The second compilation in the DKA Tape Programme series features twenty artists making waves in the industrial, goth, acid/house, techno, and minimal synth underground, with artists from all over the world creating death disco dirges, acid bangers, and forlorn post-punk anthems.
Vol. 2 sees the return of DKA stalwarts Tannhäuser Gate, Autumns, Xander Harris, Karger Traum, and Passing, joined by several new (and new to DKA!) acts that have quickly become a part of the always expanding DKA family. Several of these artists have played in Atlanta and blown away the people behind DKA and we wanted to introduce them to you, our faithful listeners! Some of the musicians on this compilation have to date only self-released tapes while others have releases on the extended network of underground techno/industrial labels like Ascetic House, Pop Nihil, New Body, Tram Planet, and more. There is something for everyone looking to jack into the electronic body movement on this monster tape comp that clocks in at over an hour!
Cassette / Digital Album
Ireland’s own Autumns lands on DKA for a 9-track mini album, Alexithymia. Having put out a string of solid releases with the likes of Downwards, Clan Destine, and AMOK Tapes we are extremely proud to share what we think is the young artist’s best work yet. Prickly sharp basslines ride on top of driving rhythms while dark string synths fill in the space with an air of sensuality, the use of distorted, muffled vocals adding a distant yet urgent mood.
As the title suggests, this very much sounds like someone reaching deep to feel in-touch with the emotions they’ve grown so detached from, a powerful musical momentum meant to shake up your mood and make you feel something. There is a distinctly post- punk feel to Alexithymia that sets it apart from most other techno releases. Expertly contrasting angular melodies along with inviting textures and dub techniques. Autumns is able to evoke the style of eighties pioneers like Public Image Limited, Pop Group, and Josef K albeit in the vein of contemporary techno. Autumns would appeal to fans of Silent Servant, Broken English Club, AN-I, Regis, and DKA’s own Celldöd.
Cassette / Digital Album
Stockholm’s machine-maniac Celldöd (real name Anders Karlsson) has been active in various punk and electronic outfits since the late 90′s and now lands on DKA for his second full-length album (and first for the label), Fragmenterade Minnen. Karlsson’s prolific solo project has released numerous cassettes and 12″s in addition to his debut LP on Suction Records in 2015, as well as the Brutal Disciplin of his Vargdöd (Varg + Celldöd) collaboration.
Fans of Karlssons previous efforts will find lots to enjoy here, as he explores the ideas, textures, and ryhthms of the Celldöd sound over 10 tracks of Liasons Dangerous-esque industrial funk with flares of body music and techno. Karlsson’s ability to make such a heavy sound bounce and swing is what gives these tracks the ability to light up even the coldest dance floors. The performances captured are raw and inspired and the feeling transfers directly to the listener as your body slowly starts to move in unison with the beat.
credits.
LP / Digital Album
DIN, the project of Los Angeles’s Josie Vand and Greg Vand, are able to extract choice elements from eras past and distill it into an impressively focused and modern sound. Every sound, every texture, every voice falls perfectly into place, as the palette effortlessly winds from warm and pastoral to cold and sharp, leaving you room to both dance and dream. The “Real Dirt” LP is infectiously understated from start to finish, and as the follow up to their “Saturate” EP on Ascetic House it proves that DIN is a serious force in modern synth music.
Those familiar with the label may recognize Greg Vand from his role in the great High-Functioning Flesh, however DIN will likely appeal more to fans of Factory Floor, Tropic of Cancer, and Boy Harsher. Josie Vand has previously performed as a member of DVA Damas and contributed her visual art talents to the Jealous God label.
LP / Digital Album
Karger Traum is Blake Lusk and Taylor McKenzie from Oklahoma City. The project began when Blake invited Taylor to improvise vocals over his solo project, Holy Siege. Taylor’s style of improvising lyrics in German fit well with Blake’s minimal, throbbing productions and the pair decided to forge ahead as Karger Traum. Despite wearing the obvious Einstürzende Neubauten, Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft, and Suicide influences proudly on their sleeve they have managed to create a sound that has as much forward momentum as it does reverence for the past. After releasing “Alles Auf Einmal” on Blake’s label, Tape Gun Records, they recorded “Such A Dream” for DKA.
Cassette / Digital Album
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