Mord

Review: The Advent were hard techno pioneers who headlined huge shows in the nineties. Now, that is a sound that is very much en vogue: enter a new album on Rotterdam label Mord from the one remaining member, Cisco. "Shadows" wastes no time in smashing you over the head with powerful drum programming, linear percussion and underlapping bass. That is basically the template for all eight tracks, with subtle tweaks and variations along the way that make it a workman like, but utterly essential, album of no frills, high thrills techno.

Review: Anom Valley follows Damcase's recent outing on Bunker and positions the Greek producer as a leading light in hard techno. There is a rough, raw feel throughout this release for Bas Mooy's label; "Delete Scene" is mired in distorted kicks and noisy, barb wire percussion and both "Rusty" and "Towards Them" resound to titanium-powered steel drums. "Interlogon" is probably the most extreme track, thanks to its grisly, punishing rhythm, but Damcase also has a funkier side. He showcases this on "Rn 45" and "X Gun", where hypnotic electronic pulses, although encased in weeping layers of white noise, see him get his groove on.