Token Belgium Vinyl & CDs

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record slightly warped***


A four-track exploration of darker, vintage late-90s-inspired techno. The title track, 'Voyage', opens with sci-fi-infused melodies and an epic atmosphere, setting the tone for an immersive journey. 'Stygious Night' follows, offering crisp subterranean techno with an edge that feels both modern and timeless. On the flip side, 'Venus Ballroom' channels an otherworldly energy, reminiscent of Surgeon's intricate and industrial soundscapes. Closing the EP, 'Psychosphere' dives into tribal territory with percussive grooves and alien textures, creating a hypnotic, dancefloor-ready vibe. A unique blend of melodic, tribal, and industrial influences, not to mention a masterclass in contemporary techno sounds.

Review: A four-track exploration of darker, vintage late-90s-inspired techno. The title track, 'Voyage', opens with sci-fi-infused melodies and an epic atmosphere, setting the tone for an immersive journey. 'Stygious Night' follows, offering crisp subterranean techno with an edge that feels both modern and timeless. On the flip side, 'Venus Ballroom' channels an otherworldly energy, reminiscent of Surgeon's intricate and industrial soundscapes. Closing the EP, 'Psychosphere' dives into tribal territory with percussive grooves and alien textures, creating a hypnotic, dancefloor-ready vibe. A unique blend of melodic, tribal, and industrial influences, not to mention a masterclass in contemporary techno sounds.

Review: A pulsating journey into deep, futuristic techno. The title track sets the tone with an otherworldly groove, channeling alien vibes and a heavy sci-fi atmosphere. 'Solar Flare' continues this ominous vibe, with a menacing rhythm that builds tension. Side-2 kicks off with 'Celestial Observer', a high-energy banger reminiscent of Surgeon, is relentless and an intense, industrial edge. The EP closes with 'Escaping The Void', a dark, subterranean track that creates an eerie sense of unease, with its shadowy textures and brooding basslines. The EP is a masterclass in creating atmosphere, with each track contributing to a cohesive, otherworldly journey. Border One's ability to blend deep, hypnotic grooves with menacing, sci-fi undertones makes 'Echoes From The Abyss' a perfect pickup for fans of dark, cerebral techno.

Review: Ignez is a regular on the Ghent label Token and now returns home with another textural techno outing filled with well-designed open spaces that help draw you in. The rather minimalist title track 'Aventurine' kick off with slick rolling drums and only the most deft synth details peeling off the groove next to more edgy and occasional stabs and whispered vocals. It's atmospheric stuff where 'Seraphic' is more eerie and paranoid in its synth sounds. 'Verdant' is more direct and visceral with its lashing lines and hard-edge drums and 'Cure' is a dubbed-out quick-stepper.

Review: Inigo Kennedy returns to Token for its 126th release with The Calling, a three-track EP that exemplifies his unique production style, blending hypnotic and stomping club elements. Inigo has been making techno for a better part of 25 plus years now with over 50 plus releases to his name. Side-1 features 'Magnitude Seven,' a track marked by melodic dissonance and a stripped-down acid line supporting a saturated groove and noisy synths. Waves of unsettling intensity, driven by a powerful double kick sequence, make this an epic opener. The title track, 'The Calling,' on Side-2, elevates the intensity with a frantic four-to-the-floor rhythm and sustained notes that create a sense of pressure. Harmonic sections breathe life into this nail-biting record, showcasing Kennedy's ability to distance himself from the typical loop-based templates prevalent in techno. This track underscores the ongoing relevance of his long-standing career in club music. The EP concludes with 'Out of the Woods,' a fitting electronica closer that shifts focus to introspection. Drifting notes and shuffled percussion lines evoke Kennedy's UK roots, providing an ethereal epilogue to the preceding techno tracks. The Calling is another masterclass from Inigo Kennedy, highlighting his innovative production techniques and soulful approach to electronic music.

Review: Kr!z from Ghent, Belgium wastes no time getting to the pointihis latest batch of heavyweight club tools is built for impact and every track hits with precision. Opener 'Defeat The Purpose' kicks things off with a writhing, acidic synth line that coils around thundering drum machine work, setting a relentless tone. It's stripped-back but deadly, fine-tuned for peak-time hypnosis. 'Chrome Dust' takes a funkier turn, its rolling groove and tightly wound percussion making it a surefire body-mover. Playful yet commanding, it balances raw intensity with just enough fluidity to keep dancers locked in. The title track, 'Ipso Facto,' is all about movement, its low-end bounce and sharp drum transitions reflecting Kr!z's DJ instinctsieverything lands exactly where it needs to. Closer 'Equilibrium' ups the energy one last time, filters opening wide over a punchy, rolling rhythm. It's no-nonsense, high-grade techno from a producer who knows exactly how to work a system.

Review: Everything about this release looks massive: the legend Luke Slater, on Token no less, with an EP titled Say It Loud. Indeed from the first beat of 'Bang Wap' you know you are in for a wild ride with one of techno's expert technicians, on this powerful and functional DJ tool in typically futurist aesthetic. The restrained fury of 'Bolt' is similarly looped and stripped down but still capable of taking you into cerebral realms on the warehouse dancefloor. Over on the flip, the title track is a jacking old school jam centred around its thunderous 909 rhythm patterns and ending with the cyclical and hypnotic energy of 'Shine'.