Chris Liebing - Auf Und... Remixed

sallman said on Thu, 07/15/2010 - 20:53

Artist: Chris Liebing

Title: Auf Und… Remixed

Label: CLR

Catalog #: CLR034

Genre: Techno

Release Date: June 28, 2010

Rating: 8.5

After a successful 10 year CLR series, Chris Liebing offers up yet another rewarding release. However, this time Liebing turns to an all-star cast of techno talent to remix last year’s massive, “Auf und Ab.” As always, this is in-your-face, relentless techno, yet each remix offers something completely foreign from the next. There is low-slung drudgery in addition to sweltering tension ridden builds, all adding to a riot inciting edge-of-your-seat thrill ride. I never thought I would ever type those words, but I couldn’t find a better way to emphasize this EP’s universal anxiety and the way it fills your brain with evil endorphins.

Scottish maestro, Edit Select, focuses on transforming “Auf und Ab” into robotic anarchy on his second remix, though with a steady backbeat to avoid letting things get too out of hand. It’s kind of like an episode of Battlebots that didn’t suck, even though that could never happen. Edit Select works miracles and judging by the responses of his peers, remix number two is the way to go. I would agree, but I feel as though the bass is a littlenmore refreshing on his first remix, which truly breaks into new areas of space and sound.

The Dustin Zahn and Decimal mix is the best overall package. What quality mix of a Chris Liebing track would be complete without a heinously selfish build-up? Zahn and Decimal deliver thoroughly on the build-up and I must give props to them for being brave and creating a track that could have actually been several mixes. There are just so many aggressively pleasing phrases and turns that I cannot refuse a dance floor flashback or two. One complaint that I have is the atmosphere can be a little more bark than bite. The threatening synths can go a little overboard in a forced way, but aside from that it’s fantastic.

Drumcell and Audio Injection offer the most understated, but not to be overlooked mixes on the EP. Though the peaks that they design aren’t nearly as mountainous as some of the others, their obsession with the details leaves something to be admired. While the “Strait” mix provides the greatest peaks, the “Noise” fills the space more effectively. It creates a hollow void that could only have been improved with a heavier assault. The background buzz isn’t quite enough to mold a truly ill omened moment.

After 10 years with Chris Liebing and CLR, the non-stop barrage doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. On Auf Und… Remixed, Liebing boasts an impressive network of talent that reinforces his darkly decadent world. Despite what else is out there, Liebing remains steadfast and uncompromised. If you have any questions or concerns about techno, ask Chris Liebing, he’s the authority.

-Andrew Reilly

Tracks:

A) Auf und Ab (Edit Select OCD Remixes pt. 2)

B) Auf und Davon (Zahn & Decimal‘s Slow Burner)

-Digital:

1) Auf und Ab (Edit Select OCD Remixes pt. 1)

2) Auf und Ab (Drumcell & Audio_Injection_Noise_Remix)

3) Auf und Ab (Drumcell & Audio_Injection_Straight_Remix)