab" a mysterious international institute he dreamt up, originally on the 'Mutilyn' LP that he handmade and sold himself. It was an anti-LP, a non-linear album of drones, crackles and weirdness. 'Bliss' is from the 1996 double CD compilation entitled "Icelandic Dance Sampler' that he helped compile. '303 Ambient' one of the recent works of the "Weird-core" era - also a regular event showcasing abstract electronica. He was the front man of the movement; regularly performing in Reykjavik with shows included lots of break-beats and 303's.
His creativity and freedom from tradition have seen Biogen gathering appreciation as an artist with the passing of time, and are hand in hand with the concept of . The artwork by Tombo is inspired by the idea of eternity and reverence after death. Nina compiled the tracks much like other album journeys on - 'I was in the car driving in the middle of nowhere in Iceland when I heard Biogen's music for the first time. Dramatic weather conditions outside probably influenced that instant emotional connection that I had with his music. Later navigating through a large archive of his recordings it took me some time until the album took form. I picked the most idiosyncratic cuts that show his creative approach most brightly. Some of them are short cuts ending obnoxiously with a lot of temper and others gorgeous atmospheric narratives - so deep and haunting that it feels like they are not familiar with a notion of time and dissolve slowly into the eternity. It's been an honour and felt exciting to have complied his work, a responsibility I feel keenly, and I hope he would like his music together in this album.'
Biogen's friend the Icelandic musician Ruxpin (Jonas Gudmundsson) who has worked to collect together Biogen's musical legacy through his DAT recordings and hard drives, and kindly granted Nina access to the files, provided much of the text for the press release. Following the album release of 'Halogen Continues', a further album of Biogen's ambient and experimental works will be released on GALAXIID later this year.

The mighty DHS with another brilliant "alien" and "UFO" friendly tripped out breaks/techno release, don't snooze..

Northern Irish Techno maestro EJECA is back with his fourth full-length EP on Shall Not Fade, following up on the sublime grooves of Free From. This time round, expect high-octane drama from the off; borrowing sounds from across the hardcore continuum EJECA shows off his skill for dance music production.

Take It EP's title track is a force of bouncing hardcore, harsh synths and firey vocals which begs to be played out in the early hours for a fever-pitch dancefloor, nonstop to the end. By comparison, "Away" is minimalist. Riding on a chunky bassline, the glittering melody rises slowly to create an effervescent soundscape with a driving beat.

The peaks and drops of "Clunk" are dizzying, a tight rave-influenced number closing the A-Side; B1 "Mallusk" builds the tension with elongated pads and rolling breaks. Take It closes out with "Static", an icy crescendo of cold vocal cuts and ghostly distortion holding the line between techno and noise.

Repress

***
stay with me,
everything mad,
sad men in glass houses
without doors.
***

(Sigha remix) Psyk returns to Non Series white after his first release back in 2012 with a three forceful, dancefloor oriented cuts and a sick Sigha´s remix. The record is a limited edition including an insert of an original design of Juan Mendez (Silent Servant).

Repress

Nina Kraviz' TRIP presents the debut album Am I Who I Am by Alina Izolenta and Kamil Ea, the duo more formally known as PTU. Across twelve tracks PTU cut and chop their way through frenetic marching drums and spiralling acid leads, awakening an army of malfunctioning robots as they go. Whilst Am I Who I Am boasts a vast spectrum of bizarre ideas - often introduced at high velocity - each one is executed with a skillful dose of restraint, summoning energy from microscopically detailed arrangements. From the angular maximalism of 'Castor & Pollux' to the eerie polyrhythms of 'After Cities' and the relentless hammer drills of 'Sirocco', PTU find life in the most extraordinary of places.