TTensal returns for a third release on Kynant Records, ‘Industrialsociety’. He explores broken-beat and atmospheric techno over four diverse tracks: the off-kilter rhythm of ‘Intermixture’, two straighter, driving cuts and the melodic, IDM-leaning ‘Truebano’.
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TM404 & Echologist (aka Andreas Tilliander and Brendon Moeller) return with their second collaboration, this time including a remix from another standout dub techno artist in VRIL. The ‘Infiltrated’ EP has two boomy, 4x4 rollers on the A-side, VRIL’s broken-beat, ethereal version on the B1 and lastly the title-track, a twisted stream of grainy modulations.
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Japanese sound sculptors Steven Porter (aka Katsunori Sawa and Yuji Kondo) sign two striking productions to Kynant, with a pair of remixes completing the ‘Reservoir’ EP. ‘A Need For Distance’ on the A-side is abrasive and hard-hitting but not without moments of melody. Fellow Japanese purveyor of tripped-out techno Iori mines a lean, highly-effective groove on the remix. ‘Romance Tip’ takes a slower, endlessly-detailed approach with sharp percussion and mind- bending atmospherics; Max Durante, who recently released his debut LP on Kynant, contributes a broken-beat workout to finish the record. Mastering by Giuseppe Tillieci aka Neel.
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Max Durante’s first LP in a 30 year career, ’The Experiment’, is a new, left-field direction for an artist whose history traces from the birth of techno, through IDM, acid and electro. Spread over four sides of vinyl, ‘The Experiment’ consists of beatless pieces (which reveal another character when slowed to 33RPM), broken-beat techno and straight-up dancefloor trips.
The LP opens with eight minutes of full immersion in the eternally looped beat of ‘EX-P01’. It sets up the diverse yet distinctive, ambient-leaning tracks which make up the first 12”. On the C side, Durante’s focus is on the dancefloor, with hard-hitting, tense techno tracks made in collaboration with his peers from the early Roman scene, acclaimed duo Retina.it and half of Rephlex act D’Arcangelo. On the final side, ‘EX-P07’ is trademark Durante in the style of ‘Black Light’ (KYN001) or his recent records for Sonic Groove, before an ambient outro ends the experiment. The record was mastered by one of Rome’s following generation of techno artists, Giuseppe Tillieci aka Neel.
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TM404 & Echologist (aka Andreas Tilliander and Brendon Moeller) collaborate for the first time on ‘Bass Desires’.
Two of the leading artists in dub techno and ambient electronics produced four cuts between their enviable studios in New York and Stockholm, with the results sitting in between the powerful oscillations of Echologist’s previous EP for Kynant (KYN005) and the slo-mo, Roland jams TM404 specialises in.
The two A-side tracks are the most direct, with hard-hitting drums, soaring atmospherics and boomy reverb. Flip over and the record spaces out into cavernous bass vibrations; first the subterranean ‘Odyssey’ and then the melodic, modular twists of the 105BPM title track. Mastered by Neel.
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New versions of Tensal’s ‘Opposite Inertia’ EP, with a remake of his own and contributions from Mike Parker and Pangaea.
One the most distinctive artists in techno, Mike Parker, combines his signature, modulated bassline and sharp claps with the off-kilter rhythm of ‘Inertia 1’. Tensal’s remake of ‘Inertia 2’ is direct, peak-time gear. The synth line is kept front and centre, the beat is heavy and expertly arranged. Pangaea, of Hessle Audio, switches up the broken rhythm of ‘Inertia 3’ and adds the kind of unusual touches that make his records stand out.
Mastered by Giuseppe Tillieci aka Neel @ EnissLab Studio, Rome. Pressed at at Optimal Media. Packaged in a house sleeve. All artwork designed by Christopher Honeywell.
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Veteran dub techno producer Brendon Moeller dons his Echologist alias on 'The Flame' EP.
The title track is the most experimental, opening the record with tripped-out machine melodies and off-beat drum hits. 'Kavorka' follows in the same vein but is more obviously dancefloor-focused. Its arps build up the tension until a thick 303 line takes things to tipping point and eventually release. On the B-side, 'Dirtbox' is a fast-paced, Echologist take on warehouse techno and a deep, atmospheric cut 'Candy Mountain' finishes the record in Moeller's signature style.
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Melbourne-based Vohkinne joins Kynant with the ‘Wind Shadows’ EP. Its title track is a grinding techno trip with stop-start drums to switch up the rhythm in a room. The two B-side cuts are straighter dancefloor fare. The first, ‘Watching Over Us’, is a thick and heavy, hypnotising 4x4 track, ‘The Heretic’ more dynamic and unpredictable.
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Tensal is a solo project of Héctor Sandoval, a leading Spanish techno artist with an accomplished discography spanning 20 years, primarily as half of Exium. The four tracks of his ‘Opposite Inertia’ EP are each marked by the classic synth focus that defines the Tensal project, but cover separate moods within techno.
'Inertia 1' rolls out with unusual and off-kilter groove, whilst hi hats and sliding sub notes grow in intensity to the end. Inertia 2 and 3 are the peak time cuts. The first is all synth bleeps and a pumping low-end, the second more hyperactive with its flurry of tightly-wound bass and steely percussion. 'Inertia 4' brings the pace back down to a measured and more atmospheric close, tailored to the warm-up or time-out moments in a DJ set.
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Black Sand is a new collaboration combining techno sounds old and new.
The duo consists of Max Durante (who produced the first Kynant record) and fellow-Italian, DJ Datch. Their ‘Desert Island EP’ is heavy on drum machines and classic styling but produced with modern design.
'Abyss’ and 'Black Sea' begin the record with restraint, building a groove out of tense layers of underwater atmosphere and a tough low-end. The B-Side pushes the sound harder; the creeping drone of 'Dead Sea' is tailored for DJs to gradually build a room's energy, whilst 'High Tide' is peak-time material noticeably inspired by the 90s.
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Kynant Records looks first to a techno veteran in Max Durante.
Max has been active for over 25 years and is regarded as one of the pioneers of Italian techno and electro. Having recently joined the ranks of Adam X’s Sonic Groove imprint, Max continues to command a strong presence in the wider techno scene.
His first offering on Kynant is ‘Black Light’, a four-track EP of deep and physical, avant-garde techno. The A-side begins with the swung drums, drone and perc of ‘Black Light’ and continues the distorted, broken-beat theme with ‘Solar Request’. On the flip, ‘Biocentrism’ is more direct with its bleeps, sharp high-end percussion and weighty 4x4 kick. The master of hypnotic techno Donato Dozzy provides a remix of ‘Biocentrism’, looping the feedback into a powerful groove for the DJs.
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