MARK NEENAN – TECHNO / ACID REVIEWS – Zone Magazine Issue 047

LUKE’S ANGER / JEROME HILL / WARLOCK / THE HORN  – THE O.G. EP  (BROCKOUT 001) 

10/10 – Release Of The Month – Available on 12’’ Vinyl and Digital from July.

Fresh new label out of Devon brought to you from the Brockout crew (Ed Oliver, Markutz and newly instated resident MsOgyny (Shibby)  I’ve known these guys for years and they certainly know there onions, and for release numero uno, they have bought out the big guns (The O.G’s if you will) 

The Warlock track ‘Flash Crash’ is a bleep filled techno tune with a raw, energetic feel. It features sharp and aggressive ride cymbals that push the rhythm forward, solid beats that are clean and stripped back, and a few laser like sounds that add extra edge. Up next ‘Planet Twerk’ by the wicked  Luke’s Anger has a loose, bouncy feel with a groove that twists and turns in a fun way. The beats are strong and jacking, keeping the rhythm lively, while the bleeps add a playful edge. It’s full of energy and character and made to get people moving without overthinking it.  

‘HodgeBodge’ by The Horn is well quirky! It stands out with its unique mix of deep, warped violin chords, sharp clanking percussion, and fast paced beats. It’s a track that takes a different path, blending dark textures with driving rhythm, creating a sound that feels both strange and exciting.  

My favourite of the EP though has to be that man Jerome Hill with ‘Red Alert’ it’s packed full of energy, with rolling 909 toms, shuffly hi-hats, and a strong, groove fuelled bassline. A repeating “Red Alert” vocal adds tension, while a warped acid style synth brings out the wonky dancing crew! The sound of spray cans shaking as extra percussion gives it a gritty, offbeat feel that keeps things fresh on this crisp slab of quality techno (all of which have been expertly mastered by Ben Pest too!)  

 

BLAME THE MONO – DAVID OBLIVION / MILLHOUSE / SCOTT KEMIX  – CHANNEL 009 (INTERRUPTION RECORDS) 

9/10 – More good stuff from the wicked Interruption records

David Oblivion’s Interruption Records returns with CHANNEL009, a no nonsense four track VA release showcasing peak time underground techno from Blame The Mono, David Oblivion, Millhouse, and Scott Kemix. Staying true to the label’s raw ethos, this release is built on relentless percussive drive, stripped down power, and pure functional energy. Tough, rolling grooves and searing kicks make this one strictly for the heads – zero compromise, maximum impact! 

All four tracks are ace, ‘Steamroller’ by Millhouse  is a seriously heavy and rolling industrial affair and Blame the Mono’s energetic and tough groove fuelled thumper ‘Cash Money’ is cheekily packed full of  ‘Prodigy, Girl’s’ samples. Big festival tune this will be! David’s ‘Untitled’ tune is a tough warehouse banger full of quirky noises in his own unique style (Which is getting him noticed by some of the BIGGEST artists and labels out there!) Scott Kemix is back with a bang and his track ‘Fuck This Track Up’ is a slamming tribal hardgroove affair full of energy and a cool use of the title vocal.   

 

THE POPULISTS  – GIT GUD  (DEADBEAT RECORDS) 

8/10 – This one’s going to be tough to ignore

Yan Wagner returns as The Populists with “Git Gud,” a high-energy cut that blends tongue-in-cheek rave sensibilities with pounding club rhythms. It’s the lead single from his upcoming Extrême Intensité EP, due later this summer via Deadbeat Records, and it’s already shaping up to be a seasonal favourite. Full of attitude and edge, it rides the line between playful Tech House and intense Quirky Deep Techno. 

Adding to the hype, Mr Ho steps in with a remix set to drop June 25. It’s a slick, floor focused rework that pushes the original into peak time Techno territory. With follow up track “Bear Knuckles” on the way and the full EP landing July 18. 

DIMI ANGELIS  PRESENTS – ANGLS 15  (ANGLS RECORDS) 

10/10 – Recommended Track Of The Month for  ‘The Lust of Flesh’. 

Dimi Angelis returns with a blistering 4 track Techno EP of epic proportions! Each track hits with mechanical precision and unrelenting force. It has a raw and rebellious punk energy about it and I cannot get enough! The whole EP is seriously wicked, but track one – “The Lust of Flesh” jumped straight out at me and will be a mainstay in my sets for the next few months that’s for sure. It has a layered, psychedelic wasp sounding acidic synth line that builds and spirals into utter chaos. The beats are dark, tough and rolling accompanied by crisp mechanical percussion full of movement. You REALLY need to hear this track.  

 

SIRA  – SURFACING  (X/Y/SECRET) 

8.5/10 – Expertly crafted proper Techno from Sira, check it! 

For its ninth outing, X/Y/Secret brings Berlin based producer Sira into the spotlight with ‘Surfacing’, a finely tuned study in restraint and atmosphere. These are tracks that thrive in the tension between space and movement – crafted with the dancefloor in mind, but never in a rush to dominate it. 

The title track leads with a minimalist framework, each element introduced with intention. It has a lush deep hypnotic feel and some excellent movement in the percussion elements offering DJs the kind of flexibility that rewards long blends. On the flip, Phil Berg’s remix strips things down even further, sharpening the original’s hypnotic edge into a more concentrated tool. 

Closing the record is ‘Diluted’ which happens to be my pick. Tough, rolling tribal grooves of the highest order! 

 

 

FOXTROT / VIKKEI / EGEBAMYASI / GEZ VARLEY  – VARIOUS ARTISTS EP (FOXBAM INC 004) 

9/10 – Another top release on Sexy LTD Edition Vinyl and Digital from those Crazy Eggs at FoxBam!  

Foxtrot is up first on this sexy slice of grey marbled vinyl (That was loving sent to me by Eggspress delivery just before the deadline!) and he supplies a well squelchy acid number that is right up my street! Full of bubbling 303’s, crisp punchy beasts all driven along by a hefty sub bass and some cool vocals and fx. The third drop on this is killer and it comes in all guns blazing with such movement on the hats and added squelch on the 303.  Italian acid producer Vikkei supplies track two, which is an excellent thundering hard techno hit called “Hip ‘n Crack” whilst label Boss Egebamyasi explores some bass driven wobbly dubstep with ‘Mandubchester’ excellent wonky basslines with added acid! Last up is the legendry Gez Varley (of LFO fame!) with ‘Saturn One’ where he supplies a right space aged groover in his signature techno style and adds some cinematic vibes for good measure! 

 

SYM & H-R-Z  – PREDINSTINATO EP  (SOCIEDAD GROOVE RECORDDS) 

8.5/10 – Great release is this! 

SYM & H-R-Z who are unbeknown to me, come through swinging with a fresh five tracker that doesn’t pull any punches. The EP’s three original cuts ‘Il Predestinato’, ‘Pawteh’ &  ‘United Forces’ tap into the core of driving techno, from rolling hardgroove rhythms to tougher, metallic workouts. There’s a hypnotic thread running through it all, but don’t expect softness! This is quality peak hour material through and through and I will be keeping an eye on SYM & H-R-Z that’s a certainty. 

The two remixes round things out nicely, each offering its own spin while keeping the energy dialled high. Italian M.I.T.A. adds some more Tribal funk  to his quality version, whilst the JXXXO Remix goes in hard and bouncy.  

 

ACERBIC – SOUND OF THE SILVER BOX E.P. (DEXSTAR RECORDINGS) 

8.5/10 – Top release on this ace new Label!  

Acerbic is on absolute fire of late (Hence the Album of the month last time) But I couldn’t not include this on new label Dexstar (Which they lovingly sent me 001 on Promo last month) For the Second release, Ant supplies three A* Grade Acid bangers and some locked grooves. Title track ‘Sound Of The Silver Box’ is as expected a peak time heavy acid techno track with cool vocals, searing 303’s and a thumping fat kick! All the tracks are great but my favourite is probably ‘Future Frontier’ which is a bit tougher and with even more squelch to the acid!