Dynamo

Germany's Din label specializes in highly mechanistic shades of steely gray techno (Arovane, Monolake, Pole), and their releases from Dynamo help support that notion. Tracing back half a decade and rummaging through several releases, Außen Vor compiles ten tracks of Dynamo's impressive output, which normally consists of aggressive (not pummeling) and alienating (not off-putting) twists on the Basic Channel school of experimental techno. The first two tracks originated on Din's first 12" release and double as two of the disc's standouts. "Aufenthalt 1" is especially noteworthy, based on a chugging, crisp groove that's pushed forward by looped industrial noise damage. The rhythm stays insistent for the duration of the track, save for a couple moments where it disappears and allows for another percussive effect to keep things in motion. As the disc wears on, the productions get increasingly abstract and spacious, culminating in "Voraus 2," a track that's both mind-bending and chilling -- and, if you listen real close, you might actually hear something that resembles a melody. Ideal for speeding through hollow industrial districts late at night, Außen Vor is a fine addition to Berlin's techno legacy. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide