Drumcode Sweden Vinyl & CDs

Review: Adam Beyer's notable techno label Drumcode seems to be as busy as ever of late. The label here rolls out a fourth part of its ongoing A Sides series, which is now up to volume 12. Though the Swede himself doesn't feature, some of his trusty sidemen do starting with Chris Avantgarde who brings big room, hard techno energy to 'The Last Time'. Bry Ortega keeps it just as intense with the machine-gun like synth fire of 'Discover 9', Massano brings some brighter synth loops to the stomping 'Betraya' and Spektre shut down with a mix of hardcore, trance and techno potency on 'Too Far Gone.' Some great DJ weaponry here, for sure.

Review: Now well over 300 rises deep, Swedish staple Drumcode is one of main room techno's mightiest ever imprints. Adam Beyer has stepped in though several sonic evolutions all while staying true to its original signature sound - namely drum heavy techno. Massano shows he has mastered that style with this new Telepathic EP. The title cut is lit up with video-style game synths that flash abut over acid touches and rolling kicks. 'Destructure' pairs whitings back and allows some freaky synths to entangle themselves around the drums and 'The Method' veers towards harder techno worlds with hints of trance.

Review: Phat bottomed Drumcode techno of grander proportions by way of festival favourite Massano. Following his stellar three-track EP 'Telepathic', the Simulate label head and future-thinker now offers us a stark mix of choppy leads and spitting, pressure-release snares here, in the form of 'The Lights'. His signature use of momentary 32nd notes, and a lasery lead line, functions as a nod to adjacent "big room" techno styles, while a modal swirling about a suspensory tonal centre offers much towards the way of a faintly Middle Eastern melody. As its many multilayered lead lines grow increasingly twinging and chaotic, so too does an atmoss of shocking tension grow in the rave-hangar.