Kareem

Patrick Stottrop is a name that may not sound familiar to many, but the same can’t be said about his artistic alias – Kareem. His reputation is not a matter of luck. The German producer and founder of Zhark Recordings Berlin has been releasing some of the roughest and most visceral material of the last two decades. Throughout this time, his unique versatility has shown a consistent yet forward-looking approach, offering the perfect canvas to draw captivating landscapes built upon eclecticism. His output focuses on heavy industrial-techno beats and profound, drone-like distorted layers.

To find his first EP, we must look back to 1996, the year he released In The Bush and The Payback together with Hecate. His first long-player, however, arrived six years later. Entitled Full Spectrum Dominance (K2 O Recordings), it confirmed the evidence: Kareem had arrived to sculpt some of the most fascinating sounds in modern electronic music. Subsequent releases like Battlefield, Noctromas, Mesmer, and Porto Ronco cemented his status.

Among the jewels polished throughout his prolific career, two collaborative EPs shine as bright as his solo adventures. In a true display of power, 2012 saw Kareem step into the ring with Ancient Methods for the outstanding Exstinctio Conscientia. Later, in 2016, he surprised the scene with Le 17 Janvier Los Angeles, USA, co-authored with Huren. On this EP, the German producer provided listeners not only with the usual harsh 4/4 but explored other territories as well, particularly in the emotional drone ambient exercise titled “The Borromeos Arrival.”

In the records

STM 194 will undoubtedly quench the thirst of industrial enthusiasts. Beyond his roles as producer and label owner, Kareem’s skills behind the decks have earned him significant renown. All facets of his work share a common thread: extreme rhythmic energy and an incredibly heavy experience.

This 90-minute session combines an impressive list of proficiently mixed tracks—some created or remixed by Kareem, others by the most prominent names in industrial, techno, and experimental genres. Much like his own career, the mix begins by walking through various styles: starting with a sublime ambient exploration by Nathan Siter, moving to the elliptic structure of Shadow Huntaz, the sharp corrosion of Shapednoise (feat. Justin K. Broadrick), and the brutal breakcore of Christoph de Babalon.

From there, the intensity grows as techno and industrial sounds take over. The names speak for themselves: Blush Response, D’Arcangelo, Huren, Imminent Starvation, Speedy J, Vatican Shadow, Monica Hits The Ground, and Casual Violence. For his part, Kareem shares his unreleased killer remix of Stave’s “Minus” alongside other jaw-dropping pieces like “Boats” and “Unocal.”

All in all, this mix is a visceral gem—an intense trip consisting of 20 thoroughly chosen tracks with a special focus on industrial techno. Just like his live performances, it throws a good deal of muscle and hate, offering a ruthless way to shake the ground beneath our feet.