Pascal Hetzel – ASLM (Album – Arkham Audio)
Genre/Influences: Dark-Techno, IDM
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: Berliner DJ/producer Pascal Hetzel has released numerous EP’s between 2014 and 2018. He now strikes back with his debut album released by the Belgian label Arkham Audio. Pascal Hetzel had not issued a full length before this one.
Content: “ASLM” is definitely driven by the darker side of Techno music. The tracks are carried by deep- and icy sound treatments which are like the trademark of the album. Some passages are more sophisticated touching ground with IDM.
+ + + : I first of all salute the intelligence of this production clearly confirming that Techno is much more than simply a bouncing kick. Pascal Hetzel reveals a darker side of the genre and elaborates his composition with alluring sound treatments. The opening pieces left me breathless for their hard and icy side. “CHMST” and “TWST” both are brilliant pieces revealing the genius of the artist. I also have to mention “MRJNGLS” and “BLLNR” for their subtle details.
– – – : A few passages are more into ‘classical’ Techno and aren’t exactly the best part of the work.
Conclusion: This debut album by Pascal Hetzel is an overwhelming and visionary Dark-Techno experience I can only, but highly recommend.
Best songs: “CHMST”, “TWST”, “MRJNGLS”, “BLLNR”, “RBBRMN”, “SPRM”.
Rate: 8½.
Listen to “ASLM”:
Artist: www.facebook.com/pascalhetzelmusic
Label: https://2k21.arkham.audio / www.facebook.com/arkhamaudiorecords
About Pascal Hetzel
Pascal Hetzel is a DJ and producer based in Berlin, Germany. His work mixes techno with IDM textures and darker, colder sound design.
His discography starts with the 12-inch “Who Knows / My Addiction” on Wood Recordings in 2013, followed by “Feel That Beat” in 2014 and “Divisions” in 2015, both on Upon.You. Further EPs appeared on Cyrk, Constant Variables, Expansion Unit, Caduceus Records and Flash Recordings between 2016 and 2018.
“ASLM”, a ten-track digital album, was released by the Belgian label Arkham Audio in 2022 and is his first full length. Arkham Audio issued the five-track “ASLM LP Remixes” in 2025. Side-Line published a Click Interview with Pascal Hetzel in May 2022.
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