On this week’s Unsung Heroes, we delve towards the perplexing genre of Progno as we slowly open up an entire world of subversive beauty and Avant Garde sensibilities. If you are a fan of Trance, you have probably noticed the current trend of die hard fans latching onto Techno as the ‘messiah’ of EDM and the answer to the ever growing Mainstream movement. Artists such as Max Graham, Bryan Kearney and Indecent Noise have intensified this trend with their incorporation of Techno in their sets and while it’s amazing that Techno is reaching out to a brand new demographic, it’s also limiting those who only listen to their Trance heroes. Techno itself is a very, very large spectrum of various musical genres and the number of different interpretations may take someone a lifetime to learn and master. Many people never take the time to discover the music on their own and as a result, they miss out on many of the wonderful hidden styles that bid their time in the shadows, just waiting to be discovered and appreciated. As a result, many hidden subgenres are swiftly unseen and the progression of forward thinking music is often left unchecked and unabated.
Today’s Unsung Heroes is to serve two purposes: to reveal underground talent that many converted Techno fans may not know of and to unveil a new genre that amalgamates different textures and sounds towards secret horizons. Hackler & Kuch are an amazing, upcoming Netherlands duo that’s currently ripping through the Techno and Industrial charts with their fast punching, in your face mixture of Analogue hardware and cutting edge technology. Their singles of Duck And Cover and L9 have caused serious damage to many dancefloors and their recent collaborations with German artist Niereich have been nothing short of spectacular. While their reputation is towards colossal, floor-filling Techno beats, there is one particular remix in their discography that is completely separate from any other piece they created. Foregoing the word ‘remix’ altogether, their ‘Overdrive‘ of Kostas Maskalides‘ Bandsaw does away with their bone crunching power and focuses on infusing keen, emotional aesthetics into an otherwise soulless remix. Aptly combining Techno with the flowing, refreshing style of Progressive, the duo have unleashed a beautifully crafted Progno rework that goes above and beyond the normal Techno Industrial complex.
But we must first ask ourselves what Progno actually is, simply because we are now dwelling in a realm that has many different interpretations from many different artists. In my eyes, Progno is the subtle combination of Progressive and Techno and is often utilized by many older artists whose craft and tastes are sharpened and refined through many years of experience. It is much harder than Progressive ever will be, but is also more dreamy and emotional than Techno will ever be. The combination of these opposite genres can be tough to discover, as it’s an emerging genre that is still trying to find its identity. However, Bandsaw is an amazing example of its perfectly blended styles and is a track that seems to constantly evolve and move throughout every single beat, much like a shaken up snow globe. While it starts out in usual Hackler & Kuch fashion, something unexpected happens. It cuts out to a slamming Techno bassline before the whimsical wonder of twinkling Progressive chords completely blanket the entire surface in mystery and awe. Different layered textures are heard over time and every phrase contains something new and unexpected within the heated volley of chords and rhythms. But those subtle, overlapping chords remain eternal and gives the entire piece a sense of mystery and wonder; often tantalizing the listener to uncover the impossible answer to its vague, underlying riddle.
Hackler & Kuch‘s Overdrive mix of Kostas Maskalides‘ Bandsaw is now available on Nachtstrom Schallplatten via Beatport, so make sure you buy a copy and support real talent. Make sure to check out the Original, as well as remixes by Adam Jay, Brian Burger and Forest People!
Keep the music alive. -Q
Beatport: http://www.beatport.com/release/bandsaw-ep/1078871
Unsung Heroes is a weekly segment where we take a look back at an amazing production and bring it back into the light for older and newer fans alike. These tracks were often overlooked, overshadowed by a huge release or are just not that well known to the public here in America. Here, you can find all the hidden gems in many genres and find a new favorite track (or another tool/weapon for aspiring DJ’s).
