Page 60 - Zone Magazine Issue 018

Terence Fixmer - Dance Of The Comets [Novamute]
I used to hammer this label frequently during the turn of the millennium and it's great to see the awesome Novamute back. What a way to return as well with an impressive first two releases already from Nicolas Bougaieff and this three tracker from France's Terance Fixmer, the label is showing great promise (especially with a rumoured Charlotte De Witte release forthcoming). 'Dance Of The Comets' is a detuned synth wonder that builds to perfection managing to mesmerize but create a sense of darkness all in the same six minute opus. 'Orion' and 'The Silence' also are brooding synth numbers that deserves multiple plays! Go find a copy as soon as possible!
https://soundcloud.com/novamutenovamute/terence-fixmer-dance-of-the-comets
TOP TUNE //
Gary Beck - Round My Place [We Are The Brave]
There's something unique about the productions from Scotland's Gary Beck that make them appeal to such a wide audience, to the extent that it's hard to go to a techno festival and not hear them played repeatedly by numerous DJs. I love the way his percussion is so intricate, yet manages to feels stripped down and relentless. Having produced absolute gems such as 'Video Siren', 'Pressure Lights, his collaboration with fellow Scots Slam and a free download which I still hammer years on called 'Smiling', he returns with a two tracker for We Are The Brave. Of the two tracks on offer, it's the title track 'Round My Place' that stands out for me, keeping it quirky, yet energetic.
https://soundcloud.com/data-transmission/gary-beck-round-my-place
Harvey McKay - Black Dolphin [Drumcode]
It's been a while since a Drumcode release was featured on these pages, but I'm liking the fact that they have toughened up some of the recent releases. The autumn hit 'In Silence' from Amelie Lens has hardly left my record box. Longstanding label favourite Harvey Mckay returns with three rather fierce outings that definitely highlight his darker side. Title track 'Black Dolphin' fuses a love of oldskool with a monster of a kick drum. When some strings emerge later on in the track it leaves no doubt that this will rock the place! The other two tracks on the EP 'Retox' and 'Cover Up' are both notable mentions too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6naTgBVV_g&list=PLhkZrfli9PCpdvfv1yQz_e4obBZCnOeCA
KiNK / Thomas P Heckmann / Bloody Mary - The Melting Point [Dame Music]
I am a huge sucker for a 303 and anything with some retro charm, which is what all three productions on the new EP on Dame Music ooze at a high quality! Regular readers will know I have been a fan of both KiNK and Thomas P Heckmann over the years and their offerings are nothing short of sublime with Heckmann's in particular sounding like a modern day 'Acperience' by Hardfloor. Bloody Mary's own 'Chemical Jam' is as relentless as it is funky with razor sharp hi hats and distortion at the ready. My favourite on the EP has to be KiNK's Throwing Elbows, for keeping things simple yet still managing to produce a no nonsense, and very effective acid builder.
https://soundcloud.com/dame-music
Ansome - British Steel [Perc Trax]
Ahhhh, another month and another load of distorted goodness from Perc Trax. This time, Cornwall's very own Ansome lives up to expectations with some extremely hard hitting numbers that impress from the word go. Not to mention the rather hilarious cover artwork, being a pretty much naked photograph of Ansome himself. 'Poison Your Body' is the highlight of the EP for me, being as distorted as you like but still managing to cause havoc when played on a large soundsystem, with edgy synth work and an underlying sense of menace throughout. The amusingly titled 'Marching Powder' is also a worthy number, receiving spins from Rebekah on her Essential Mix.
https://perctrax.bandcamp.com/album/british-steel
Albums - Dance techno / hard techno // louk
60 ZONE-MAGAZINE.COM
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