REVIEWS – Mark Neenan – Hard Techno / Acid – Issue 050 –
Music Reviews – Mark Neenan – Hard Techno / Acid – Issue 050 –
Welcome to my Techno review corner of Zone magazine. I’ve been a DJ and producer for nearly 30 years, driven by a deep passion for all shades of techno, while still holding love for breaks, electro, acid and old school sounds.
Along the way, I’ve launched the digital label Filth Infatuated (which hit its 100th release last year), co run unforgettable parties with my good friend MC DJ Ribbz, and held residencies with the amazing Collide and my Filthcast radio show is now on DI.FM, one of the longest-running global techno stations, after a great run of 8 years on the wicked Fnoob station (RIP).
From underground raves to major UK festivals, Amsterdam to Warsaw, I’ve lived and breathed the scene, and this page is where I share that same energy through music reviews.
Submissions – markneenanpromos@gmail.com
10/10 – Top Release –
Morbe – Bloom EP [PRTL WRX]
Dark, hypnotic rolling rhythms are what’s on offer from Georgian artist Morbe. Morbe’s new to me and this EP has just gained him a new fan! 4 original tracks and a remix from BLZS are included. ‘Defeat’ is my pick and an absolute beast! Its packed full of dark, hypnotic synths, rolling rhythmic percussion and a dark moody underbelly that steadily pulls the listener inward. The production is stripped back yet precise, emphasizing tension, groove, and atmosphere over excess. Very underground in spirit and designed for long nights and focused dancefloors. Excellent release yet again on PRTL WRX, Defeat is HUGE!
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9.5/10 – Recommended –
Stahlmann – StripBack EP [Biotech Recordings]
Biotech Recordings’ 121st release sees Irish techno artist Timo Stahlmann deliver StripBack, a sharp four track EP steeped in Detroit influence. Warm, driving grooves and machine funk rhythms sit alongside deep, atmospheric textures, giving the release a classic feel with a modern edge. Immaculately produced and tightly focused, ‘StripBack’ is a confident, dancefloor ready EP that nods to techno’s roots while sounding thoroughly contemporary. My favourite has to be ‘Search and Destroy’ which has an added jacking groove and clever wonky synth work. Great work!
8.5/10 – Klint – Korum EP [Arts]
French Techno producer Klint returns to the wicked Arts imprint with 4 quality underground cuts that balance club functionality with a refined sense of atmosphere. Each track is built around crisp, driving rhythms, but it’s the subtle sound design, shifting textures, restrained acid lines, and carefully timed drops, that gives the release its character.
“Shadow Ritual” is the EP’s heaviest moment, locking into relentless hardgroove rhythms with unapologetic force. Tough, driving beats collide with hypnotic zaps that spiral into a raw, trance inducing loop, making it a peak time weapon built for dark, sweaty floors.
9/10 – Balazs – Fragments [Silencio Records]
Hungarian artist Balazs_ releases his debut EP on Silencio Records, and it is a meticulously engineered and beautifully crafted 5 track offering of futuristic groove fuelled techno. All 5 tracks are absolute quality and each tells a different story, my pick though is. ‘Conceptual Theory’ which dives deep into underground territory, driven by hypnotic, rasping metallic synths that grind and shimmer in equal measure. Anchored by a tight, rolling techno groove, the track unfolds with subtle tension and control, balancing raw sound design with a fluid, dancefloor ready flow that keeps it locked in from start to finish. Excellent work!
9/10 – Michael Wells a.k.a. G.T.O. – The Night School EP [UKR]
It’s Always nice to receive a promo from Roman Zawodnys UKR imprint, you know exactly what you’re going to get with UKR, Underground quality guaranteed! From the Hard jacking sounds of title track ‘The Night School’ to the Excellent Old school rave stabs in ‘Space Walk’ through to the hypnotic bleeps of ‘Last Laugh’ This EP from the legendary Michael Wells is absolute quality from track 1 though to 5. Check it out now in all your usual stores!
8.5/10 – Patrick & Bee Morris – Full Rack EP [Keep On Techno]
Keep On Techno are up to release 199! Quite the accolade with number 200 just around the corner no doubt. For this release they have 2 Northern Irish artists i’m not familiar with, however I will certainly be following Caolan Patrick & Bee Morris going forward. The pair deliver two energetic originals rooted in modern, peak time techno. Both tracks are driven, punchy, and full of forward momentum, the standout for me though is ‘Waystead’, which injects a dose of wonky funk into its driving framework, adding extra character and groove while still keeping the momentum firmly aimed at the dancefloor.
The EP is rounded out with two well judged remixes from K-Deey and KOT A&R Coutts who puts his own stamp on ‘Waystead’ with a groovy, driving rework that keeps the energy high. Top work all involved!
8.5/10 – VA – Scotch Bonnet EP [Psychedelic Chilli Explosion 003]
Big V/A Vinyl release for Psychedelic Chilli Explosion’s 3rd release. Fast, furious and searing Acid Techno from label Boss Spliffy B with ‘Attack of The Hardcore Scotch Bonnet’ is up first, great work mate! Those excellent Swansea boys The SUSS Twins are back again with ‘The Day After The Night Before’ packed full of London acid funk and squelching evolving Acid lines, Ceri and Robi are favourites of mine and no doubt I’ll be rinsing this in my Acid sets!
Dirty Stable is up next, I met Duncan at a Vinyl Destination gig back in September, top man, top DJ and a great producer too. Lashings of hypnotic acid in this modern acid techno track, also packed with breakbeat fills and clever fx. Finally ‘Pulse’ from Hanke, is the total other end of the spectrum, dark, slow broody acid with tonnes of atmosphere and a cool female vocal stating ‘This Is How We Do It’. Good work! One for the Acid heads this, long may this Label continue to grow.
9/10 – Adam Munn – Utilities [Coda]
Adam Munn comes in hard on this new three-track EP, delivering a no nonsense slab of underground techno. All three cuts are heavy and rolling, built on dark, marching percussion and hypnotic loops that grind forward with real intent. It’s raw, stripped back, and clearly made for sweat filled rooms rather than easy listening.
Coming out of Belfast and shaped by his time as a CODA resident DJ, the EP feels honest and floor tested. There’s no fluff here, just weight, tension, and a deep understanding of how to keep a crowd locked in late into the night. Excellent work Adam!
9/10 – Various Artists FBI 005 EP [Foxbam Inc]
Foxbam Inc is back with there 5th release, Not strictly ‘Techno’ But lots of styles on this excellent EP on Foxbam. These releases are always pretty crazy, but always underground and always qualify.
Foxtrot is up first with ‘Tartan Tripper’, a bass heavy, searing and bubbling acid techno thumper with some cool Intro breakbeats. Collision’s ‘Plop Projekt’ is next up, the Dutch producer goes all in hardcore techno stylee (albeit at a more manageable BPM) heavy on the kick drum with some angry synth work packed full of energy, not forgetting the Mongolian Monk style throat singing / chanting. Epic!
Scotland’s Egebamyasi supplies ‘Blue Monday’ where funnily enough he delivers an eclectic and very wobbly take on said well known 80’s classic. Add to the mix hip hop reggae vocals, chunkier beats and a wicked groove, this will be a quirky weapon for a plethora of different genres. Skills!
Lastly, Minimum Syndicat close things out with ‘Tunnel Chase’, a dark moody fusion of rough electro, vicious acid and European techno. Great work! Out in April on all formats.