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Recycling Wax is scary.
Robin Tasi
October 30, 2025
Hey there,
Halloween is just around the corner, and in Germany, that usually means one thing: holiday = party = drinking. Today it’s all about music that’s dark, heavy, dirty, and somehow fits the Halloween theme. 👻🎃 Let’s see if I can pull this off:
But first, let’s begin as usual, as follows:
Recent Cuts - Fresh vinyl and digital releases worth checking out.
Essential Oldschool - Records from the 90s and early 2000s that still matter today.
Behind the Booth - Personal stories, lessons, and perspectives from life as a DJ.
What’s in my Bag? - A peek into recent gig selections, new digs, and timeless records.
Top 5 by Budel 303 - A handpicked selection, carefully curated each week by DJs.
Community Pick of the Week by cgarfias562 - One favorite from the community.
1. Recent Cuts - Fresh vinyl and digital releases worth checking out.
 © decks.de |  © deejay.de |
#1 Powell - We Do Recover: Halloween is known for its eerie atmosphere. When I think of the horror level in Banjo Kazooie, one thing stands out above all: the sound of the organ. And that exact instrument can be heard right away on the A1 track of the album “All These Feelings.” Overall, it’s a very well-balanced record, ranging from ambient to experimental, but also quite electro-heavy. A total of 21 tracks on this 2LP, each one more beautiful than the next. The atmosphere, the emotions, everything keeps shifting as you listen, and that’s exactly what it’s supposed to do. Gorgeous, and perfect for simply enjoying music. A clear TOP recommendation! | #2 Terence Fixmer - Electrostatic / Electric Vision: Next up is Terence Fixmer, who reissued two of his classics on red vinyl. The French artist has such an incredible history. I’m reading through his discography as I write this, and I have to say, it’s insane how long the list is. I’m a huge fan of his, but I also have mixed feelings about his name. Not his fault, but I once left his single-sided record “Aktion Mekanik Theme” in a club. I used to test every club’s turntable anti-skating with that record. I’m still honestly sad about it. :-( |
 © hhv.de |  © bandcamp.com |
#3 Dold, Dhaeur - BIN007: Dold I usually associate with happier vibes, not something this dark. It still has those lush pads, like most of his productions, but the sci-fi and atmospheric elements give it a darker edge. The piano, or at least what sounds like a piano on the A1, adds to that mood. But DHÆUR absolutely steals the show here, no question. Minimalistic, yet unbelievably GENIUS! I’m actually listening to it as I write this, and every single element just pushes me into space. That beeping sound with all that reverb, this must absolutely destroy a club floor. Insane! MUST-HAVE! | #4 Oscar Mulero & Pyramidal Decode - Il Poema: Now, I have to say something that might not sit well with everyone: Oscar Mulero’s newer productions don’t really grab me anymore. They used to, especially his older stuff on Kobayashi Recordings. Such brilliant tracks. But I always give every artist the chance to prove me wrong, and this time, he did. Together with Pyramidal Decode, he’s delivered an absolutely stunning LP: cohesive, dark, bleepy, exactly what we know and love from Oscar Mulero. And wow, “Cerbero” by Pyramidal Decode is a BEAST! A beautiful synergy between both artists. |
 © decks.de | #5 Ricardo Garduno - TAR 38: Lastly, we’ve got Thanos’ label “Tar Hallow.” Based in Rotterdam and also working with Triple Vision, Thanos has built one of the most significant labels currently on the scene. Every release is a banger, timeless, and perfectly curated. No surprise that Ricardo Garduno delivers that same level of quality. Admittedly, this record is the least dark of all mentioned here, and it doesn’t fit our Halloween theme quite as well, but it still has a certain moody edge. Definitely not one to miss! |
2. Essential Oldschool - Records from the 90s and early 2000s that still matter today.
 © bandcamp.com |  © bandcamp.com |
#1 Al Ferox - Kobayashi 017 Reworks: The Italian Al Ferox, aka Alessandro Farace, is a big number when it comes to creepy, horror-infused techno. He’s been one of my absolute favorite artists for almost a decade, ever since I first discovered him on vinyl at Record Loft in Berlin. Not only was Kobayashi Recordings one of the most important techno labels of the ’90s, but so was Dancefloor Killers. And yes, I’ve picked what might just be his scariest track ever: “Shaved Woman From Outerspace”, which appears on the 2xVinyl “Kobayashi 017 Reworks.” Al Ferox even remixed it himself, pure goosebumps. The accompanying video is deeply disturbing, too. I still remember when Kobosil used to play this track non-stop. Yes, back when Kobosil still made great music, especially during his days as a Berghain resident. There’s even a Boiler Room video from 2016(the 5th anniversary set) that’s still absolutely brilliant and dark as hell. | #2 The Horrorist - Manic Panic: “Hello. My name is Oliver. And I’m gonna tell you… a story!”. The name of the next artist says it all. Not only did Al Ferox and The Horrorist (a.k.a. Oliver Chesler) make music together, but Chesler himself knew exactly how to disturb people. That’s the key difference: while Al Ferox is a master of distorted production, The Horrorist adds another layer; he’s also a brilliant lyricist. The lyrical “I” in his songs, his artistic persona, often tells stories of horrific acts, and they really are horrific. While “Manic Panic” isn’t my absolute favorite of his albums (that title goes to “Attack Decay”), Manic Panic is definitely the creepiest one. I love every single track. It’s a real shame it was never pressed on vinyl. I would’ve bought it immediately. These days, Oliver Chesler runs VOLK, an oyster bar in Berlin-Mitte that offers more than just oysters, together with his girlfriend (or wife by now?!). Sadly, it seems he won’t be returning to the stage, and that’s unfortunate, because he’s one of the five artists I still dream of seeing live in a club. I guess I’ll just have to make peace with that. |
 © discogs.com |  © discogs.com |
#3 Oliver Lieb Feat. Klaus Kinski - Jesus Ist Da!: For those outside Germany: Klaus Kinski was a German actor known for his intense performances, and, perhaps even more famously, his explosive temper. He even starred in Hollywood productions, which was quite rare for a German actor at the time. Whenever someone impersonates Kinski, it’s always with wild gestures and furious shouting. The track “Jesus Ist Da” by Oliver Lieb uses Kinski’s vocals from his 1971 performance “Jesus Christus Erlöser” (Jesus Christ Saviour). During that infamous live show, Kinski was repeatedly interrupted by the audience, leading to several angry outbursts as he stopped and restarted the performance multiple times. You can still watch it on YouTube with English subtitles. In Lieb’s version, Kinski’s voice becomes distorted and monstrous toward the end, making it perfect for a Halloween vibe. Jesus ist da! indeed. | #4 Cym Dimension - Mental Scream: Finally, I’ll show you a record that’s been sitting in my collection for over ten years. As you know, I’m a huge hardcore and gabber fan. Sure, it’s simple music, but it’s insanely fun and powerful. Every year, Kathi and I play an “Only Hardcore / Gabber” set in the Fusion Keller in Münster, because we absolutely love the sound and the culture that thrives in the Netherlands. But even hardcore can get creepy sometimes. The track that instantly comes to mind is B2 – “Memory of God.” It’s hard, robotic, and sounds like the end of the world. Let’s just hope it’s not prophetic! |
3. Behind the Booth - Personal stories, lessons, and perspectives from life as a DJ.
I’m on my lunch break right now, sitting in the office eating a roll from the bakery, and I suddenly thought about the first time we ever did an in-store session at Black Plastic, the one where Techno and House records were being bought and presented to people for the very first time.
To me, it all felt so normal: there were about 40 people there at once, maybe 80 throughout the day, all happily digging through records, chatting about music, and showing each other their finds. But I also noticed the two owners, who at first looked kind of surprised by how people from the Techno scene handle records.
Before that, the store mainly offered Rock, Jazz, and Krautrock. And, as in most record stores in those genres, there are always a few customers who show up with a flashlight or LED lamp, inspecting every single scratch on a record, and then, shamelessly, still ask for a discount. Honestly, that kind of behavior would never even cross my mind. But I get it: when you’re a retailer, no matter the industry, you’ve got to be prepared for that kind of pickiness.
But the Techno culture, man, that’s a whole different thing. Like, I don’t even know it any other way. When I think about my own digging habits, I realize I only listen to each track for about a second; I can tell pretty fast if it’s something for me. What really annoys me, though, is when record stores put the inner sleeve into the jacket at a 90-degree angle so the record doesn’t fall out. At the listening station, it feels like I’m playing Tetris instead of focusing on the music.
As for handling records: sure, I don’t touch the grooves directly, I try to hold them by the label, but I was told you should also be careful when placing the record down. I forgot the term for it, but Micha from Black Plastic explained it to me: “spindle marks”, those tiny scratches or wear marks around the center hole of a record. Honestly, I’d never paid attention to that before, and I couldn’t care less. But at Black Plastic, that actually affects the record’s value. So yeah, the condition grading includes spindle marks too.
I don’t even want to know how many spindle marks I’ve left behind in record stores over the years! Hahaha… oh man. But I did learn something from that, and I’ve been trying to be more careful ever since. I actually try to avoid spindle marks now.
So, how are you in a record store? Have you ever thought about that kind of stuff before?
4. What’s in my Bag? - A peek into recent gig selections, new digs, and timeless records.
Last weekend I had some time off, a whole week away from my 9-to-5 job. I always try to use that time to recharge, because juggling two jobs can get stressful, even if DJing is definitely a kind of positive stress. But this Halloween, I’ll be playing at Junkyard. There are still about 50 tickets left at the moment, but we’re expecting a sellout by Friday. That means two full floors packed with people from Dortmund, and I’m sure many will show up in costume.
Junkyard has planned haunted house setups and other spooky gimmicks. I’ve actually never really done anything like that. Halloween has just never been my thing. I’m not a big fan of holidays in general, because in Germany they usually turn into one big drinking marathon. I’ve never really liked that. Plus, holidays always seem to come with some kind of obligatory party that can feel a bit forced, not something people do out of genuine joy.
And then there’s the dressing up, people love it. Me? Not so much. But I’ll survive. No one’s forcing me to be out on the streets that night or to wear a costume. Thank God for that, hahaha.
Alongside my “Essential Oldschool” list, I’ll be packing a few extra records for the Junkyard gig. I’ll try not to go too dark with the set, but I’ll definitely slip in a The Horrorist record or two. What I especially love to play next to EBM is New Beat Techno, a style, sadly, not everyone knows these days. It was a crucial part of the scene back in the day: a Belgian counter-movement to Acid House, blending elements of EBM, Acid, and even early Hardcore Techno.
So let me show you some hidden gems from that era.
 © discogs.com |  © discogs.com |
#1 Klangwerk - Klangwerk [ZYX 6194-12] | #2 “O” - Das Spiel [BOY 8821-12] |
 © discogs.com |  © discogs.com |
#3 Time Modem - The Time Of The Gathering [BOY 8818-12] | #4 New Scene - Impuls [BOY 2803-1] |
 © discogs.com | #5 Amnesia - Ibiza (Loco Acid Remix) [BCM 12010] |
5. Top 5 by Budel 303 - A handpicked selection, carefully curated each week.
This week’s TOP 5 is presented by my buddy Daniel, aka Budel 303. Honestly, I can’t even remember exactly how we first met, probably through the internet, because, well, we’re both nerds.
Daniel once played a live set on my terrace, which we streamed on Facebook. That was back before COVID, when livestreams were still kind of a gray area and nobody really cared much about copyright yet, something that, as we all know, became a huge topic once the pandemic hit and everyone started streaming.
For me, Daniel has always been, and still is, the one who flies the 303 flag the highest. His own productions fit seamlessly into his live sets; they sound incredible, and they instantly make you want to dance. On top of that, he’s an absolute party animal, always chasing good music and great vibes. Check out his latest release, Budel 303 - Raindrops, including seven digital tracks on ACID WORKS.
We’re both already super excited about Woody McBride coming to Bochum (just 10 kilometers from Dortmund) at the end of November to play live. That’s a big deal for both of us, and we can’t wait. Hopefully, we’ll be standing there soon, hugging each other in pure joy, because Woody delivers an absolutely killer set.
But until then, I’ll hand it over to Daniel. Thanks for taking the time!
 © bandcamp.com |  © discogs.com |
#1 Super Rhythm Trax / Don’t Recordings: Two labels run by London’s finest, Jerome Hill. Super Rhythm Trax focuses on classic, old-school acid house with occasional ventures into electro, while Don’t Recordings leans more toward the techno side, though it often features that unmistakable 303 sound as well. | #2 Zodiak Commune Records: Hailing from the Netherlands, Zodiak Commune Records covers the full spectrum of acid-driven sounds. My personal favorite releases come from SOUR, who somehow always manages to hit exactly my taste. Their sublabel, Deep Acid Records, is also well worth checking out. |
 © bandcamp.com |  © soundcloud.com |
#3 I Love Acid / Balkan Vinyl: Back to the UK, the label behind the legendary I Love Acid parties. Over the years, it’s become a solid fixture in the British party and label scene, primarily run by Josh Doherty, one-half of Posthuman. Expect classic acid house, ambient explorations, and touches of old-school UK hardcore influences. | #4 Dizzy Tunes: A Berlin-based acid powerhouse with a hint of ghetto tech, run by DJ Krime 🙂 |
 © bandcamp.com | #5 Planet Rhythm: This one might come as a surprise, for ages, Planet Rhythm has been associated with straightforward techno. However, in recent years, they’ve released several acid-oriented records, often easily recognizable by their covers featuring “303” or a smiley face. As you’d expect, Planet Rhythm’s sound tends to be more driving and intense than that of the other labels listed here. |
6. Community Pick of the Week by cgarfias562 - One favorite from the community.
© discogs.com
#community #techno #peaktime
Marco Zaffarano - Pink Punk: Even though the cover looks anything but dark, today’s submission from cgarfias562 (I don’t know their real name, that’s just the part before the @) is actually quite dark indeed. The record they submitted is by Marco Zaffarano, featuring one track on each side.
The A-side especially stands out; the break is deeply moody, with a sharp, high-pitched string that adds real tension. The user wrote the following:
“Came across this release digging on Discogs. I randomly clicked on it and instantly fell in love with the driving bassline along with the vocal chops on the B-side. Both tracks are very powerful. It has slowly become one of my favorites in my collection.”
And honestly, I get why this one made it into your favorites. Both sides are just solid, well-produced tracks, and the price, only €7 from Spain, is totally reasonable!
cgarfias562, thanks so much for sending in your Community Pick of the Week!
And just like that, we’ve reached the end again. So, how did you like this Halloween episode? Pretty spooky, right? 👻
Have a great holiday, don’t party too hard, don’t drink too much, and make sure to enjoy the day off.
See you all next Thursday, back in full force! 🙂
And don’t forget: keep sending me your favorite track or record. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the one curating the next pick in the Community section.
Simply reply to this email or comment here with a link to your favorite E.P.
Catch you next week! Be ready to drop the needle on my next picks.
Keep it spinning,
Robin Tasi @ Recycling Wax
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