German meets the Detroit Code

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Circle 3 is the 9th vinyl release on Blank Code Records and is the 3rd release in the Circle series produced by Detroit native Mutate (Len Bartush), with remixes by Luis Flores, Mike Parker, and Project 313. Circle 3 exemplifies the spirit of Detroit Techno. A deep, rich kick with a nice snappiness keeps the beat driving as heavily filtered synths reverberate through time, reminiscent of Detroit's classic M­Series records. Tight, delicate percussion plays with some aggressive claps creating the dynamic of a true modern classic. Luis Flores delivers a solid remix that completely deconstructs the original track while keeping it's most bold elements. The kick is booming, the bass is tight, and there's a mean hook that loops it's way around the percussion, really drawing you inside the track's world. Mike Parker dispatches an up­front rework, shrinking the original elements of the track into a veracious hook, supported by clock­like kicks and hats.. Project 313 deliver a stand­out remix that really highlights the atmosphere of the original track. The echo of the crunchy stabs dissolve into an endless feedback loop, as clicky hats and a solid downbeat pull everything together. Exclusive to the digital version is another Mutate original, Recursive. This down­tempo track dives deep into dub, with sparse chord stabs that let their echoes form the dominant rhythm. A wicked groove is formed by the broken kick and finely chopped percussion that glitches on beat.

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In the eighth release from Detroit­based underground techno record label Blank Code, Audio Injection provides three well­crafted tracks in the style he's become widely known for. With this EP, Audio Injection cements himself as a cornerstone of Blank Code after previously offering up a remix on BCR001 Mutate Circle 1 & his original version of Null on BCR005. The EP begins with "Recall" delicately textured, pairing a subdued, shaker­driven percussive line with glowing background drones. The B side of the vinyl starts off with "Open Air," a big room techno track that bounces along with a slightly distorted kick and pink noise hi­hats that frame a quick sine­wave bleep bassline. "Outburst" continues in this same style with a heavy­weight kick drum offset by a short synth whine and a selection of ever­changing hi­hat patterns that drive the track's energy. The natural­sounding reverberations of the kick drum on this track bear an uncanny resemblance to the acoustic behavior of Blank Code's home venue, The Works, giving the track a distinctive sound that effortlessly aligns with the label's roots.
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Blank Code start 2014 off strong with their latest EP Rituals of Submission, produced by Luis Flores, with remixes by Black Asteroid and DJ Hyperactive. The opening track Discipline starts off with a nice creepy atmosphere supported by a solid kick and just the right amount of percussion to hook you into the tracks core rhythm, which stays consistent while the supporting percussion keeps the intensity of the track in constant motion. Black Asteroid's Discipline remix gives the track a whole new perspective, while staying true to the original's excellent use of classic elements. The straightforward kick and up­beats work perfect with this track's industrial bassline, while cleverly programmed analog synths carry the track with slow triplet rhythms, and quirky stabs that drift off to space. Luis Flores' second original composition, The Word, follows the same philosophy as Discipline, with many elements coming together to form one solid rhythm. This is a huge sounding track with intricate metal percussion and pitch modulated stabs that form a dark and inciting hook which is overtaken by filtered claps as the track progresses. DJ Hyperactive gets down to business with his remix of The Word and lets his Chicago roots shine through as hats on all fours and hard hitting claps are used to raise the energy sparked by the deep kick and well processed stab.

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In their most furious release to date, Blank Code presents the Strumpet EP. Kicking off with the distorted dirty stomp of the Original Mix, Drumcell and Material Object let loose this dark gem that thunders forth the forgotten language of noise. Crowned with explosive hi hats, Strumpet seems to tear through any speaker it touches. The brooding Drumcell “Desolate remix” begins with a paranoid modular synth line looping over a crisp kick drum that hits on every other beat, slowly obscured by hovering atmospheres. As the track progresses, the grotesque snarl from the original mix growls along at a slow pace as the main synth loop perpetually modulates, occasionally usurped by distorted guitar like wails. Material Object's "Remix" gradually constructs the static smeared framework ex nihilo, building from a warm and empty beat into a screaming fistfight banger. By contrast, Brendon Moeller’s "Echologist Trick" enters with a patiently subdued broken beat that struts a certain swagger with its crushing low bass. The track sulks along with a seductive deepness, occasionally flaring out with the artists' signature use of echoing delay and reverb.
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Bodies in Pawn is a compilation constructed from a foundational sample set created by Detroit producer Len Bartush aka Mutate. Featuring original versions crafted by Mutate himself, as well as by Project 313, Audio Injection and Luis Flores, Bodies in Pawn represents another critically functional techno release sure to find its way into the record crates of DJs from LA to Berlin. The Luis Flores version exemplifies a masterful techno workout driven by thick layers of shakers and hi­hats, paired with energetic glitched percussive hits. By contrast, Mutate's version combines stark minimalism with his signature dub echoes, gradually blossoming over a punchy kick drum as the track evolves. Audio Injection contributes a delirious big room techno composition, made memorable by the subtle and unexpected inclusion of metallic scraping chimes. Finally, Project 313 completes the set with a stomping stripped­down beat surrounded by drifting noise, perfectly matching the hard­and­steady style of their live sets in Detroit.

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Detroit veteran Len Bartush (Mutate) returns to advance the series that began with the now classic Circle 1. A full round kick and jack style upbeats are all that’s necessary to support the deep, modulated synth lines that travel through lush plates of reverb. Alberto Pascual hits a homerun with his remix that will move any club, festival, or warehouse party. Project 313’s remix supplies moving synth lines are stripped down and replaced with driving rhythms and pulsating bass making this a superb techno offering. The Plankton remix turns up the tension with warehouse style percussion and intertwining rhythms complimented by science- fictionesque stabs and pounding bass. The “Circle 2” EP is an essential piece of Detroit minimalism. Detroit veteran Len Bartush (Mutate) returns to advance the series that began with the now classic “Circle 1”. The EP starts off with Mutate’s “Circle 2” (Machined) original. A full round kick and jack style upbeats are all that are necessary to support the deep, modulated synth lines
that travel through lush plates of reverb, creating an atmosphere perfect for any techno desire from dance floor, to living room, to headphones.
Alberto Pascual hits a homerun with a remix that will move any club, festival, or warehouse party. Big room percussion, moving sub bass, and funky rim shots compliment the dark synths from the original. Project 313’s remix delivers with an interpretation that celebrates the true spirit of the original. Moving synth lines are stripped down and replaced with driving rhythms and pulsating bass, making this a superb techno offering. The Plankton remix turns up the tension with warehouse style percussion and intertwining rhythms, complimented by science-fictionesque stabs and pounding bass.

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Blank Code presents BCR002 - Beta EP from The Plant Worker (also known as A. Trebor),
released on 12" vinyl with custom made silk screened jackets and available with an additional
track found exclusively on the digital release. Beta 01 represents merciless techno, with a
pounding kick and unexpected drops that leave the listener gasping for breath. The Luis Flores
remix introduces a subtle swing, making it more danceable than the original while still retaining
the ominous tones imbued in the track by The Plant Worker. Beta 02 stumbles in with anxious
acid synths and urgent hi-hat patterns, slowly building to a massive climax. Mysterious chimes
wandering around the sonic space give a haunting feel to Beta 03, the eery conclusion of the
vinyl version of the release. The EP’s digital exclusive, Beta 04, returns the listener to the
original themes of Beta 01 – open, reverberating bass accented by the sounds of echoing
metallic decay.
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Blank Code Records launches with its first release Circle 1 by label artist Mutate. Circle 1 is the first in a series of releases by Mutate and features remixes by Drumcell, Audio Injection, and Bas Mooy Detroit has always had a definitive voice in the future sound of techno, and this debut release from Blank Code is a prime example of both the latest from Detroit, and its international allegiances exemplified by three brilliant remixes from some of techno’s most accomplished modern artists. The E.P. begins with the original mix from Len Bartush. Deep repetitive bass complemented by dubbed out synths echoing through space make this track perfect for any occasion you would want to immerse yourself in pure techno. This Jeff Mills meets Basic Channel feeling track is destined to be a Detroit classic. Audio Injection’s dub workout draws on the rising and falling reverbs of the original for inspiration, creating new rhythms that breathe in and out of the hypnotic percussion. Thick effects create a lush atmosphere and the pulsating bass drive this fantastic reinterpretation that fully captures the spirit of the original while sounding completely unique. The Drumcell remix deconstructs the standard 4/4 beat and turns the track into a primal, energetic cacophony of interlocking rhythms that will move any dancefloor during peak hours. The bass hits hard as acidic synths bubble through techno brilliance. This track bridges the sound of Detroit with the new pounding rhythms being released on labels such as CLR.
Bas Mooy’s reinterpretation rounds out the release with an incredible track driven by the thick atmosphere of the original rearranged into a head-spinning groove. Dark, moody, and perfect for the dancefloor or the smoking lounge.
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