Ellen Allien, one of techno’s most iconic figures, has teamed up with Italian synth wave band Ash Code to create an epic track called Dance and Kill.
These two artists are bringing together their creative energies to make some seriously fearsome music. Ellen and Ash Code share a mutual respect for each other’s work, and it shows in the way they merge their sounds. It’s like a meeting of Napoli and Berlin, or cold wave and techno.
The EP is a perfect example of how these two sounds have a lot in common. They both use synths, basslines, moody melodies, and vocals to create their music. And speaking of vocals, Ellen’s voice is a key part of her music. She’s known for making her own edits and giving her sets a unique sound and feel. Her dark and mysterious vocals can be heard on albums like Stadkind, where she conveys passion and radical thoughts.
As for Ash Code, they’re a band from Italy who are known for fusing post-punk, synthpop, and EBM. They approached Ellen to collaborate on this project, and it’s easy to see why. She’s well-known in cold wave circles for creating her techno edits, and she’s even remixed bands like Lebanon Hanover.
The track itself is a marriage of two potent and distinctive sounds. Across three tracks, you’ll hear eerie vocal clips, vigorous percussion, stomping bass, distorted vocals, and ominous instrumentation. The opening track, Dance and Kill, set the tone for the EP by melding techno and cold wave elements. Shining On You features Ellen’s vocals and thunderous drum programming, making for a sombre yet irresistibly danceable track. Finally, Everything Collapses unleashes vigorous percussion and a snarling low end, lifted by a chorus of supernatural voices.