Press Info:
Form and Function presents a compilation of 4 dancefloors orientated tracks by some of the label’s favorite producers. It marks the second episode of a new chapter where the label will focus on two styles. The Form series will have a diverse sound palette where the weird and beautiful come together. The Function series, on the other hand, have a focus on dancefloor orientated tracks.
On the A side, Thomas Hessler kicks things off with ‘9AM’. A track that’s both suitable for the peak-time moments as well as the late hours. This rhythmic voyage has a subtle rising-and-falling melody with some hints of trance.
Border One’s ‘Cenote’ is a funky groover that resonates well in any DJ set. A bell-like synth lurks you in and never let’s go throughout the entire track.
The B side kicks off with Phara’s ‘LFO Unit’ which is a true 90’s banger in his trademark style. Aggressive in both the percussion and kickdrum department. Add to this a soaring synthline and things will get messy on the dancefloor.
Last but not least is SP-X’s ‘Crossed in Flight’. Another funky groover that’s both timeless and mesmerizing. Fresh yet oldschool sounding techno that shakes things loose.
Press Info:
The latest vinyl release from Berlin-based label KONFLKT is signed by up-and-coming producer Introversion who’s been proving his worth with every release. Call to Adventure is no exception: all 3 rave-inspired tracks as well as the remix by Kas:st hit that sweet spot of hypnotic albeit galvanising techno.
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Paréidolie, the french word for Pareidolia (/pærɪˈdoʊliə/ parr-i-DOH-lee-ə) is a psychological phenomenon in which the mind responds to a stimulus, usually an image or a sound, by perceiving a familiar pattern where none exists.
AHXAT is first the name of an artist collective from Paris, created by painter Aude Haefflinger and musician Antoine de Tyssandier, wandering around different creative fields.
Antoine de Tyssandier is focused on music, producing abstract, hypnotic techno tracks with an experimental vibe and eerie atmospheres as well as narrative, sunless hybrid lives.
Press Info:
Five years ago Ancient Methods sealed the emissions of the eponymous label with the „Seventh Seal“. But one chapter remained to be written – the very first one. Labeled as a prequel to those seven releases „The Jericho Records“ materializes an idea, that has been in its creators head since the beginning of this project: to transform the biblical story and the accompanying picture, that can be found on almost all previous Ancient Methods releases, into sonic images.
However „The Jericho Records“ is not aiming to be a soundtrack in a traditional sense, but rather an attempt to create the pictures by the music itself. Throughout the three chapters of the album (The City Of Jericho, The Battle and The Aftermath, each represented on one vinyl) these pictures appear sometimes as a rather abstract scoring of a mood, for example the tiptoeing sequences of „Treason Creeps In“ or the orchestral, melancholic prospects of the final track „In Silence“. In contrast you find very figurative pieces like the rhythmic battle in „Swordplay“ or the impenetrable wall of sub-bass throughout the album’s opener „Walls“.
The album implements the „Music Will Tear Down Walls“ – approach, another conceptual layer that does not only radiate as one possible subtext from the ambiguous „Battle Of Jericho“ picture but has been also an integral and fertile part of Ancient Methods’ work to connect different music subcultures. It is just as conclusive to find all former collaborators with distinctive but yet coherent contributions being involved. Regis’ rough, „Gymnastics”-reminiscent synth lines fit seamlessly into the tribalistic assault of „Array The Troops“, whereas Orphx’ psychedelic noises in „The Seven Shofars“ manage to both pair up with the wall-shaking brass and deliver a stark contrast to the almost latenight-melancholic trumpet. Extraordinary vocal improviser Cindytalk delivers a moving, almost fragile sounding piece over dramatic strings („Moonset“) while industrial legend Prurient presents his impressive sonic and dynamic vocal range over epic 10 minutes („Walking On Cursed Soil“). For some the appearance of dark-folk majesty King Dude might be the surprise here, since only the keener listeners might have noticed the collaborative work. He ennobles the hypnotic percussions of „I Am Your New King“ with his unmistakable husky chants dignifying the track with true genre-bending qualities.
Albeit the typical machine stomp is not entirely neglected („Twelve Stones To Divide Jordan’s Sand“, „The House Of Rahab“) Ancient Methods’ broad influences emerge all over the record and burst through the „pitch black techno war funk“ (qtd Boomkat). Medieval liturgical chants fuse with techno-metal („Omen’s Duty“), global folk music is meeting post-punk („The City Awakes“), industrial parts explode and collapse into a „Knights & Bishops“-styled techno rave („Collapse and Crack In The Storm Of Lights“), early 90’s techno is melting into a wall of noise with („neo“)-classical shimmers („Walking On Cursed Soil“). The comprehensive use of the trombone is not only another reference to the Jericho picture but a confession to the creators favorite instrument, lending the album not only an orchestral but also a personal guiding thread.
Beyond the mere music one might discern contemporary statements here and there, e.g. when the composition of the opening track is juxtaposing a traditional western scale to a Phrygian scale divided by a central wall of bass, while the lyrics transform Kafka’s world-worn „Bridge“ into „Walls”. In any case inevitable to conclude: „The Jericho Records“ is a very personal artistic statement, mirroring the past of the project and leaving a foretaste of the things to come. And last – but certainly – not at least: It is an album you can dance to.
Listen:
Trailer:
Full Track Streaming:
“Array The Troops” (feat. Regis) edited version
Press Info:
VARIABLE is the first compilation on Pi Electronics, which also kicks off the new catalogue PEVA. This Various artist release includes the works of several artists involved in the label till now, along with some very familiar faces to π that have been supporting the parties in the past years. The aim was to bring the main label roster – artists with original music on PI, such as JK Flesh, Ontal and Damcase – under the same roof as artists that have been with the Pi Electronics project since its early days: the label’s party residents; 3.14, Nemmett and DΛS along with other fellow Athenians; Unhuman, BMSK and the project “I am Legion, for we are many.” The outcome will be available in CD, Vinyl and Digital format, while the vinyl sampler will feature JK Flesh, Ontal, Nemmett and BMSK.
Regardless of the different variables, equation drops back to the same constant result. Divide and Rule. Sticks over Carrots. Repent or Collapse.
