TuneLab
Dominik Eulberg
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg in France for Cercle
Dominik Eulberg at Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg for Cercle is what happens when a German nature-nerd and techno producer is let loose in a French castle—the result is predictably epic, whimsical, and slightly unhinged. We are here for the bird samples, the synth lines that sound like babbling brooks, and the profound sense that we are all just animals in a very fancy ruin. The vibe is part documentary, part rave, with Eulberg's exuberant energy infectious against the stoic, historic backdrop. This is melodic techno and electronica with a strong organic bent, sprawling across a 100-167 BPM range but averaging a danceable 126.6 BPM, with keys like 12A and 7B providing a dramatic base.
The energy is low-end heavy at 75%, allowing the intricate mid-range melodies and nature-field recordings to shine through without competition. Eulberg's set is a journey through his eclectic influences, blending driving techno, prog-house, and moments of pure ambient wonder with the joy of a kid in a sonic candy shop. His mixing is enthusiastic and narrative-driven, often letting tracks play out to tell their full story. The selections are wonderfully odd: Dennis Sheperd's “Infinity” opens with trancey grandeur, while NØFACE's “DOWN” injects a shot of contemporary, peak-time techno.
The dash into Jamie Jones's “Murder Mystery” is a welcome, sleazy tech-house groove, and Anti-Slam & W.E.A.P.O.N.'s “Bang (Live)” is pure, unadulterated rave chaos. Rival Consoles' “Persona” offers a moment of sophisticated, IDM-inspired reflection. The journey begins with the soaring “Infinity,” twists through the forest of genres in the mid-set, and concludes with the 23-minute, joyous disco-tek overhaul of “I Feel Love,” a marathon of pure, uncynical fun.