Artist: Marcel Fengler
Title: Thwack Remixes
Label: Mote Evolver
Release Date: July 2011
Genre: Techno
Medium: Digital & Vinyl 12”
It was in the spring of 2008 that I first noticed I grew more and more disappointed with the way techno was heading. The classic techno sound I used to love so much was on its last limb, falling from one cliché into another and the new minimal sound that took its place was just too polished for my taste. It made me feel lost, old techno had no future, but the sound that replaced it didn’t push my buttons in any sort of way. It was time for a pilgrimage to the sanctuary of techno: Berlin. Sadly more disappointment followed, my once beloved Tresor had turned into a Lonely Planet destination and even after ten shots of vodka I just couldn’t get in the mood. There was only one thing left to do. It was time to look the beast in the eye and go to Berghain.
One must know that Berghain back then wasn’t as well known as it is nowadays. It just existed as a conglomerate of bizarre stories that centered around bear gays in bottomless leather pants doing nasty things to an exciting and totally new kind of techno, played over the world’s best soundsystem. And, as a straight guy, whatever you did, you had to stay on the right side of the room, or you would be bearwiched to a most certain death. After a split second of doubt I found myself standing in the queue and before I had time do doubt any further I was in. It is almost impossible to describe the sensation that I felt walking in to Berghain that night. Everything was overwhelming, the space, the people, the music, I must have stumbled around Berghain for hours looking like a complete fool. The only thing I can remember was that it felt like I was falling deeper and deeper down the most bizarre rabbit hole on earth: A strange feeling that held the middleground between euphoria and paranoia. It was the best place on earth.
When my brain finally took over again, the soundsystem was playing a track so loud that the ground shook. It was so different to anything I had ever heard before, that it gave me the chills like I hadn’t felt them for ages. Right then and there techno and I resolved our existential crisis; the love was back.
This entire introduction is leading up to the origin of that track. Because that track later turned out to be Marcel Fengler’s ‘Friction’ (listen on Youtube). And while Ben Klock and Marcel Dettmann later became the real heroes of Berghain, Marcel Fengler always kept a special place in my heart. Which in its way is kind of a requirement of being a Fengler fan, due to a strict one-ep-a-year mentality, Fengler is in no rush at all to release new material. Maybe that’s why on the latest Fengler EP there are only third party remixes to be found. Thwack Remixes follows the successful 2010 Thwack EP on Luke Slater’s Mote Evolver imprint. The EP features four remixes, one by Berghain resident Norman Nodge, one by the inimitable deep techno guru Mike Parker and two by label boss Slater, credited under his two monikers: Planetary Assault Systems (PAS) and L.B. Dub Corp. And while this is supposed to be a review I can only say that all four remixes deliver. With brute force I might add.
With his stripped to the bone signature sound Nodge takes us back to the deep and dirty realm of Berghain. A slow pounding deep bass is only counteracted by a couple of desperate sounding bells in the background. A great tune for a deeper set. The PAS remix is more of a straight banger. With a strong analog sounding percussion, a merciless groove and shrill haunting space pads this surely is a peak time weapon, fully completed by an exhilarating break at two thirds of the track. Lending much of the sounds of Fengler’s own version, the L.B. Dub Corp (digital only) remix stays close to original. As a somewhat brokenesque beat, this version is less dancefloor orientated than Slater’s other remix, but the lack of clear cut danceability is greatly compensated by the strong emotional narrative that seems to speak out of this remix. This track might prove a valuable addition to those DJ’s who like to tell stories in their sets. And then there is the Mike Parker remix. What is there to say about it? Probably only this: you’ll hate it or you’ll love it. The remix is drenched in Parker’s well know reflexive ringing bass sound. And at first play, I admit I mistook it for his last release on Prologue. On a better listen the deep sounds quickly came to life however. This is a perfect track to play as a break in a long dj-set, leaving your audience both estranged yet fascinated by the unique sound.
For me as a true Fenglarian this remix EP will keep me satisfied for a while. Or not? I recently learned that Marcel Fengler has compiled the fifth installment of the infamous Berghain mix CD-series, which is about to hit the stores at this very moment. It will feature a number of exclusive new tracks, including one from the man himself, which will be released separately in the next few months. Aargh. The waiting, it just never stops.
Tracklist:
01. Thwack (Norman Nodge Remix)
02. Thwack (Planetary Assault Systems Remix)
03. Thwack (Mike Parker Remix)
04. Thwack (L.B. Dub Corp Remix)
Listen to a preview of the remixes:
Review by Sieuwe Kooistra (Showhost Default)
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