MATTIAS FRIDELL Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Swedish producers Alexander Johansson & Mattias Fridell get back to the drafting board - Blueprint Records - for a third release, following their 2023 EP 'Geometriska Strukturer' and the 'Marvatten' EP the year before. Active collaborators since the early 2000s, the pair have steadily contributed their precision-honed techno to labels such as Symbolism, Audio Assault, ARMS, XXX Records and H. Productions, alongside their own imprint, Lomsk, since 2022. Their latest 'Bentik Zone' comprises three hot, mode-choked techno tesla coils, themed after the topical Benthic zone: the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean, lake or stream, where deep-sea crustacean dwellers known as benthos lurk.

Review: Alexander Johansson and Mattias Fridell deliver a stripped-back techno workout across four focused cuts. The A-side leads with a thundering rhythm section that drives forward with a sense of urgency that feels both raw and precise. The second track shifts gears slightly, folding intricate percussion into a rolling groove that keeps the energy simmering. On the reverse, the duo ventures into more atmospheric territory, layering subtle synth textures over a steady, hypnotic pulse. With its tight execution and unrelenting focus, this EP solidifies Johansson and Fridell place as stalwarts of the Swedish techno scene.

Review: Swedish techno heavyweights unite on this special EP led by the legendary Cari Lekebusch, who brings over three decades of experience to the table. Alongside two equally forward-thinking producers, the result is a fine example in minimal yet infectious techno, driven by rhythm and sonic finesse. The A-side opens with 'Brassa Pa Lite', a mechanical techno cut that sounds like a dystopian engine room in motion. Its sci-fi sheen is matched by intricately programmed percussion and eerie synth flourishes that add a cinematic drama. 'Tant Gredelin' follows with a more primal energy, marked by crisp drum programming and an unusually playful yet deliberate sense of timing. Flip to the B-side and 'Hojtarolja' kicks in with a sharper edge. Futuristic and propulsive.. 'Mega Meckaren' comes out with a stomping warehouse feel and a subtle house swing. Definitely an exciting release from these three producers.