Artist: Alex Niggemann
Title: Stellar EP
Label: Aeon
Cat No: AEON015
Release Date: Out now!
Genre: Techno
Alex Niggemann brings us the latest release from the label he runs in Berlin, Aeon. Gaining critical acclaim and regular support from all the big names in the scene, Alex has been overseeing a stream of top class releases from the label. Rocking dance floors worldwide with deep, dark house and techno.
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We braved the arctic blast and ventured up to Glasgow to see the return of Glasgow’s prodigal son, Lars Sandberg (aka Funk D'Void) for a hometown gig on New Year’s EveHugely respected for a number of years, Alex has been banging out a run of massive tunes over the past year or so such as Materium, Sorrow, Abaton, Tarkus and more. Releasing on great labels like Poker Flat, Watergate, Last Night On Earth and of course, Aeon. Next up is the “Stellar EP”.
The title track “Stellar” is a dark and mysterious affair. A pounding kick starts you off, incessant bleeps soon add to the vibe of the track, like you’re on a dangerous mission in space. Quite minimal on the whole, Alex brings eerie pads in and out to add to the atmosphere, really building the tension brilliantly as the track progresses. Pneumatic percussion adds great energy to the rhythm, allied to the beat and bass it gives a really driving power to the track. Big synth bursts and squelches crash into the breakdown for maximum drama, continuing the futuristic sci fi feel through beautifully. An excellent piece of peak time, forward thinking techno.
“Asterism” is slightly softer, with a lazier groove and without the powerful drive of “Stellar”, but it’s no less dramatic. More melodic, with beautiful sci fi pads and subtle synth melodies, Alex increases the atmosphere and creates a really deep, epic feeling to the track. The bass comes in after the first breakdown and the atmosphere is stripped back to add more power and force. In the main breakdown a wicked synth noise is introduced, a bit like a warning siren telling you of incoming menace. A brilliant deep, epic journey.
Locked Groove provides a remix of “Asterism” to complete the EP. The Belgian artist, based in Berlin, has been rapidly rising through the techno ranks with a bunch of great releases on Scuba’s Hotflush Recordings and more. He adds a more pounding beat, with some great little noises and effects, sounding a bit like ticking timers. A dark, scary bassline creeps in to add an early feeling of dread to the track. Things progress slowly and surely, spooky synths are introduced as things develop and take you into a big, dark breakdown. The delicious dark melody that follows adds a great soul and character to the track. A great remix that’s already been played by Scuba on his recent BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix and many more.
A huge release to add to Alex Niggemann and Aeon’s already superb catalogue.
