Haven Germany Vinilo y CD

Review: Havern is a club night and record label that was founded in Tamaki Makaurau, Aotearoa in New Zealand by Keepsakes and Jaded Nineties Raver. It recently dropped its first EP and now continues to make a mark with this second techno offering. Mani Festo is the artist responsible for what is a high-octane, white-knuckle ride starting with 'Hunter' which has raw percussive textures and slamming drums. The Peder Mannerfelt remix brings more twisted metal textures and heady loops, the 'Swarmm' falls over itself it is that urgent, with shooting lasers and twitchy pads all adding to the anxious feel. 'Poison' and 'Machine' round out this most visceral of EPs.

Review: After releases on I Love Acid, Balkan Vinyl and Noise Manifesto, WTCHCRFT from Brooklyn gets a six track showcase of his skills, that is if you include remixes from HAVEN boss label Keepsakes and Valerie Ace. The sounds are from the tougher end of techno, for sure, but the likes of 'OOO' - speedy and pepped with a super cool vocal snippet - 'The Kink' and 'VVV' all retain an element of essential funkiness that shines through the sonic brutality. Our favourite is the still heavy but less full on 'New Friends', with its creepy film samples, but this is quite the collection. Just keep the lights on.