STM 137 - Teste

Teste is the legendary techno project from Canada that emerged in 1992 with its classic release “The Wipe,” which subtly influenced the generations ahead as well as the contemporary landscape of atmospheric techno and related genres. Their sound affected a wide variety of techno artists ranging from Donato Dozzy to Claudio PRC to Dino Sabatini, Rrose, or Function. “The Wipe” (its “5AM Synaptic” and “Sonik Dub” versions) is an intense and hypnotic exploration of spacious atmospheric techno, bursting with energy and immersing the listener into its monolithic vaults of cosmic sonics. The single draws some elements from the industrial genre and represents a new approach to techno. It is definitely one of the most influential and impressive pieces from that decade.

The story began when Teste, which at that time consisted of Dave Foster (aka Preceptrons), Thomas S. Browning, and Himadri Ghosh (who is no longer involved with the band), handed their demo cassette to Richie Hawtin. After admitting he listened to it many times on repeat, he released the album on his own Probe Records. Now, after more than 20 years, this piece still sounds fresh, and with the genre constantly reinventing itself, its influence remains. Now Teste operates as a duo and continues to fascinate with its great sets. A new version of “The Wipe” was released by Edit Select, together with “The Rewipes” plate with remixes from the aforementioned Rrose and Dino Sabatini.

This diverse, yet coherently crafted selection (originally titled “Containment Facility”) represents the apparent and more implicit influences of Teste. It was compiled by David Foster aka HUREN. The result is an intense and raw attack of harsh sonic structures ranging from aggressive noise/industrial outbursts to atmospheric techno. The mix also includes an excellent Claudio PRC remix of “The Wipe,” which perfectly fits in this context. The industrial background is hinted at in KK Null excerpts or Clock DVA track tweaked by HUREN himself. Neu!'s “Für Immer” version infuses some kosmische touch into the whole picture. This collection also encompasses artists from different eras and aesthetic backgrounds—from 70’s classically trained conductor and experimentalist Nino Nardini to American drummer Keith LeBlanc or legendary UK techno by Mark Broom. There is also a place for futurist atmospheres of SNTS or such industrial underground voyagers as Pessary or Eric Random. All these pieces are merged into a coherent whole of uneasy but adventurous listening of complex, spacious, and in-depth sounds of industrial techno.