Review: Layton Giordani returns to Adam Beyer's label after 2020's New Generation album with this intense two track EP. The title track features grinding riffs playing out over a pulsating rhythm and a brooding bass as Giordani adds in some spooky synth lines. It makes for a tough but distinctive slice of peak-time techno. "Astro" follows in a different vein: as its title suggests, it's built on a pulsating rhythm and majestic synths making for an atmospheric but impactful track. Like his previous release on Drumcode, Hyper World consolidates the American producer's reputation for making lean but effective club techno.
Review: 2020 was a pivotal year for Marco Faraone, with his No Filter album consolidating his position as an emerging techno force. Now he's back on Drumcode with his fourth standout EP for the label. "Burn Down" centres on a humming bass and epic hooks, which provide the backdrop for dazed indie vocals. The title track sees Faraone focus on a similarly foreboding bass, but this time he deploys it in combination with eerie synths and a stream of consciousness vocal narrative. "Orbital" is a more tranced out affair, with Faraone laying down a pulsating bass and atmospheric melodies, while the warbling hooks of "Magic Sunset" close out the release in epic fashion.
Review: Two techno heavyweights come together for their debut collaboration - and naturally Drumcode is the perfect outlet. In its original format, "We Don't Know.." draws on Fitzpatrick's trademark drums and and Mull's ability to craft searing, impactful basslines. Combined with Frangie's ponderous vocal narrative and tranced out synths, these elements all come together to create a compelling track. The release is also remarkable in that it features the first remix in over two years from label boss Adam Beyer. In his hands, it morphs into a lean, linear affair. Centred on dubbed out drum, snappy percussion and a menacing bass - the perfect backdrop for those alluring vocals.
Review: After 15 years putting out dance floor techno, Jay Lumen finally makes his solo debut for Drumcode. While it's hard to believe that this is the first time he has flown solo for Adam Beyer's imprint, rest assured that the Footwork Audio boss doesn't disappoint: the title track upholds the label's tradition of using powerful, moody bass. In this instance, Lumen combines a rumbling low end with dramatic chords, subtle vocal snatches and a succession of impactful drops and filters. Meanwhile, "Mind" is more intense: Lumen deploys insistent acid bleeps and repetitive vocal samples over doubled up claps and a jacking, pile-driving rhythm.
Review: It's fair to say that Irish producer Rebuke is on a roll; riding high on the success of previ-ous releases on Drumcode, he consolidates his reputation for delivering impactful club techno with Wasp. The title track is led by detuned tones and eerie synth sweeps cascad-ing over a bleary bass. It's an alluring combination that sets him apart from the wave of identikit club techno. On "Evolution", the Irish producer opts for a more moody approach, dropping a dark, ominous groove populated by barb wire percussion and epic filter sweeps. Meanwhile, "Clarity" integrates trance elements with a metallic rhythm, while "Redemption" resounds to atmospheric synths and clanging, broken down percussion.
Review: Having previously released on Drumcode's A-Sides compilations, Thomas Hoffknecht now gets a full EP on the label. Combining tough drums with musical elements, this fast rising producer's work shines brightly here. "Sirius" combines tranced out synths with dreamy vocal samples, while on the title track, whooshing filters roll in over a pounding groove. "Comet" is based on a similar rhythm track, but this time the musical elements are darker, with synth stabs and razor sharp percussion hitting hard. "Wega" is more understated, but the power of its belching acid line and vocal snatches should not be underestimated, while "Regulus" rounds out this fine Drumcode debut with chiming bells and dramatic synths.
Review: Having released on Dirtybird and Saved, Reuben Keeney aka Rebuke now debuts on Drumcode. The title track features Pump Panel-style acid lines, unravelling over a club-primed rhythm that is sure to appeal to fans of the label. On "Operator", he delivers a pumping track led by tribal drums and skeletal percussion that breaks down to the sound of laughter and a buzzing synth riff before a succession of snare rolls achieve the requisite effect. "Metal", which closes out the release, is somewhat less hard-hitting, but it sees Keeney work with just a few elements - a clanging bass and rolling drums - to deliver a powerful club tool.
Review: Camargue is one of the techno classics from the 90s - a track that appealed to hardcore fans and UK techno geeks alike. So what happens when it gets remixed a quarter-century later? Maceo Plex turns in a drum-heavy, rolling take on the original, while the Keith Carnal take is a high-paced, pulsating workout. On his version, Enrico Sangiuliano chooses to drop a siren-led banger, while label owner Adam Beyer's collaborative remix with Layton Giordani has echoes of the 90s trance sound. Best of all though is Camargue co-creator The Advent's take, where he drops the original's unmistakable hook over a bruising techno rhythm.
Review: It's interesting to follow how Tiger Stripes aka Mikael Nordgren's sound has progressed over the years, from deep house into the type of tough but funky techno that prevails on this EP for Drumcode. "Recluse" is a pumping, metallic affair that cruises along at 130bpm. Featuring tripped out vocal samples, wild percussive bursts and effective builds and drops, it's big-room techno at its finest. "Until the Early Light" sees Nordgren slow down the tempo; over a growling bass and dubbed out chords, he draws on his house background for the soulful vocal sample. In contrast, "Ignition' is a tough, functional affair, led by a rolling rhythm, while "Ride" sees this talented artist draw on trance influences for a euphoric finale.
Review: Dutch techno hero (and Drumcode staple) Bart Skils and ascendant Canadian Weska first met in 2013, when Skils played Toronto's iconic Coda - where Weska was a regular. When the latter migrated to Berlin, a plan was hatched to collaborate. Meeting up in Amsterdam to finish the work, this powerful EP is the result. From the tunnelling euphoria of "Polarize" which is perfect is perfect to get the kids trancing out under the strobe, to the moody and adrenalised thriller "Lost On You" which is could signal the peak time better than no other - this is for serious DJ use only.
Review: This collaboration, originally released last year on Adam Beyer's label, now gets two different but equally effective remixes. First up is the Pleasurekraft pair with a peak time version. Underpinning the original track's vocals with a visceral bass, heads-down drums and murky riffs, it strikes a flawless balance between being functional and Pleasurekraft's idiosyncratic sound. John Monkman, who has released on Kompakt and Crosstown Rebels, has also supplied a remix. At first, his take sounds understated thanks to its low-slung rhythm and a more subtle use of the vocals, but a series of drum rolls quickly propel it towards the big room.
Review: Over the past few years, Boxia has built up his profile thanks to releases on We Are the Brave and Drumcode. These Eps have acted as tasters for his debut album, which lands on Adam Beyer's label. A Night... starts impressively with the title track, a streamlined, linear affair; the epic, fist-pumping builds of "Under The Bridge" and wild acid pirouettes on "Complex Club". The UK producer displays a more measured version of his dance floor productions on the vocal sample-heavy "Unofficial Everything" and "Out of Focus", where he combines tripped out acid lines with spliced up vocals. There is also a more reflective side to Boxia's approach, audible on the dub-infused "Sunshine State" - but in the main A Night... is a reminder of his peak-time prowess.
Review: Following on from releases on Suara and Noir, Ruiz makes his debut on Drumcode. It's an expertly weighted release that balances dance floor needs with some truly distinctive flourishes. The title track is built around powerful kicks and firing percussion before the Brazilian producer drops a pulsating electronic bass that surges and builds with all of the raw, twitchy power that you'd expect from a Terrence Fixmer record. On the flip, "Unveil" sees Ruiz drop machine-gun blasts of percussion over concrete kicks; these elements act as a basis for crackling, detuned electronic riffs that will ignite any club like lightning strikes in the night sky.
Review: Adam Beyer's label deserves praise for snapping up this collaboration from veteran producers Laux and Mull. Given their calibre and experi-ence, it's no surprise that Centipede is an impressive EP. "Contour" sees the pair go deep as they drop a sinewy, rolling bass. Meanwhile the title track - and the accompanying Morph version - are both more fast-paced, riding suitably atmospheric, tranced out grooves to blessed out nirvana. In stark contrast, there's "Bullet Ant"; led by wild acid licks and a pounding rhythm, it sounds like a modern interpretation of "Sub-stance Abuse" by Richie Hawtin's FUSE project. This release shows that no matter what they turn their hands to, Laux and Mull do not disap-point.
Review: Following on from last year's release on Terminal M, Veerus now makes his debut on Adam Beyer's Drumcode imprint. The title track is a wonderfully menacing affair, led by an ominous bass that twists and turns with a menacing swagger. Coupled with its acidic undercurrent and utilitarian snare rolls, the track sounds like a modern, lean take on Richie Hawtin's F.U.S.E. project. On "Apocalypse", the mood isn't quite as bleak as before, but a similar combination that brings together belching low end and spiralling 303s demonstrates again that this emerging Italian producer has become a name to watch.
