having remixed depeche mode and dj hell as well as releasing a new fixmer/mccarthy single with douglas mccarthy (of nitzer ebb), 2017 has already proven to be a productive year for terence fixmer. with the new force ep, the berghain resident follows up on 2016 s beneath the skin ep (o-ton 97), offering four stylistically different but congenial techno scenarios for club use. the record s eponymous track on a1 doesn t think twice: the initial signal horn starts as sudden as the staggered kick drum rhythm, reoccurring throughout the cut s 6-minute playtime while sustained and oppressive screams from a synth, extra multifaceted ebm percussion and synth drones add to the overall sombre atmosphere of ôforceö. the musical vibe distinctly changes with ôsidewalkö which puts more focus on synth melodies û like its predecessor a techno cut per se, but with a stronger accent on hypnotic motifs. on b1 ômelting planetsö emphasises the kick: clocking in slightly slower than the other three tracks û at 122 bpm û the bass drum here sounds extra vivid, ever-present and spot-on, just as if terence was playing the drum kit sitting right next to you. with additional percussion and swirling melodies ômelting planetsö is a lulling, mesmerizing meditation in dub techno. ôstriking patternsö on b2 links to the best moments of force ep s a-side, combining bone-dry bass drum hits and distinctive brazen, banging noises, pulsing synths pads and sizzling surface sounds.

dubfire and miss kittin have scored another big hit in the form of their second collaboration ride, the follow-up to the much-loved anthem exit. now, many destroyed dancefloors later and they’re unleashing a big pack of remixes to sit alongside their two original versions. solomun may best known for big melodies and hooks, but his remix boldly displays his affinity for heads down techno. a beast of a track, it centers around ticking percussion and pulsating synth delays with a throbbing low end. minimal in approach, maximal in aesthetic, it’s a no-nonsense groove. matthew dear dons his audion guise to remind us how instrumental he was in formulating that oddball techno sound a decade ago, making good use of the vocals in the heady breakdowns and matching them with unsettlingly wavering synth sirens and an almost tribal bass stomp. it’s full of atmospheric touches and pulls off a big room feel without resorting to cliches. depeche mode, erasure and yazoo legend vince clarke is a personal hero of dubfire’s, making his appearance on this package all the more of a special, rare treat. his chunky house groove is decked out with rolling congas, electro arpeggios and a yearning, bluesy guitar lick. french star djedjotronic has himself remixed depeche mode, and his version rounds off the package with throbbing low end, harrowing synths, techy percussion and brooding reese bass swells. with four very different mixes to choose from, this is an immense package that is set to cause havoc on dancefloors worldwide for some time to come.