Victor Ruiz’s VOLTA imprint is fast becoming one of techno’s most prominent stables, thanks to a slew of releases from the label frontman himself and offerings from some of the most established names and exciting prospects in the genre.
The latest VOLTA outing features Ruiz alongside renowned Berlin techno stalwart Alex Stein. With a very close friendship that spans over 15 years, they have spent countless hours in the studio together and released a selection of successful releases between 2009 and 2013, but this new EP will mark the first collaboration for over a decade. To mark the 10-year hiatus, they decided to come back with a bang, and chose to make tracks which resonate with their older sound as well as bringing their new sounds to the mix, as a way to pay tribute to some of their first work together. It is definitely a very special comeback.

Alex and Victor’s ‘Human Robot’ EP encapsulates a three-track techno powerhouse - a trio of futuristic-inspired grittiness laced with ominous flows, sinister melodies and haunting vocals. The title cut ‘Human Robot’ kicks things off with a roughened electronic palette, capturing your intrigue with driving grooves, sweeping samples and intense glitchiness. The track’s racy journey pulls you through a kaleidoscope of riveting features with urgency, simulating an edge-of-the-galaxy-type pursuit vibe from start to finish.

‘The Heed’ comes next, bringing more weight and intent. Hard-hitting drums and shuffling hat grooves steer you forward alongside a ripping saw-synth lead, bass stabs and rising serene vocal layers to the point of atmospheric climax before elegantly reeling you into the second half of the voyage via a monstrously large throwdown featuring a more beefed-up version of that savage synth.

The release ends on ‘Darkplace’ featuring a gripping vocal topline from Born I, taking a more stripped-back approach to its predecessors. Much as the title would suggest, the track is pleasantly moody from the outset, building on thudding kicks and bellowing sub-bass notes as it rises from the depths via a series of intensifying layers of harmony that intertwine to create a broad sense of climax - arriving just in time to deliver another heavily danceable dose of raw driving techno goodness. Inspired by their older sounds, “Darkplace” is an ode to the past with a positive message for the future and what’s to come.