Bipolar Niederflur

Bipolar implies, among other meanings, the opposing poles within an electrical device (e.g. Transistor), that, although those poles are pointed in different directions, work together as an unit serving a certain purpose. This meaning has always been of huge benefit for Hannes Wenner and Christopher Bleckmann and their approach to NIEDERFLUR. For well over a decade, these two have put combined their individual ideas into their music. Whether it be under the guise of MISC. or MONOPHACE, they have continued to challenge themselves by straddling the delicate border that is found between the two opposing poles of the club and home-listening experience. As a key component of the late ‘90’s burgeoning Cologne techno scene, NIEDERFLUR caught the ears of Richie Hawtin and his (then) young MINUS imprint…their first release “Autobahn” caused a wave of excitement in the techno community and over a very short period of time NIEDERFLUR would elevate to near legendary status thanks to their series of 12” releases inspired by their hometown subway system. Boomkat reviewed their 2002 full length “ND4” on MINUS being “examinations of the depths of German minimalism as they sample its natural acoustics, machine manifestations and other sounds indigenous to the platforms of the Teutonic unterwelt…a new height in minimal docu-techno.” After releasing two more 12"es and compilation-tracks on MINUS, there was silence. Until now. Last year, out of the blue, Canadian imprint ARCHIPEL issued a new NIEDERFLUR EP....”Lumen” was a startling return to the percussive, melodramatic minimalism the duo were known for and went on to become a Beatport bestselling chart breaker and played by countless DJ’s. Inspired by the support and motivated by the realization there is the initial spirit of truest techno has subsided, NIEDERFLUR have reunited and under their own imprint NIEDERFLURTRACKS have collected this breakthrough full length “Bipolar”. Leaping out the gates with the ominous crasher “Antiform”, the duo immediately impress with their cunning ability to tweak frequency and bass into precisely tuned aural art. Tracks as “Normalnull”and “Integral” demolishes the barriers of genre – inviting disparate beats that cleverly into an roll that resonates the aspects of modern techno/dubstep. “Bipolar” is a remarkable accomplishment for NIEDERFLUR – they unite the stark minimalism of their percussive drive with the melodic flair and varied flow to their music, bringing typically “DJ Tool” club techno into the living room with ease. “Feldstärke” is a brilliant demonstration. NIEDERFLUR have returned to relight the torch of true techno with their first album in almost a decade – uniting over a decade of experience as purveyors of teutonic techno with the modernity of solid bass and dubstep that swims above the current sea of so-called minimal techno - an obese myriad fattened by trend and overkill.