Johannes Heil ‎– Feiern

Thumping techno from Johannes Heil on FEIERN. “The Calling, Pt. 1” kicks off the album on strong note, setting the tempo and vibe early on—the loops keeps circling around each other and the beat drops out entirely. But make no mistake, the rhythm stomps defiantly through these tracks, as if commanding you to move. “Kung Fu” incorporates a more tribal drum pattern, while “Pax, Pt. 3” skips along with its filtered synth pattery. If you’re in the mood for more of an acid sound, “Calling, Pt. 2” will hit the spot; if you prefer the deep, dubby sound, “Doctrine of Creation” is the way to go. Techno purists can always rely on “Djunglebook.” But as solid as these tracks are, the loop repetition can wear thin: “Feiern, Pt. 1” doesn’t develop beyond its initial melody, and the wobbly electronics of “Feiern, Pt. 4” never quite cohere (there’s also a weird glitch halfway through that almost sounds like a mastering error). But “Golden Dawn” has a brightness that’s difficult to resist as it closes out the album. Strong, but not Heil’s absolute best work.