Drumcode Sweden Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Over two decades into its lifespan, Adam Beyer's Drumcode imprint keeps evolving and excelling, pushing techno forward while remaining wholly respectful of its roots. On Part 3 of A Sides Vol 7, Beyer brings in the scene's top guns to expertly execute some main room peak-time action. On the first side, it's an undeniably Dutch affair with Amsterdam hero Bart Skils stepping up to deliver the deeply hypnotic tunnel vision of "West Of The Moon", while veterans Secret Cinema & Reinier Zonneveld deliver the darkly druggy dancefloor drama of "Pain Thing". On the flip, Pig & Dan should need no introduction and are in fine form as always on the adrenalised "Pushing On" while ascendant Aussie Juliet Fox similarly impresses on "Wanted Me".

Review: Adam Beyer teams up with Pig & Dan on the new Capsule EP and they sure aren't messing around. The Drumcode boss knew he could call upon his label stalwarts for EP packed full of main room power tools with the peak time in mind. The adrenalised, forceful stomp and grind of the title track gets things off to a good start, while the druggy and head rush inducing muscle of "In Love" is bound for some real hands in the air moments. On the flip "We Are E" leaves little to the imagination on this heady and bass driven trip through the early hours of a heaving stadium dancefloor... where things are starting to get real weird. Then those ravey church organs come in and it starts getting right crazy!

Review: Igor Tchkotoua & Dan Duncan met on a flight to Spain and the rest as they say: is history. Their driving minimal/tech house sound has only gotten stronger over the years, culminating in this release for Adam Beyer's esteemed home of hard techno Drumcode. The classic rave techno of "Chemistry" is up there with anything that Alan Fitzpatrick or Special Request have done of late with its adrenalised warehouse euphoria. It's no more Mr. Nice Guy after this though. The powerful stomp of "Ukraine" is Berghain ready with its industrial strength rhythms and harsh static blasts, compressed between doom laden, dubby stabs. Finally on the flip, the brooding dancefloor drama of "Devotion" signals the end with its sinister and mesmerising melodies: reminiscent of Stephan Bodzin yet still powered away by a Berlin style stomp beneath.

Review:  Pig & Dan are back with what could be their most ferocious offering yet. The Mexico EP starts out with the stripped and tunnelling hypnotism of the title track or the particularly atmospheric "The Licker"; these are tracks that make a great DJ tool for any serious DJ. "Chez Dre" is a thick slab of industrial style techno with a wall of bass that will topple crowds, plus those dub techno stabs and CJ Bolland style mentasms for added fear factor! Hammering the message home is the rather crowd friendly "Point Blank" with its infectious synth lead getting some of those Bodzin or Jonson style moments of euphoria in effect!

Review: Unbelievably, Drumcode Records celebrates its 25th year in business in 2021. Adam Beyer's popular imprint has already delivered a swathe of must-check releases this year, and this collaborative outing from Pig & Dan and Victor Ruiz is another that label fans would do well to take note of. A-side 'Consciousness' is particularly potent, with the trio adding gnarly, mind-melting, dark room-ready riffs to a throbbing, trance-inducing techno groove. If tech-trance/neo-trance isn't your thing, turn to the flip. They're you'll find the moody and stomping big room techno of 'Music Takes You' - all doom-laden stabs and kick-drum driven heaviness - and the more melodious, colourful and rushing peak-time bliss of 'Silk', whose lengthy breakdowns are likely to send shivers down the spines of suitably refreshed dancers.

Review: The all powerful Drumcode label still does a fine line in big room techno after countless years and even more releases of the stuff. This third part of the A Sides collection brings together a towering selection of names from that scene including Tiger Stripes with the smooth cruise that is 'Altar'. Veterans Pig & Dan vs Gregor Tresher get more intense with frosty loops and dubby hits building a vibe and Wehbba ups the ante with acid daubs and fizzing drums on 'The Next Step.' Nicole Moudaber's 'Come To My Beat' (feat Romina) then hammer home a hefty techno groove.