#42 Feat. Staff Picks in Hard Techno

It's almost impossible to believe that a label with so much international notoriety is still within its first ten releases. Still, Belgian Techno protagonist Amelie Lens' EXHALE imprint is set to make even more noise with its ninth release. Following a spate of well-received singles from Amelie and the latest offering from fellow Antwerp native BYØRN, EXHALE prepares itself for an impressive fifth VA, featuring 14 selected cuts from 16 artists in total. A slew of internationally recognised names and rising new-age talent, welcoming back some familiar faces alongside some debutants, including two collaboration tracks. Championing the diversity of the modern-day techno paradigm, EXHALE's latest VA dips its toe into a myriad of genres, with nods to psytrance, breakbeat, hardstyle, classical and even drum & bass across thirteen freakishly heavy dancefloor-primed stompers. It's everything you'd want from a release that showcases artistry in its simplest form.

Amelie Lens, NOVAH (BE), VENTUR, Luciid, BYØRN, SWART, Farrago, Alex Farell, ARDL, FLKN, Aaron Hibell, Afem Syko, Chemtrailz, Hani (US), Rian Wood, La Kajofol