Published by Davide Pappalardo on November 10, 2018
The BITE series returns with a new chapter, the Spanish born and German based producer Reka‘s new 12″ vinyl called Diving The Innermost. BITE is the label created by Hayden Payne, aka Phase Fatale, and Florian Engerling, in order to present to the world different artists showcasing a vision of techno music linked to experimental, EBM/industrial, post-punk roots. So far, we have other four works: the collaboration between Phase Fatale and Silent Servant Confess, Teste‘s EP The Box Man, SΛRIN‘s 12” Kuleshov Effect, and BT by NX1.
This new output employs EBM and old-school electro elements in order to give us a charismatic techno sound with driving bass-lines and evocative synth sounds, while keeping contagious rhythms on front. The result is a 4-track EP showing the reached maturity and skillfulness of Reka’s sound, which is totally coherent with the aforementioned BITE’s loose guidelines.
The Title track welcomes us with its cinematic soundscapes and eerie synth-lines, adding steady kick-drums and sparse snares during its crescendo, until it reaches an enthralling pattern made of different rhythmic structures. It’s not hard to image a dark sci-fi scenario or 80’s action flicks, as the track fuses techno elements and sounds close to the most evocative kind of synthwave.
Purge dwells in even broodier atmospheres, using sampled hard breaths and static lines while conceiving serpentine rhythms underlined by industrial sounds. A dark techno pastiche with ambient qualities and strong beats, following a mid-paced structure. During the second half of the track we find riffing effects in an effective final climax.
Polarity returns to old-school bass-lines and intricate rhythmic patterns, showcasing grooving lines and droning movements enriched by snare drums and kick sounds. The attention is not focused on fast-paced attacks, instead we have craftily built sonic architectures, without entering IDM or too complicated territories. Evocative synth sounds show themselves, completing this charming piece of electronic music.
Under my eyelids ends the work with an electro-tinged motif, employing hard drum sounds and hypnotizing synth-lines. The track grows slowly into a faster techno anthem, adding creepy samples in a brooding atmosphere, but at the same time offering eerie effects moving among the steel-like percussion, and charming hidden melodies.
Reka‘s debut EP is a great way to continue the BITE series, and at the same time a fully enjoyable work on its own. Dense atmospheres, thoughtfully crafted rhythms, dark soundscapes, give us a modern techno sound working both on the dancefloor, both during private listening sessions. Recommended for any lover of the genre.
Label: Bite
Rating: 7,5