Back catalogue: Techno (Alles)

Review: Granada's Cosmic Tribe know the definition of "electro" in its broadest sense; their new Xtrictly Electro comp keeps the dystopian sound endemic to the genre's most present incarnation, but refuses to restrict itself to one tempo: the standard 130-ish that has sadly infected the otherwise genius genre as a necessity. An international splinter cell of spec-ops and mercenaries are recalled from retirement here, as we hear Calagad 13, Nachtwald, EC13 and many more mechanoid ilk lay down all manner of slick utilities, making up a morbid multi-tool. 5zyl brings further lasery Lithuanian steeze on 'Vilnius Bass', whilst Spectrums Data Forces betrays the existence of a sinister corporate entity, whose business model works towards the object of instilling 'Darkness In My Head' through giant, killer mozzy basses.

Review: Dookuzot is the entrancing debut from Floid & W92 aka Woody92, and it's released on their own Omen Wapta imprint. Across eight tracks, they craft a labyrinthine soundscape full of shadowy textures, tribal rhythms and eerie, dissonant tones that feels both ancient and futuristic-an ambient-techno blend that channels family history into sonic myth-making. Standout 'Maushe' hints at dancefloor tension, while 'Veriyou' is seriously deep and heady as part of what is a haunting, high-definition journey through imagined realms and moody post-human worlds.

Review: This four-track compilation draws a tight line between warehouse muscle and emotional lift, delivering techno that's as moving as it is functional. Each cut brings a distinct perspective, yet they all share a sense of cinematic build and focused production. Gregor Tresher starts with 'Bonegrinder', a slow-burn builder that creeps forward before erupting into a peak-time workout. The groove is tight, the progression deliberate and when it hits full stride, it lands with impact. 'Cascade Rips', a collaboration between Works Of Intent and Voltaire, brings a different mood entirely. Its rolling bassline sits beneath a futuristic synth lead that feels both suspenseful and strangely touching. There's emotion under the surface and it simmers just right. On the Side-B, Marco Bailey drops 'Arcane', built around raw drum machine sequences and electro pulses. It grooves hard with a throwback vibe, nodding to early rave with metallic melodies and vocodered snippets that recall Kraftwerk without mimicking. The closer, 'Perditae' by Tom Hades and Soren Aalberg, floats into a more euphoric space. Its rising melody and ghostly vocals feel like they're beamed down from the heavens. A smartly curated collection of peak and soul.

Review: Guess who's back and peeking out of the shadows with more warehouse-ready and deadlines than ever techno? Chicago's Beau Wanzer, that's who, and this is another wonderfully unhinged release on his self-run label. Grimy, raw and as off-kilter as ever, this is wigged out techno for freaks and misfits. His twisted machine funk brings industrial grit and lo-fi crunch across a series of no-frills weapons. The opener is as unsettling as it is irresistible. 'Rhythm Track 46b' is ramshackle and grubby, 'Trial Of The Decade' is a swampy prowler, 'Excellent Exaggerator' is metal being fed into a meat grinder and 'Better Judgement' is a depraved beatdown. 'Crunch Bunch' is the best of the lot with its analogue drums, hissing leads and coruscated pads.

Review: After recently singing to Ministry of Sound, Wh0 - Robert Chetcuti, formerly of Rhythm Masters- continues his ascension in the dance music world with a 12" for esteemed label, Rekids. The original mix is a polished club weapon that blends sensual grooves with deeper house textures. Wh0's ability to layer catchy vocal hooks with finely tuned production helps the overall sound and the intricate changes. With over 30 singles to his credit in less than a decade, he keep the volume up as well as the quality. Adding firepower to the release is the remix from Catz 'n Dogz, who take the original into more intense techno territory. Their rework simmers with suspense before breaking into a charged, kinetic drop. Where Wh0's version leans into flirtation and bounce, Catz 'n Dogz opt for a tougher, warehouse edge. Together, these two versions provide a versatile one-two punch for DJs.

Review: This is a highly sought-after slice of 90s Detroit techno well cherished by those who like machine soul and siren futurism from the Motor City. It is now reissued, so those who consider it a holy grail are sure to rejoice as it has also been smartly remastered and features two remixes that were never officially released, with only a limited number of white label copies originally distributed as promos by 430 West. 'Vocoder' glistens with cosmic synths that twinkle like distant stars over a rubber, bouncy bassline. Remix 1 is more dark and rugged, and remix 2 has a heftier low end and more snap in the drums. It all makes for high class mind and body music.

Review: With nearly 20 releases under his belt, this seasoned German producer delivers a strong techno EP that fluidly bridges multiple styles while maintaining a cohesive, forward-facing vision. Drawing from techno, tech house, electroclash and even breakbeat house, the EP moves with confidence and a subtle experimental streak. 'Klobb' starts with a sleek and sleazy futuristic edge. Its dark, pulsing rhythm and eerie melody create a fun-but-serious mood. 'You're Slipping Away' follows, diving deep into EBM and darkwave-inflected territory. It's a relentless and commanding track. 'Hush' flips the energy on its head, a welcome slowdown that leans into downtempo vibes. The B-side has 'Am I Making Sense', a bold techno cut with pristine sound design and a sense of urgency. It's big and atmospheric, with drums that punch through the mix cleanly. The EP closes on 'Rana Temporaria', a track that combines dynamic groove work with melodic tension and a slightly edgy twist. An ideal closer for a set or a record that resists easy categorisation. A confident, genre-fluid EP with some versatility too.

Review: Rene Wise returns to Dustin Zahn's Enemy Records with a potent follow-up to his 2022 debut 'Jungle House'. This EP delivers four hypnotic, heads-down techno cuts in his trademark style. The A-side leans into minimalism with 'Anxiety' and 'Insomnia' both bringing stripped-back, tripped-out moods that are built from subtle textures, deep grooves and eerie synth work. On the B-side, Rene ventures into more experimental territory while retaining the moody essence. 'Sakar' builds tension with a constantly evolving synth line, while 'Cutting Thick' brings percussive flair and staccato basslines for the release's most rhythmic, funk-infused moment.

Review: In the formative years of his career in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ricardo Villalobos frequently utilised a handful of alternative production aliases - first Minta Spacew (one EP way back in 1993) and then more frequently Richard Wolfsdorf. Tia, first released way back in 2000, was the Chilean minimal maestro's second outing under that alias and has become a sought-after EP in recent times - hence this Rawwax reissue. A-side 'Echt Rot' is typically Playhouse-era Villalobos, with cut-up vocalisations, odd noises and spaced-out electronic snippets riding a crunchy minimal-house beat and looped, mind-mangling TB-303 bassline. Title track 'Tia' features simmering orchestral samples clustering around a typically wonky, stripped-back beat, while 'Feurwasser' sounds like the blueprint for many of his later minimal techno workouts.