Review: Having appeared previously on one of its compilations, Michael Korb aka Klangkuenstler releases his full debut EP for Second State. "Dunkle Illusion" proves that the spirit of hardcore is very much alive in modern techno; "Razor" resounds to scary horror riffs as a cyber-punk groove and menacing bass plough their way through the foreground. Even more menacing is the title track, where Korb filters an ominous synth loop that breaks and builds over a pounding, acid-soaked rhythm. The Alignment remix of "Dunkle Illusion" is even more intense, as peak-time hardcore drums provide the basis for insane acid squelches.
Review: Klangkuenstler aka Michael Korb follows last year's releases for Filth On Acid with this slamming affair. "Lebendige Geister" follows the classic German techno-trance sound of the mid-90s, with pummelling techno drums supporting a haunting, epic synth melody. Streamlined but seductive, it's the kind of track you could imagine Sven Vath spinning back in the day. On "Acid Hotline", Korb goes for a similar approach, but this time his peak-time track is accompanied by a soaring acid line. He maintains the same intensity levels on "Teufels Schneide", but here grinding riffs accompany spiralling, Heckmann-like builds to the inevitable climax.
Review: Oliver Koletzki's minimal label pushes the contemporary club sounds that fit right in with the current status quo. Moonwalk and Rafael Cerato's "Phenomena" is a dark, melodic, journey track that would make Tale Of Us or Mind Against stand up and notice. Boy Next Door's killer peak time anthem "Lovely L" features a massive and razor sharp bassline supporting equally fierce elements for dance floor mayhem. Also of honourable mention are Berlin legends Channel X with the wonky and downright epic killer "Supernova" which will no doubt rock the house and KlangKuenstler's dark, rusty and downright bangin' "Drunk In Chicago".
Review: KlangKuenstler and Jiggler join forces and give a nod to the good old rave days on this split EP. KlangKuenstler's "Save The Rave" is a take on the '90s sound, complete with a brooding bassline and 303 acid flourishes. There is an brazen nod to rave, yet the artist manages to carve his own style in its arrangement by adding plenty of energy. "Impact" is a dark journey track where solemn strings build up tension, joined by eerie/hypnotic loops: but just wait for that breakdown. Klangkuenstlers second offering "Exodia" goes for that classic rave aesthetic too, with swirling synths and advanced rhythms. Finally, Jiggler explores a deeper route on the atmospheric "Stairs", a powerful, bass-heavy cut geared for absolute dancefloor drama.
Illyus & Barrientos - "Best Of Toolroom 2018" (continuous House mix) - (1:19:12) 124 BPM
Illyus & Barrientos - "Best Of Toolroom 2018" (continuous Tech House mix) - (1:19:17) 126 BPM
Review: As you'd expect, given the label's runaway success over the past few years, there are plenty of very familiar cuts on this 52-track 'best of' from the all-conquering Toolroom, including GotSome's tribal smash 'Nomad Chat', label boss Mark Knight's infuriatingly catchy, flute-driven Shovell collab 'Selecao', Mendo's sample-heavy G-houser 'Mooving' and CamelPhat's remix of Fatboy Slim. But there are plenty of less heavily rinsed gems on offer too, and with tracks from the likes of D.Ramirez, Leftwing & Kody, Dosem, DJ S.K.T and Dale Howard plus reworks of Sterling Void and Todd Terry classics, it's a no-brainer for tech-house jocks on a budget.
