Greyscale Lithuania Vinyl & CDs

Review: .While he's contributed to the label's output before, Vayu The God of Wind marks the first time ADILR (real name Hampus Johan Karlsson Andersson) has served-up a full-length excursion. Given that his brand of deep and dubby techno is arguably tailor-made for the album format - it's all about immersive sound design, slowly shifting electronic motifs, and grooves so deep and hushed that they're practically subterranean - this is something of a surprise. There's no doubt he's delivered, though, serving up a set of largely elongated workouts that sit somewhere between the outer-space explorations of Echospace, the icy soundscapes of fellow Scandinavian producer Biosphere, and the deep techno work of his Greyscale label boss Grad_U.

Review: After four appearances on Lithuania's Greyscale, Ajnkana delivers his first long player Integers Equations, with more than an hour of "tangibly eerie, atmospheric chords", ambience but not ambient-edged beats and dubby effects either destined for play on deeper dancefloors or comedown soundtracking post-party living room sessions. The titles may be blank as anything, all binary and consisting of 1s and 0s in slightly different orders, but the instrumental, slowly-enveloping tracks have plenty of personality. Fans of Sahko, Chain Reaction and Ilian Tape's more esoteric offerings will love it.

Review: There is something faintly unsettling about Forest Land, the debut album from Greyscale Mood Series regular Altone. Musically, the ten showcased tracks are rooted in dub techno and feature many musical elements associated with the style - think deep sub-bass, echoing, reggae style piano riffs, ambient electronics, field recordings and incredible sound design. Yet none of these tracks sound like "dub techno by numbers", something we attribute to the producer's frequent use of off-kilter, unorthodox rhythm patters and metallic, almost industrial percussion sounds. In other words, it may be as atmospheric and - at times - meditative as other dub techno releases, but it's also a whole lot creepier too. An album well worth further investigation.

Review: Greyscale's next album release comes from German-based producer Audhentik, with 14 pieces that lean on the twin aligned worlds of ambient and dub. The evocative black and white photo, of waves headed for the shore and a single figure stood on the shoreline, is significant - there's a watery theme to tracks like the bubbling sonic whirlpools like 'Cast Away' and 'Crackle Dub' and the undulating echoes of 'Float' and 'Static', lapping gently at your heels. "My goal was to create something which you can enjoy at home on your headphones and also for outdoor festivals or afterhours vibes in clubs with big floors," Hypno commented on the LP, and while this is definitely chill out material with heavy dub echoes to really lose yourself in, there's plenty of moodswings and vivid aural storytelling going on, meaning it works beyond the confines of the purely horizontal.

Review: Banyek is next up on the prolific Lithuanian label Greyscale with Alue, a new album that marks the imprint's 37th full-length overall. It is a typically expansive and immersive listen that takes inspiration from cities like Riga and Espoo. Dub techno, ambient and experimental all infuse the sound waves and the intricate craft of Banyek means you're always hooked onto some small detail as the gentle rhythms flow over you. There are stark melodies and more airy atmospheres, minimalism masterpieces and calming sounds a plenty as this most super exploration of tone, time and texture plays out.

Review: Ambient tech house is often overlooked as a genre - too subtle for the clubs and too intense for relaxation. This is what makes the subgenre so special though, at the intriguing and cerebral meeting point of ambient dub and techno comes something 'other than' and thought provoking. 'Pattern Explorations' lies at that crossroads, the sounds rattling through your skull. The use of reverb and negative space makes the soundscape almost transcendent, elevating the listener to a different plane of sound on 'Pattern Exploration II', with the listener eventually being pulled into motion as new elements and grooves are added into the mix with each passage, like a boat slowly drifting out to harbour.'Pattern Exploration IV' is where the techno half of the brain takes over, as acid lines and rhythms are introduced into the chemical formula.

Review: Phenomena is a rather incredible 39th full-length album from the pioneering Lithuanian dub techno label Greyscale. Like all those that went before it, it is a captivating excursion into cavernous sounds. In particular, this one delves into the wonders of nature - meteor streams and starling murmurations - and flips them into immersive soundscapes. In mixing up vintage and contemporary styles, Basicnoise navigates deep emotional depths with technical finesse. 'Midnight Dub' has lush and organic chord progressions, 'Sakura Season' pays homage to Detroit techno's smooth, futuristic spirit and 'Reduxtion II' delivers crisp production and powerful frequencies. These are just some standouts along the way of this profound musical odyssey.

Review: The superb Greyscale project from the Lithuanian label continues with another gorgeous album, Strange Fog. It's a split release that finds Genning on the first six tunes and BOTN on the last five. These are evocative and picturesque ambient pieces that invite you deep into wide open spaces and have you gazing at the sonic scenery. Things start lo-fi and rather foggy but delicate melodies bright light and hope as the album plays out and you are cast ever more adrift from the real world and all the nagging anxieties that come with it.

Review: The unstoppable dub techno and ambient label Greyscale seems to drop new music each week. This time it is BT Gate X-138's 'kV Pylon' that serves as the musical vehicle to take us on a trip through rich sonic landscapes and an array of emotions. Over seventy sublime and spacious minutes, this vital CD goes from grainy and lo-fi moodiness on the opener to explorations of the ocean floor on '330kV Test' via gloriously uplifting and optimistic pieces of melodic beauty such as '330kV Test'. It is another triumph from a label and artist that will find favour with all techno and ambient lovers.

Review: BT Gate X-138 returns to Greyscale with Gravitational Grooves, deepening his relationship with the label following 2023's kV Pylon. Ten sousing sonorities hear him reshape his signature dub techno sound with growth-mental finesse, emitting foggy atmospheres and slicing percs. 'Inertia' leans into soft chords and faint crackle before giving way to the stripped-down shuffle and understated melodic turns of 'Gravity', while 'Orbit' builds over and delay-heavy phrasing; 'Float' offers a breather with its ambient drift, while an embossed 'Mass' sears the ears with churlish mood-texture. Touchstones such as Konigsforst and In Moll are alluded to most subtly.

Review: Considering the hazy, spaced-out and immersive nature of grad_u's dub techno productions, we were rather surprised to discover that "Umwelt" is his first full-length collection of cuts for almost seven years. We're glad he's finally got round to making another album, though, because it's the extended format that offers the best chance to wallow in his becalmed and beguiling blend of fuzzy aural textures, deep dub rhythms, woozy ambient soundscapes, fluid electronics and deep space beats. While it would be easy to pick out highlights - the up-tempo beats and pulsating chords of "Racing Thoughts", say, or the Basic Channel-esque throb of "Mars Odyssey" - the genius of "Umwelt" is how it hangs together as one intoxicating, slowly shifting set of dubbed-out electronic movements.

Review: Redscale and Greyscale label founder and dub techno production don and master DJ Grad U takes us on a killer trip here into widescreen worlds of ambient sound. The textures are lo-fi and fuzzy around the edges as per most ambient albums, and the synths are heady and smeared to perfection. Some pieces are filled with a subtle sense of hope and optimism, others are more darkened drones that turn you in on yourself, but all of these tracks are fantastically realised and immersive pieces of ambient art.

Review: The impeccable Lithuanian label Greyscale is a real leader when it comes to dub techno and already they are racing into 2024 in fine style with a first full-length of the year from label head Grad_U! The sublime and immersive Sustain has eight larges ambient soundscapes that are detailed with field recordings from another planet. Each one is alluringly empty and beautiful, intriguing and unsettling to make for an escapist trip to another dimension. The way the producer manages to conjure up what feel like familiar emotions in such a faraway world is second to none and will leave you wanting to do it all over again the second it ends.

Review: .For the 100th volume in their ongoing 'Mood Series' of albums, Greyscale has chosen to offer up something very special: a double disc set of previously unreleased "secret weapons" produced by label main man Grad_U. It's an undeniably brilliant collection all told, with the long-serving artist offering up a rich selection of deep techno and dub techno treats in his distinctive style. Highlights are plentiful and include (but are in no way limited to), the house-infused, hypnotic techno positivity of 'Run Out', the intergalactic dub techno pulse of 'Compound', the acid-flecked intensity of 'Seismic Investigations', the immersive rhythmic sound soup of 'Whispering Rails', and the melodic flutter of 'Orbital Outpost'.

Review: Prolific Lithuanian dub techno explorer Grad_U is back with a new album which further develops his explorations in realms well beyond the limitations of the dancefloor. Spectral Decay examines all manner of spatial processing, not to mention celebrating the power of the space between the pulses. There are still some steadfast technoid rhythms to latch onto, but the beats are always secondary to the atmospherics in Aleksandr Martinkevic's immersive productions. With a couple of remixes from kindred spirits such as Dominique Jacquinet and Ohrwert Alter folded in for good measure, this is another essential trip into the echo chamber from a master of the craft.

Review: Igor Arsenjev works as Gradient and puts out an awful lot of music. It's all about deep dives in ambient, dub and techno and is well designed and super seductive for the mind. Greyscale's 25th album comes from this long-time label friend and is his fourth for the label. It is another warm and comforting listen with subtle stylistic shifts that draw you in each time. There are late-night drivers as well as more dance floor-orientated sounds, hypnotic groovers and masterfully minimalistic meditations. The opener itself is a quick highlight with brilliantly designed and rolling drums under smeared chords that set a fine tone for what is to come. A real triumph.

Review: To celebrate 15 years in the game and coming via Lithuania's Greyscale label, Gradient delivers Dub Stories, a two-CD masterpiece that focuses on his evolution. CD1 opens with 'Dub Story 1,' setting a vibrant tone that flows into the airy 'Dub Story 2.' Tracks like 'Dub Story 3' and 'Dub Story 6' pay homage to classic dub roots, while 'Dub Story 4' and 'Dub Story 8' push creative boundaries with dynamic melodies. CD2 continues the journey with the deep, evocative 'Dub Story 11' and the celestial 'Dub Story 13.' Tracks like 'Dub Story 16' offer serene, minimalistic breaks, while 'Dub Story 19' delves into deep, contemplative layers. The album closes with 'Dub Story 20,' a grand finale that leaves a lasting impression. Dub Stories is a fitting tribute to Gradient's legacy and a shining example of quality in the dub techno realm.

Review: Over the course of two albums and a handful of singles, Gradient has showcased a distinctive take on dub techno that emphasizes melodic positivity and aural colour just as much as bass-heavy rhythms and sonic warmth. That trademark sound once again comes to the fore on "Dub Harmonics", which merrily skips between sub-baked dub house ("Harmonic 02"), locked-in peak-time grooves (the smile-inducing goodness of "Harmonic 04"), spaced-out deep space dub ("Harmonic 06") and rolling, early morning dancefloor workouts (the acid bass-propelled "Harmonic 09"). While there are no real surprises or stylistic shifts, there's enough subtle differences to make the album flow nicely, while the ear-pleasing nature of Gradient's sound makes "Dub Harmonics" a very enjoyable listen.

Review: Lotech and Hijack both hail from Canada and mark the 22nd fantastic offering of dubbed out and grainy techno from the good people at Greyscale. It is the label's first full length though and one to really sink yourself deep into. The pair grew up not far from the home of techno in Detroit just over the US border and it shows here. Their sounds are fathom deep, super warm and the machines really speak to your soul with the gentler rhythms, fleshy bass and liquid chords rippling out to an in finite horizon. A supreme dub techno album indeed.

Review: Premier dub techno outlet Greyscale from Lithuania welcomes back Lotech/Hijack following the success of his last album here, Static Phase. He has served up another full length's worth of sublime deep dub techno explorations here, and that marks his rather remarkable 36th full length in total. Winter Constellations is inspired by the Canadian's love of star gazing and the vastness of space and results in plenty of widescreen and cinematic tracks that are subtly detailed with celestial moods. From the power of 'Let's Forget Who We Are' to the infinite depth of 'Auriga' via the airiness of 'Night Sky Dreaming' and 'Horologium', this is another masterfully immersive work that really exploits the album format.

Review: For well over a decade, Italian producer, electronic musician and sound designer Ocralab (real name Rocco Biscione) has been serving up immersive and enveloping ambient soundscapes, most of which tend towards the meditative and subtly sun-kissed. That's the trademark sound that he explores on gorgeous new full-length Locus Impervio, a set whose gently rising and falling melodic motifs, calming soundscapes and spacey sounds recall the halcyon days of ambient music in the mid-to-late 1990s. It's a genuinely gorgeous, soul-enriching set all told - the kind of thing we might have expected Pete Namlook, Jonah Sharp, Move D and Mixmaster Morris to put out circa 1994 (albeit with subtle nods to more contemporary, sound design-driven academic ambient releases).

Review: Lithuania label Greyscale is up to a 29th full length here and once more it is a deeply moving journey. Phases of Gravity is behind it and serves up what amounts to an audio scrapbook that recounts a period in which the Hungarian artist conducted something of a rebirth. Anchorage then is a very personal work where the sounds are stripped back to their most distilled essence. It is always atmospheric in its fusion of ambient and dub with ocean explorations like the opener next to more weight and tribal drums on 'Anchorage and plenty of heavy human emotions in 'Thickness of Soil'.

Review: Lithuanian label Greyscale has the kind of sharply focused aesthetic you can really sink your teeth into - they deal in dub techno, tastefully packaged and all bound to the idea of the label name. It's a truism for much in the dub techno oeuvre, where melodies interrupt the flow of billowing reverb clouds and submerged pads. So it goes on this collaborative album from Sibling and Heavenchord, where the immersion ranges from meditative pulses to beatless echo chambers. For anyone who needs a daily fix of cavernous delays and those chords, you won't find a more faithful interpretation of the dub techno sound than right here on this CD.

Review: Lithuanian label Greyscale's full-length catalogue is back with another doozy and this one comes from Japanese dub techno don Silentwave. Dub Melancolia lays out a dynamic vision across 11 slick tracks that all add up to a superb cinematic experience. Each of the deeply hypnotic cuts are detailed with exquisite additions like moody strings, celestial melodies and wintery pads. Label owner grad_u also appears with a remix of his own and further highlights com from the emotional 'Indigenous Dance' and 'Eden', a stylish sunning mid-tempo melody peaker. This one goes way beyond the dancefloor.

Review: The 21st full length release on Greyscale is by none other than the home town hero Sraunus. A veteran of the label, we are thrilled to have the fellow Lithuanian back once again. The depth of 'Surrealismus' is nothing short of amazing. How only 7 tracks feels deeper than any double CD set, we are still trying to uncover and understand the entire scope of this release. Sonically, it is a true gem of pushing the limits. Idea wise, this album is cohesive and awe-inspiring.

Review: Prolific sound designer and sometime dub techno producer Sraunus (real name Paulius Markutis) returns to Greyscale with the sequel to last year's Atmospheric Insomnia. As the title suggests, Equal Melodies is a tuneful and mostly positive affair, with Markutis ambling his way through a series of deep, melodious and trippy soundscapes rich in fluttering, colourful electronics, starburst chords, undulating dub techno rhythms, tropical sound effects and meandering synthesizer lead lines. While there's enough low-end grunt to suggest that some tracks may stand up to club plays - either at dedicated dub techno nights, or in atmospheric warm-up sets - the album's main attraction is its home listening-friendly feel. It's the sort of set we would happily get lost in, and there's no greater recommendation than that.

Review: Stiroll's Sofia marks the Ukrainian artist's return to Greyscale Records with his first full-length album, painting a sonic portrait of a day in the life of a suburban area. The album invites listeners to experience the subtle intricacies and layered sounds of a community awakening, bustling, and finally resting as night falls. The journey begins with 'Intro - Dusk,' a brisk and atmospheric opener that evokes the early morning stillness before a city stirs to life. The full chord remnants and distant echoes set the stage for the day ahead, capturing the anticipation of the morning. 'Standbye' follows, offering a more airy and purposeful vibe, moving away from minimalism to suggest the first signs of activity, as if the world is slowly beginning to wake. 'Foundamental' continues this progression, riding along with gentle sounds punctuated by flares of static, hinting at the humidity and energy building in the air. The track flows effortlessly, mirroring the natural rhythm of a day gaining momentum. As the day matures, 'Sequence To None' introduces more serious, conflicting chords, perhaps reflecting the push and pull of daily routines and interactions. The crisp production and deep bassline ground the track, offering a sense of structure and direction. Midday arrives with 'Vidlunnia,' a sparse, downtempo piece that feels like basking in the warmth of the sun. The chords wash over the listener like rays, creating a relaxing, chill-out atmosphere with a broken rhythm that invites reflection. The pace slows with 'Interlude - Fall Moon,' where a churning, almost mechanical heartbeat drives the track forward, building tension as the day begins to wane. The ominous mood that emerges in the second half hints at the challenges that often accompany the close of a day. 'Nulle Part' shifts the mood with a more pronounced beat, offering a straightforward yet catchy rhythm that feels both harmonious and conflicted. The hypnotic quality draws you in as it moves toward a positive, yet complex resolution. 'Fall Control' then soothes with heavily processed sounds, offering a brief moment of respite before the album's closing tracks. 'Hope' stands out as the most original dub track on the album, blending strings with a lofty melody that soars before plunging into deeper, more uncertain territory. The track feels otherworldly, capturing the complexities and contradictions of hope itselfia fitting theme as the day begins to wind down. Finally, 'Outro - Dawn' signals the end of the day and the album, with ambient washes that gently alert like a clock, leaving the listener with a sense that it is time to close. Sofia is a meticulously crafted album that encapsulates the ebb and flow of daily life in a suburb, bringing together the sounds of different people and languages into a unified, sonic narrative.

Review: Lithuania's Greyscale label has knocked it out of the park with its first nine releases and now this 10th follows that same high-class pattern. It finds the revered Submersion - of labels like Silent Season and Milieu Music - serving up more of his textbook deep ambient dives, with elongated synth craft and heady atmospheres all sinking you into a mindful state. The rainy day feel of the tracks and their misty pads is offset by constant subtle hints of hope and optimism in the ever-shifting melodies. It makes for an uplifting and deeply moving listen that you will keep on coming back to for more.

Review: Subset makes a welcome return to Greyscale with his second full-length album after the success that was This Quiet Earth. The follow-up, Ambient Particles, is another widescreen work of great cinematic details that again showcase Sunset's studio skills. The track titles give an insight into his thinking behind the music with the likes of 'Sandstorm on Mars' swirl of textured pads over baron landscapes of undulating bass and 'Cocooned Under the Stars' feels adrift in the endless darkness of space with only distant twinkling pads for company. Elsewhere 'Chains In The Wind' is a spacious and dubby ambient techno trip and 'Ambient Particles' brings a little more movement with its rolling drums. A sophisticated and soothing album once more from Subset.