Genre/Influences: Dark-Techno, Techno-Body.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: Obscure Formats is a side-project of Snowbeasts and mainly of Raab Codec. An impressive number of productions have been released in a very short lapse of time, “Cryptid” being the third album of Obscure Formats for 2020. The title of the work deals about ‘a creature of legend’.

Content: I expected something totally different when I knew what the title of the album is all about; something more Ambient or ritual-like. But Obscure Formats deals with the dark side of Techno music! The songs are driven by heavy beats while the electronic composition is characterized by EBM-inspired bass lines and dark atmospheres. The work has something linear, but that’s what Techno music stands for.

+ + + : “Cryptid” is a powerful production; a dark and perverted Techno format for parties in dark cellars. Pure underground! I like this approach, which is comparable to some Berliner productions in the genre and yet, this is also different. It’s more obscure and underground-like. “Basilisk” and “Ahool” both are very efficient compositions to understand the approach of this artist. I also have to mention “Tatzelwurm” driven by a phenomenal, cold tune and carried by a strong bass line. The repetitive sequences have something exciting creating a trance effect.

– – – : Some passages are a little bit too repetitive creating an unaccomplished effect, but in the end that’s often what Techno reflects.

Conclusion: If you think you’ve already heard the darkest formats of Techno music, Obscure Formats will open a forbidden door to an unknown dimension!

Best songs: “Basilisk”, “Ahool”, “Tatzelwurm”, “Mothman”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/snowbeasts

Label: www.m-tronic.com / www.facebook.com/mtroniclabel