BERG AUDIO News

Techno heavy weight Obscure Shape continues his journey on the raw side of house & dub techno as URBAN CC (Now a solo project carried solely by him, following its origins as a duo) with the second installment of his “the introduction” series on Berg Audio. The release includes the label’s third drum & bass output, “Willy”.

The new step of GIMIC: Soundscape Waves Vol . 1 — the debut compilation from GIMIC Records on a double vinyl, Various Artists. Two records, two worlds: experimental & electronica explorations vs raw club energy. Featuring Hadone, Dangermami, NMSS, Canblaster, Darzack and more — the GIMIC soundscape comes alive.

Delsin is pleased to announce an extensive compilation series combing through the catalogue of landmark Dutch techno label Djax-Up-Beats. The series, curated by Rush Hour co-founder Christiaan Macdonald, launches with a look at the label's legacy in the development of acid music through the 90s. In total, this first entry in the Djax-Up-Beats 1990-2005 series comprises 20 tracks, presented as a main triple-vinyl album plus two additional 12" EPs. This first additional EP brings four tracks, by Dutch pioneers Spasms and Random XS, and Chicago heavyweights Mike Dearborn and Gene Hunt. Crucially, every track featured on the series has been carefully mastered by Johanz Westerman, bringing the best out of tracks that often had very little post-production treatment before they were originally pressed to wax. With five more, equally extensive, volumes to come in this series, Djax-Up-Beats 1990-2005 is a thorough exploration of a true totem of techno culture - a renegade label that operated on its own terms and carried surprises and slammers in equal measure.

tINI’s label returns with its second Various Artists release, continuing to expand the collective spirit that defines the project. VA02 brings together four artists with distinct sonic identities, connected through a shared club-driven vision. Moving between groove, texture and atmosphere, the release explores different shades of contemporary electronic music while keeping a clear focus on the dancefloor.

Opening the EP is tINI’s contribution, a stripped and groove-led track built around subtle progression and hypnotic movement. Minimal in structure yet effective in impact, it sets the tone for the record with a balance of tension and flow that reflects her unmistakable dancefloor approach.
Stefano Andriezzi follows with a solid and energetic cut shaped by his hybrid influences. The Venezuelan producer, based in Barcelona, blends techno, house, new beat, synth-pop and EBM elements into a driving and direct club track, combining nostalgic textures with a modern edge.

Next is Stckman, bringing a more melodic and expressive dimension to the EP. Based in London with roots in Lisbon, his contribution moves between Electronica and Pop sensibilities, delivering an atmospheric piece that balances emotion and rhythm without losing dancefloor focus.
Closing the record is GRD Diego, the Italian DJ and producer known for his eclectic and expressive sound. Drawing from new wave, electro and house influences, his track combines hypnotic rhythms with romantic undertones, providing a focused and immersive ending to the release.

DJ support comes from Roger Sanchez, Bob Sinclar, Claptone, Purple Disco Machine, Audiojack, David Penn, Sam Divine, Laurent Garnier, Chloe Caillet, Nicole Moudaber, Carlita, Groove Armada, Barry Can’t Swim, Bakermat, Danny Howard, Gorgon City and more!

Toolroom’s next Sampler showcases 4 big releases from Jesus Fernandez, Alex Preston, CASSIMM and Jewel Kid.

Special 30th anniversary collector's (Limited) edition: a 3x12-inch Gatefold Green Coloured vinyl. This release offers a carefully curated retrospectiveof Furax' career, bringing together his most influential tracks alongside exclusive selections. Making it an essential piece for fans and collectors alike.

A tribute to Bob the Landlord from Rotterdam. Bob the Landlord became known in Rotterdam after appearing in a documentary about the harbor cafe Willems Kantine. He was a loud and direct landlord who rented small rooms to people around the area. Bob was famous for his strong Rotterdam attitude and the way he spoke to people without filtering his words. One of the most famous moments was when Cowboy Jos asked him for five euros. Bob angrily replied, "Five euros? On your face!" This line later became a well-known quote in Rotterdam. Even though he could be rough and strict, Bob became a memorable character and a small cult figure in the city. 4 tracks on one very special release. A1 by Doctr - Our Minds Belong Together. The long awaited super nu italo hit already played by David Vunk at many festivals and clubs where everyboday is waiting for! A2 by Theo Scuera - Your Virus. Club banger and Dancefloor filler with crazy sexy bassline and pumping rhythm section. Half electro half techno. Endmix legendary by Endrik schroeder. A1 David Vunk and Ben la Desh - Unrealized prophet. Long time friends Ben la Desh and David Vunk team up again with another super deep techno house track, layered analog sequencial prophet 5 synths sound, Erica Perkons drums and fx. All of this comes together in an exciting tech break with space-like sounds. Be prepared for this secret wapon. B2 Patricio Diaz - Come To My Hell A Parisian space house techno track with energetic beats and 90ies vibes. Pure energy. Get your 10000 steps on this one. Hint: Most likely people will already buy this just for the cover. So be quick for this release and don't miss this.

SLUMPVA002-EP lands as a four-track vinyl release, ahead of a full 12-track digital compilation album in May 2026. With four club cuts that span from thundering techy-house through to deep breakbeats.

We are raising money for Médecins Sans Frontières Gaza Appeal, with 100% of profits going to the cause.

Our brand new Club Sweat compilation series has landed with Vol. 002 - a meticulously curated vinyl EP that captures some of our favourite releases from 2026.

From the Latin-infused energy of LO’99 & Yolanda Be Cool’s ‘Casa Cantina’ to the peak-time euphoria of CHANEY’s ‘Everybody Rising’, and Tseba’s ‘Dusk Til Dawn’, Side A is built for the dancefloor’s brightest moments.

Flip the record to Steve Lawler’s hypnotic ‘Tiny D’, the funk-filled ‘On The Limit’ by DvirNuns and a masterclass in momentum from Bonafique with ‘Sunday Routine’.

This one captures the essence of Sweat It Out’s undeniable influence on dancefloors across the globe.

Cruise Music really does what it says on the tin - serve up the sort of grooves that are easy to slip into a ride along with, especially when the sun is out and the mood gets a little more playful than usual. Their 16th edition of this long-running series is another super fly collection of effective groove and classic house attitude. Makito opens with the funky licks and disco colour of 'Jailhouse Funk' while Mark Funk, Danny Cruz pull back and allow plenty of sunshine and jazzy sax warmth into 'The Vibe.' On the flip, Bonetti gets remixed by Vertigini for some filter-driven and dusty house goodness and Raffaele Ciavolino & FederFunk bring a little Latin heat and percussive texture. Classy stuff.

Tadan’s area127 returns with Sun & Moon, a two-sided exploration of modern psychedelia and exquisite sound design — balancing sprawling daylight hypnosis with nocturnal pull.

The LP’s “Sun” side reflects an uplifting current. Kaspiann’s “Lilja” deploys deep techno finesse, flowing through contours of luminous synth progressions and forest-dwelling resonance. A resurfaced 1996 cut, Deviant Electronics’ “Radio Silence” emerges from the Goa continuum — progressive chord sequences, sci-fi atmospherics, and euphoric momentum recalibrated for contemporary dancefloors.

The “Moon” side turns inward and nocturnal. Whrikk’s “Specter” drifts amid ghostly psychedelia, pairing dreamlike synth work with evolving arrangement pressure and submerged low-end movement. On “Seijaku”, Solarythm distills ritualistic hypnosis and rolling bassline into a fluid story — a forward-facing statement from the blooming wave of trance.

Venetia presents The Face of The Deep EP. The rising artist from Belle-Île-en-Mer, delivers an elevated deep house record infused with shades of melancholy and nostalgia, exploring a rich spectrum of moods and emotions through driving rhythms, pulsating energy, and deep, resonant basslines. Crafted for late-night dancefloors or early-mornings, wrapped in warm, immersive textures, culminating in an outro that feels like soundscape frame of a moving film.

The Earliers is an early reggae and soul band based in France. Founded by producer and multi-instrumentalist Karigan, the project returns with a second 45 RPM release, once again staying true to its signature format: an early reggae track on Side A and a soul track on the flip side.

This new record features the outstanding vocals of Congo Lion on the early reggae side and Sebah on the soul side. The entire release was mixed by Karigan at BBR Studio, crafted with a vintage, old-school, homemade spirit.

A beautiful journey from another time.

"The electroclash genre sure has been having a bit of a renaissance moment. During its first coming an odd 25 years ago the French act Sweetlight was a favorite over here. Originally active between 2002 and 2010, they quickly positioned themselves within a refined strand of the global underground scene: inspired by 90s acid house club culture, they rose to prominence by releasing a sparse selection of original tracks and a multitude of remixes that were both dancefloor-effective and immediately recognizable. After the EPs stopped coming, the project seemed to have faded. But their tracks never left our bag: they combined minimalism with ambiguous elegance and retained a distinct, timeless quality, easily transcending the turn-of-the-century style they were most closely associated with. We are delighted, in what we consider nothing less than a full-circle moment, to release "Selected Recordings: 2004 - 2006" and shed light on an underrated yet, in our eyes, absolutely essential project. ALT022 is an anthology release featuring four extensive, remastered cuts. Abusator, arguably the act's hallmark track and a crossover hit, kicks off the EP. It is joined by Mecaniques Remontees, which opened the milestone Suck My Deck mix by Ivan Smagghe, and Too Shy, both initially part of the same EP back in 2004. Noir Comme Le Beat, an unreleased curiosity from the same era, closes the record. You will find dark, endless, ever-modulating arpeggiator basses, Detroit-via-Paris chord progressions, and spartan drums. The work is, in the artists' own words, low-profile, detail-oriented, and built for late hours. It's an ideal compilation or - depending on the case - introduction, especially now that new work is rumored to be finally on its way."

Never Sleep charity tape series focuses on the North East's Valenican musical obsession with the man who started it all.

Trendsetter DJ Scott commands respect with a blend of Makina, Hardcore and Bounce. A trance laced session filled with the resonating compere styles from MC Stompin, MC Jet and MC Natz.

Bringing the energy, heart on the sleeve lyricism and maximal Mackem love for the late night surreptitiously crew. Lacing the backdrop with rapid fire crossfade technique, jump up tonal flair and high pace anthemic signals. Scott brings authenticity alongside the finest MC's in the land.

MC Stompin shows the naysayers who owns the night, MC Jet streamlines quality on the mic and MC Natz brings his own signature tones to the prestigious event.

Literally bringing the first ever Makina records back from Spain (8 of them) and starting Hangar13, this mix showcases an incredible time for the localised sonica and the rise of a cultural defining era in the North East.

DJ Scott is known for his huge cultural contribution, youth work and working class pioneership. A true UK legend and local hero.

All proceeds go to The Macmillan Cancer Support who help people across the UK and and provides specialist health care.

Practical Limits of Nihilism is a double album by Das Ding containing 14 brand new tracks. On the album, Danny Bosten searches for meaning in an incomprehensible world in which even nihilism does not offer a way out anymore. Created on self-built analogue synths and drum machines, Practical Limits of Nihilism sees the typical Das Ding sound evolving into new territory, including 4 vocal tracks. The atmosphere varies from dark wave to ambient trance and italo, while remaining true to itself. The artwork on the gatefold sleeve was also created by Danny Bosten and reflects a collapsing world, leading to the emptiness that is symbolised by the white vinyl the album is pressed on.

“Passion” is back! The new track from producer/DJ Beltran and The Flirts (including some “Native Love” by Divine) has quickly become a fan favorite in his sets and online, with 500k+ views already. Now available as a special 12″ vinyl release, featuring an exclusive Ben Liebrand 12″ vinyl version made especially for this edition and only available on the 12″.

The release is shaping up to be Beltran’s biggest since his breakout club hit “Smack Yo’”, supported by Michael Bibi, Mochakk, John Summit, Pete Tong, Dom Dolla and more, and now boasting 100M+ streams. It follows a huge year for Beltran, including tours across the US, UK, Europe, Australia and South America, with standout appearances at Coachella, CircoLoco Ibiza and KOKO London. Expected shipping: 2nd week July.

Franky Rizardo delivers a straight-up dancefloor weapon with Shinjuku. Already taking over clubs and airwaves across the globe, Shinjuku is rapidly shaping up to be one of the defining records of the summer. The track built huge momentum before its official release, generating more than 71.1 million TikTok views through clips from Rizardo’s club and festival sets. Driven by a rolling groove, punchy low-end and a direct, high-impact arrangement, Shinjuku captures the infectious energy that has become synonymous with his sound. Road-tested around the world at venues and events including Space Miami, Reframe Los Angeles and his More To Life showcases at Ziggo Dome and Coachella, the track has become a standout moment in Rizardo’s recent sets and a crowd-favourite wherever it lands. Built for peak-time impact while maintaining Rizardo’s signature groove-led style, Shinjuku feels perfectly positioned to soundtrack summer dancefloors worldwide.

Bosconi Records returns with Tangled Waves Vol. 2, the second chapter of the series—this time expanding the concept into a four-artist VA, diving deep into progressive house and neo-trance territories while keeping that unmistakable timeless, old-school spirit alive.
Like shifting currents moving in parallel, Tangled Waves Vol. 2 brings together different voices, each following their own path while converging in the same flow—crafted for longevity, built for the dancefloor.

The EP opens with Fly High by DJ Glc, founder of Digging Deeper records and already known to the label through his contribution to the Home Cooked Beats compilation. Here he delivers an epic italo-infused progressive cut, driven by a classic rolling bassline and lifted by a futuristic arpeggio that bridges past and present. Hypnotic, warm, and undeniably effective—pure late-night material.
Next up is Strange Gift by rising artist Little Sea, founder of Sea Horse Records. A high-energy progressive groover with a clear nod to ‘90s classics, the track blends a punchy forward-moving bassline with bright melodic flashes and a sensual female vocal in the breakdown—making it a proper peaktime weapon with emotional depth.
On the flip side, Matteo Guarnieri (aka Rare Happiness) makes his Bosconi debut following a standout release on Kulture Galerie. His track Roller Disco Truck merges old and new with ease—leaning into a tech house framework with a distinct groove, textured stabs, and a subtle arpeggio that adds a psychedelic edge. A playful yet driving cut with strong character.
Closing the EP is Stargazing by Andrea Mera, also debuting on the label. A soft, mesmerizing progressive journey, the track unfolds with lush pads, a fluid atmosphere, and a gently evolving energy. With its warm 303 touches and emotional depth, it feels like a timeless closing moment—introspective, romantic, and built for those final hours on the floor.
With Tangled Waves Vol. 2, Bosconi introduces a new wave of artists while staying true to its roots—delivering four carefully crafted cuts that balance nostalgia and forward motion. Another essential addition for the bag, made to last.

In-demand AfroColombia Remix Vol. 1 finally repressed!
A collection of Afro-Colombian classics (Champeta, Son de Sexteto, Currulao) revisited by talented producers from the global club scene.
Ten years ago, a sound was born that bridged roots and reinvention. Today, Galletas Calientes Records is proud to announce the official reissue of AfroColombia Remix Vol. 1 on vinyl, in collaboration with legendary Colombian label Palenque Records.
Originally released a decade ago, this project brought together visionary producers and timeless Afro-Colombian rhythms, creating a dialogue between tradition and the global electronic underground. Now, remastered and pressed on wax again, the record returns with renewed depth—warmer, richer, and ready to be experienced the way it was always meant to be heard.
This limited vinyl edition celebrates the legacy of the original release while honouring the artists, communities, and sounds that inspired it. Whether you’ve been with us since day one or are discovering it for the first time, this reissue is an invitation to reconnect with a pivotal moment in Afro-Colombian musical fusion.

Alina Valentina ignores rule books. When it comes to making music, she bends genres to her own sound and vision. Acid, electro, synth wave, vocoders. All are melted to produce a bracing style that is floor focussed and strikingly individual. It is this distinctive perspective that The Hague based artist brings to Schrödinger’s Box for NPC Dream, eight tracks that map a journey that disregards genre limitations. The intent and mood are immediately set with the fierce “Air Slasher” plunging through the fog as kicks roll and beads of acid bulge. Raw electro is further coarsened by scything keys and vicious vocoder words in the title piece before the technoid mutations and pain-streaked “Echo of Ecco.” The ground is never stable, the direction and ideas darting and shifting to new sonic territory. Punishing and pure, “Mine Cart Madness” is EBM-encrusted cruelty. Tempos shift on the flip, the slow and cinematic atmosphere of “Pixel Swamp” feeding into the sinister and snarling snares of “Wishing Engine.” Paranoia and tension collide in the stabbing chiptune chords and spiking percussion of “Come Get Some”, acid barbs ballooning into a blistering barrage in this warped wrecking ball. “Light Warrior” is cut from the same raucous cloth. Knobs splinter against machined lyrics, sirens blare as kicks thump in this basement lurking beast.

NPC Dream is a relentless record. From the needle drop, Alina Valentina enforces her sound as she teases and taunts styles. Fiery and brimming with energy, this 12” encapsulates the sound of an exciting talent who carves their music with a truly unique ear.

The next EP with Andre Kronert's very own signature style. Dry and effective, dub-influenced floor fillers.

Big grooving dub tunes! Two of Andre Kronerts most wanted tunes finally back on Vinyl. With friendly permission.

TSSRCT returns with a significant new chapter: its third release, entrusted to Antigone. Across three carefully sculpted pieces, the French artist explores a territory where deep resonance, fragile melody and stripped-down structures converge. More than a return, this EP stands as a timeless statement, reaffirming both Antigone's singular voice and TSSRCT's evolving sonic vision.

2026 Repress

The Aztecs return. UR receives the message. The Aztecs and the Hermanos make the transition from the guitar player. Natives didn’t take the robbery of Mother Earth’s land or her culture lightly. A new warrior culture, the Electronics did not back down when a war broke out with the programmers over this production. Those who know were avenged for the transgression. Strong beautiful music with a stronger beautiful spirit. A first in the history of music: big can lose. Hear it and feel the power of the cats that still prowl the streets of Detroit.

Just after the success of its first solo EP, Supervision Records returns with its fifth release - another standout solo project, this time delivered by the talented b0n.

Packed with five high-impact tracks, this EP bursts with intensity, punchy energy, and an abundance of groovy sounds. A powerful and refined new chapter for the label.

Kultiger Track: Explosive Afro-Funk-Version von ,I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" von den Arctic Monkeys.

Return of the Blastromen! OEra marks the comeback of the Finnish Electro duo, 7 long years after their last album Cyberia. The new EP on German label Dominance Electricity features 4 powerful, polished productions, with melodic synths and Vocoder vocals somewhere between Kraftwerk, Anthony Rother, TRON soundtrack, a pinch of Psytrance and Jackal & Hyde / Dynamix II / Code Rising style Electrobass.

Following its release in 1997, ‘Remember Me’ was cemented as an international dance hit, peaking at #8 in the UK singles charts, as well as #2 in the American Dance Chart. Instantly recognizable for the iconic Marlena Shaw vocal samples and down-tempo chugging bassline, ‘Remember Me’ has gained cult status throughout the world as a dance-floor classic. Releasing the original over 20 years ago, the incomparable track has only received one previous official remix with Dutch producer and DJ, Franky Rizardo now injecting new life into an already seminal track also

The Dutch imprint has now asked non-other than David Penn to add his magic to this sure-fire repeat player!

Madrid based David Penn get to grips with the Blue Boy classic and the results are spectacular! Some of you may have already heard it on David’s recent Live lockdown streams all over social media?! Now you have been hand-picked to help break this house anthems!

After thirteen years of silence from the compound, during which anticipation has grown day by day, Boards of Canada finally return. Inferno retains their signature melodies and atmospheres, drawing on the esoteric influences explored in Societas X Tape (their 2019 NTS mix for Warp Records’ 30th anniversary) and the darker ambience introduced on Tomorrow’s Harvest, further deepened by an expanded role for speech soundbites.


Spanning seventy minutes, the new album is available on special edition limited red translucent 2LP vinyl in triple gatefold sleeve with a 16-page booklet, black 2LP vinyl and CD with 20-page booklet.

The origins of Body System date back around 35 years. Dissatisfied with previous experiences, the project was conceived as a meeting point between Sheffield and Detroit techno and German and Belgian body music. At the time, it never fully developed and remained largely an idea, with only a few sketches recorded on DAT. More than three decades later, that original concept has been revived. Following an invitation to contribute the track In Your Mind to the soundtrack of Electronic Body Movie, directed by Pietro Anton, the project was reopened and reworked, taking shape in the present while remaining rooted in its initial vision. These five tracks reflect an awareness of both past and contemporary electronic music, filtered through an undiminished experimental approach and a conscious refusal to adhere to stylistic conventions or predefined genres. Presented in ONE-OFF truly limited edition of 300 copies lacquered pressed on 180 gr. high quality solid BLACK vinyl. All tracks have been specially remastered and mastered for vinyl by Daniel Hallhuber at Young and Cold Studios (Germany).

The endless world of ’80s Italo music offers us yet another previously unreleased gem; Caroline Vita’s “Out Of Order” has been rediscovered in the tape archives of the Interbeat catalog, recently acquired by Cinedelic, of which Mondo Groove is a sublabel. The British-born singer performed the song at numerous festivals of the time (1983) that were broadcast on Italy’s national television network, RAI.

The separate tracks allowed DELPHI (Tiger & Woods) to remix it in the style he felt was most fitting: Italo Funk and early New Jersey Freestyle.

Circus Operandi is the project of Donatas Chipak and Tumosa, two figures of the Vilnius electronic music scene, and residents at legendary clubs Opium (RIP) and Gallery 1986, where Ivan Smagghe & Niv Arzi (who jointly run Customs & Faces) met them countless times at countless hours. We’re not keen at describing the music we release at C & F, no need for pigeonholing ourselves but this EP completely ticked our boxes : electro, techno and everything in between, punch and deepness included.

Blah Blah has been played in every Ivan Smagghe set for the last 6 months and picked up by, amongst others, Shonky and Francesco Del Garda. Some kind of hit rambling about ordering a pizza is quite something. Fantast and Hints are slightly moodier pieces of emotional 4/4 electro while Denter subtly hits at non-cheesy trance. Expect much more from these two very soon.

Fiscal man of mystery, Clive From Accounts is back!
Fresh off the heels of his well received debut album on Razor N Tape, “The Very Best of Clive From Accounts” comes his new concoction, “Income Trax Vol. 1”.
The 3 track EP kicks off with “I’ve Been Waiting“, a 90s piano laden up-tempo house track with a twist of soulful sampled flute and vocals.
“Every Time” is a filtered deep disco house roller built around lush string samples, live bass and soulful vocal cuts. It’s sleek, assured and festival-ready.
“Superfine” clocks in and turns the energy up. A snappy pop-disco number powered by punchy strings, big vocal hooks and catchy synths. Operating somewhere between the dancefloor and the stationery cupboard.

Starting in 2021 the critically acclaimed Next Wave Acid Punx series has seen Luca Venezia, aka Curses, celebrate the music that has shaped both his life and career. Across the first two compilations Luca took us from the industrial and post-punk sounds of the late 70s,through the emergence of EBM, new beat and freestyle in the 1980s and onto the music he both makes and plays himself in clubs today. Bringing the series to a close Next Wave Acid Punx TROIS sees the Berlin-based musician and DJ return full circle, this time exploring the sounds that first initiated him into Brooklyn's rave scene and the music that, in some way, continues to embody its eclectic spirit today.

Spread across three 2LPs and 3CDs Next Wave Acid Punx TROIS captures a moment whose influence can still be heard reverberating around clubland today. With the nascent rave scene obliterating boundaries, this was a moment where the darker, harder industrial electronic sounds of the mid 1980s were crashing headfirst into the ecstatic wave that was washing over clubland creating thrilling juxtapositions. Whether in the clubs and warehouses of New York, London, Frankfurt, Valencia and beyond, electronic music would never be the same again as countless new genres we take for granted today were born from the chaos and energy that had been unleashed.

Featuring 46 hard-to-find, new and exclusive tracks, Next Wave Acid Punx TROIS both documents that fertile period and shows how, despite rumours to the contrary, that early anarchic spirit can still be found today. From the Detroit Techno of Model 500 to Nitzer Ebb's EBM and the proto-Trance of Age of Love and onto brand new tracks from some of today's best producers such as Zaatar, Italo Deviance and Leona Jacewska, this compilation closes out a series that has to date revelled in exploring the darker corners of clubland in uplifting style.

This is Chapter 3.







[f] B2. Javi Redondo - HALT [Process]

Repress!

Sophomore release from the acclaimed trio of Inspectah Deck (Wu-Tang Clan) And 7L & Esoteric. Features MF Doom, GZA, Method Man, Large Professor, Juju Of The Beatnuts, Ra The Rugged Man, & Meyhem Lauren. Packaged in a 70+ Page Hardcover CD Casebook / 2LP on Clear vinyl with Lyrics & Cover Art From L'amour Supreme (Mishka NYC). Includes a comic, written by Esoteric with artwork by Gilberto Aguirre Mata (El Ultimo Codice) & L'Amour Supreme. CZARFACE - Wu-Tang founding MC Inspectah Deck and veteran Boston duo 7L & Esoteric - isn't concerned with the glitz and the B.S. that modern consumer culture is pushing. And neither are the group's fans. In 2013, the trio appeared relatively unassumingly with their self-titled debut, which was chiefly produced by DJ 7L and included guests ranging from Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna to Vinnie Paz, Action Bronson and Roc Marciano. The soon-to-be acclaimed group found out quickly that there was a groundswell of hip-hop fanatics thirsting for the lunchpail, lyrics-above-all-else rap they fell in love with in the '90s. Several pressings of the album on CD, 2-LP and even cassette later, they are back and ready to up the ante. This time around the group is the same, but it's fair to say that all three men have stepped up their game. We knew how we felt about the last album, but weren't sure how it would be received by listeners,' explains MC Esoteric. But people really responded to it, even more than we had hoped. That gave us the confidence to really spread our wings and let loose on this one. The chemistry is even tighter this time around. We know exactly what lanes we are cruising in and what weight class we are fighting in for Round 2.' Inspectah Deck adds, Czarface is like the Danger Room for the X-Men, I can use all my weapons on there. When I'm in Wu-Tang, I have to come a certain way because we have a certain style of fan, when I'm here doing the Czarface projects, it allows me to actually be an MC, it allows me to actually just spit...I love that. I love when i can just spit freely and just be an MC.' The fighting analogy - whether drawn from pugilism or '80s wrestling, both which figure into Every Hero Needs A Villain - is an apt one, considering the unrelenting lyrical attacks that Deck and Esoteric unleash on track after track, each trying to one-up the previous verse. Best of all, it is friendly camaraderie, based around a loose theme of renegade mutant MC talents running wild. DJ 7L explains, All three of us are influenced by comics, sci-fi movies, TV, wrestling. Czarface encompasses all of that, and it helps with the visuals as well.' On the production side, 7L shows yet again - as he did with the group's debut - that he remains a formidable yet underappreciated musical force, constantly providing hard, funky and alternatingly ominous backdrops for the assembled MCs to use as lyrical luge paths. If that wasn't enough, it's all iced with a ridiculously intricate and beefy 70-plus page, hardcover CD casebook with lyrics and extensive artwork by Gilberto Aguirre Mata (El Ultimo Codice) and L'amour Supreme, and with Death & Abduction,' a comic written by Esoteric, and an explosive, comic-book-inspired cover by L'amour Supreme (Mishka NYC).

01. Don The Armor
02. Czartacus
03. Lumberjack Match
04. Nightcrawler (Feat. Method Man)
05. World Premier (Feat. Large Professor)
06. The Great (Czar Guitar)
07. Red Alert
08. Junkyard Dogs (Feat. Juju Of The Beatnuts)
09. Sgt. Slaughter
10. When Gods Go Mad (Feat. Gza)
11. Ka-Bang! (Feat. Mf Doom)
12. Deadly Class (Feat. Meyhem Lauren)
13. Escape From Czarkham Asylum
14. Sinister
15. Good Villains Go Last (Feat. Ra The Rugged Man)