Blog representing a community dedicated to the deep and atmospheric sides of underground electronic music.
“Hypnotic techno” is an aesthetic based on “a timeless repetition”, as opposed to “progressive techno” (although today’s hypnotic techno does have some subtle progression). The aesthetic emerged from Detroit and Säcko’s cold minimalism, “coloured” then by bands such as Basic Channel, to get more atmospheric later mainly thanks to the Italian school, which brought it into the chill-out culture.
Technically, the hypnosis is basically induced by constant repetition, originally stripped down at its core, today intensified by textures, spirals and/or kinematics made of deep melodies, walking in a very narrow path with sound design. The deep beat – mono- or polyrhythmic & usually without snare – contributes to the immersion.
EXAMPLES:
Old school hypnotic techno: “an alienating repetition” ➞ Robert Hood – Minus [Tresor, 1994]
Italian hypnotic techno: “a relaxing repetition” ➞ Voices from the Lake – Velo di Maya [The Bunker NY, 2014]
A typical contemporary hypnotic techno mix: Claudio PRC @ HÖR BERLIN 2023
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