Rebekah

Rebekah in a virtual Gashouder for Awakenings 2020—because even pandemics can’t stop the relentless march of hard techno. This set is for the purists, the ones who believe a kick drum should be a weapon of mass distortion, and melody is a sign of weakness. The vibe is intense and focused, with digital recreations of industrial lighting and a sense of solitary, head-nodding dedication. Technically, this is hard techno at its most stripped-back and driving, averaging 139-140 BPM with Camelot key 7A providing a dark, hypnotic foundation.

The energy is overwhelmingly low-end, with pounding kicks and rumbling basslines that dominate, while mid-range elements like acid lines and percussive hits add texture without relief. Rebekah’s mixing is functional and relentless, using long blends and loop layering to maintain a steady, punishing pace, with key shifts to 11B and 10B introducing subtle harmonic tension. With only seven tracks, this is a masterclass in endurance and selection: Hippy Cat’s 'Amsterdamn' is a gritty, rolling opener that sets the tone. Shesh’s 'Jay Mahakal (Bolbam Song)' introduces Eastern-inflected samples over a brutal rhythm, and Tribal Energy’s 'Energised (soft ceiling mix)' offers a slightly more atmospheric, yet still driving, interlude.

Twan’s 'Ammunition' lives up to its name with percussive ferocity, and Thomas J. Laren’s 'Heroes of Mayday' adds a nostalgic, rave-inspired edge. The journey begins with an unknown track, builds through these industrial tools, and concludes with the 25-minute marathon of Tanti’s 'El Soundsystem Ska,' a sprawling, ska-inflected techno epic that tests our stamina and rewards our patience.