OUTWORLD Hard Techno

Es ist kalt, doch die Welt brennt ich suche halt, der mich auffangt es ergeht, jedem einzeln, von uns gleich, wenn wir allein sind Es ist kalt, doch die Welt brennt Wolken Schwarz, bis Dir auffallt es ergeht, jedem einzeln, so viel leichter, wenn wir zu zweit sind

OUTWORLD

For its 6th release, Berlin-based Klangkuenstler returns to his Outworld imprint with the Weltschmerz EP – an ode to a world in turmoil, prophesying that there's light at the end of a pitch-black tunnel. For there's a fire of passion burning brightly within the depth of these two monstrous new tracks. Make no mistake, this is brutal, floor-shaking techno, yet, despite the sheer force, Klangkuenstler captures the emotional essence of our Zeitgeist, shape-shifting moods between raging anger, deep-blue melancholia and glimpses of hope. The EP's title-track 'Weltschmerz' kicks off mercilessly at the light-speed-tempo Klangkuenstler has become synonymous with. As a muscular kick thuds below slashing hats and rust-covered atmospherics, a venomous lead snakes through this airtight framework, unfolding into a moment of unadulterated ecstasy. 'Untergang', meanwhile, bursts of pure energy in tired times, thundering violently towards a bittersweet peak of warehouse-sized euphoria. To put it in a nutshell: Klangkuenstler rings in the end and we're going out with a bang. Though cooked-up for carnage, it's Klangkuenslter's intuition for existentialist contrasts that let the Weltschmerz EP transcend its design purpose to grow into something altogether bigger – touching body, mind and soul alike. The outside world may have ground to halt, but Outworld continues to move.

Claptone is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. But there is no denying the impact on the global groove made by this otherworldly artiste. Claptone constantly circles the planet, only landing to deliver communion at special gatherings of electronic music fans. Fans who often appear wearing a golden mask themselves to pay homage to his message; cloak yourselves in anonymity and lose yourselves in the music. No doubt: Claptone has the world under his spell. The clamour to recreate his nightly encounters with the crowds, his comprehensive club experiences and the joyous feelings of the first season of his own event has led to the creation of "The Masquerade mixed by Claptone". This collection of edits, classics, exclusives, remixes and stand out tracks from his DJ sets is split into two mixes: day and night. Claptone aims to enchant and beguile the listener as well-known and new songs appear to magically intertwine; originals become remixes become edits become samples become music. Contained within the mixes is a special alchemy that is exclusive and won't appear anywhere else - Claptone is spoiling us. The Masquerade mixed by Claptone 1. Claptone 'The Masquerade mixed by Claptone' (Continuous Mix 1 - Night Mix) 2. Claptone 'The Masquerade mixed by Claptone' (Continuous Mix 2 - Day Mix) 3. Ultra Nate vs Roland Clark 'The First Time Free' (Claptone Remix) Written by U. Nate, L. Springsteen, J. Ciafone & Roland Clark Produced by Lem Springsteen & John Ciafone for Mood II Swing & Roland Clark Vocals by Ultra Nate & Roland Clark Remix & Additional Production by Claptone Published by BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited, Universal Music Publishing MGB Limited & Defected Music 'The First Time Free' contains a sample of 'Free', Written by U. Nate, L. Springsteen & J. Ciafone, Performed by Ultra Nate, Published by BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited & Universal Music Publishing MGB Limited. Used by permission. 'The First Time Free' contains a sample of Roland Clark 'The First Time', Written by Roland Clark. Performed by Roland Clark, Published by Defected Music. Used by permission. P&C 2016 Defected Records Limited 4. Purple Disco Machine 'Drumatic' (Original Mix) Written & Produced by Tino Piontek Published by Defected Music Publishing Licensed courtesy of Kittball Records P&C 2016 Kittball Recordings 5. Mattei & Omich 'Marlena Loop' Written & Produced by Patrizio Mattei & Danny Omich Mixed at LFCTC Studios, Rome Published by Copyright Control P&C 2011 Metropolitan Recordings 6. Alaia & Gallo featuring Kevin Haden 'Who Is He?' (Claptone Remix) Written by Bill Withers & Stan McKenny Produced, Arranged & Mixed by Elia Alaia & Aurelio Gallo at Music Factory Studio, Sant'Antimo (Na), Italy Vocals by Kevin Haden Sample Replay Production by Mark Summers at SCORCCIO Sample Replays www.scorccio.com Remix & Additional Production by Claptone Published by Interior Music Corp. (BMI) P&C 2016 Soul Heaven Records 7. Gregory Porter 'Liquid Spirit' (Claptone Remix) Written by Gregory Porter Produced by Brian Bacchus Associate Producer: Kamau Kenyatta Work Arranged by Gregory Porter, Chip Crawford & Kamau Kenyatta Vocals by Gregory Porter Piano by Chip Crawford Bass Guitar by Aaro

Klangkuenstler presents 'Fight Club Vol. 1', Outworld's 7th release and second split EP, assembling ve fast-punching belters by an international roster of artists, who collectively sound like the Project Mayhem army ready for the end of days. Leading them into the ring is the man himself: On 'In Ketten Gelegt', Klangkuenstler juxtaposes a message of liberation with the pitchblack darkness of his trademark sound, crafting a merciless march towards the edge of oblivion in the process. Next up, Exil der Schatten's bloodthirsty synths and impressive energy-shifts mark out 'Dystopian Warfare' as the perfect club driller. Whatever's left standing is trampled down by the devil's thumping gabber kicks on DLV's 'Der Teufel' (Gazometer '98 Mix), before getting ground to dust by BLICZ's nervously jacking, tough-as- nails groove of 'Still in Hell'. Absolution, struggling against the high-speed framework on GEERSON's 'Expect of Something', closes the EP and brings the words of Tyler Durden to mind, ringing ever more true in 2021: 'Only after disaster can we be resurrected.'

Serving as the primary source for Klangkuenstler's demonic productions, the Berlin label Outworld is by now a go-to for driving, industrial-strength techno with a penchant for firy hooks and hellishly atmospheric soundscapes. On catalogue number 005, Klangkuenstler orchestrates a dynamic tension between rock-hard underworld grooves and transcendental ascension, as implied by its title 'Himmelreich'. The A1 of the same name pointedly encapsulates this age-old pull between dark and light within the wicked waltz of a punchy power-beat and a sugary, elevating synth lead: imagine the devil knocking on heaven's door. Next up, the gnarly scrap-metal fuzz, insidious pads and trademark poetic spoken-word of 'Alte Zeit' reject relief for something altogether more vicious – yet no less fulfilling. 'Jugend Ohne Gott', the EP's grand closer, also carries a captivating duality in its heart. Here, regal strings add a bittersweet melancholy to the bouncy oomph of its percussion, once again underlining that Klangkuenstler stands for fierce techno and epic emotions, nailing a feeling of frictions evermore present in our world. Let's find catharsis in the Outworld together.

Over the course of just three EPs, Klangkuenstler has firmly established his imprint Outworld as a dead serious force to be reckoned with. On 'Armageddon', the label's floor-shaking 4th release, the Berlin artist is out to wreak more havoc by way of three merciless warehouse bangers, all as well-crafted as they are impactful. While a hypnotic acid riff and stout kick lend the opener 'Ihr Werdet Weinen' an almost jovial bounce, it is Klangkuenstler's expert use of an ice-cold spoken word that will no doubt cause a shudder of excitement among the sweat-drenched bodies its destined to move. Next up, the hard EBM slam of 'Ehre Und Gewalt' goes straight for the jugular, pulled along impatiently by eerie, cinematic synths towards its full-throttle climax. Whoever's left standing will only have a split second to catch their breath before 'Armageddon' then rips it away entirely: this ferocious brute of an EP closer couldn't have been titled more aptly as epic trance stabs and razorblade hats slash through the speakers and Klangkuenstler rings in the end of all days.

On 'Hexenmeister', the third release on Berlin's high-octane Outworld imprint, head warlock Klangkuenstler conjures the witches for a ball around their bubbling cauldron, adding yet another new facet to his raw signature soundscape. With it's relentlessly powerful kick and acidic riff, title track 'Hexenmeister' is pure, peak-focused body music, while it's twisted witchcraft vocal and brooding synth-line add positively deranged magic to its meaty pulse. 'Die Sonne Bebt' then whips the floor into oblivion by way of its killer drum programming and grinding rave signals, before 'Strom der Welt' lifts-off with the perfect bounce of rhythm 'til we're drawn back into a maelstrom of powerful electrical currents. Pulling out all the stops for the grand finale, Klangkuenstler concludes OW003 with 'Der Letzte Tanz': part old- school drum'n'bass banger, part transcendental closing-weapon, it marks an end point that feels as if an entirely new dimension just opened itself in the Outworld.

OUTWORLD Hard Techno