Audiopile Review: Sandwell District forged the menacing edge of post-punk, the subterranean pulse of Basic Channel and the militaristic force of classic Detroit techno into a codified sound that pulled in fans from across the musical spectrum. For some, including a few of us here, they launched a newfound interest in modern techno, their razor-sharp sound becoming the new benchmark in the genre, one rarely reached by the many who tried. It wasn’t a big leap for the kids into the waning harsh noise scene or those just getting into the concurrent Minimal Wave reissues to be diving deep into the blossoming sounds of Sandwell District. Listening back on these tracks now, it’s amazing to hear how well they’ve aged. From the industrial strength bombs of Function, to the expertly tweaked hand of de-facto leader, Karl O’Connor (aka Regis), or the sleek minimalism of Juan Mendez’s Silent Servant guise, Sandwell District sounds as much like the future now as it did more than a decade ago. And considering the instant sell-out of the Feed-Forward boxset reissue last year, its clear that we’re still craving that their formula. Sadly, Juan Mendez would pass away before this victory lap for Sandwell District. His contribution to the Sandwell sound is a key component to their lasting legacy. RIP.

Female, Function, Silent Servant and Regis aka Sandwell District aren’t finished with the collective’s revival just yet. The seismic force that could be felt from subwoofers stationed in clubs all over the world was rekindled ten years later with the 2023 edition of their landmark album Feed Forward, selling out almost instantly for the second time. Their distinct brand of heavyweight techno snakes through the crowds once again, but there’s still more to tell of the label’s story. WHERE NEXT ? picks up the thread started by last year’s reissue, collecting tracks and singles released by the collective’s core artists as well as some unreleased bangers lurking in the album’s mist.

As with any transmission from Sandwell District, these are extended techno workouts and four to the floor productions for dimly lit undergrounds. WHERE NEXT ? plays out that contrast between the depths of rumbling sub bass and the treble of crisp snaps and claps, minimal in palette yet maximally tearing up the dancefloor. The subterranean wobble of opening ‘Reykjavik’ shifts plates with its incessantly pounding rhythm, while a reverent choir is repitched and icy thunderclaps reverberate into the vastness. Kalon’s mix of ‘Violencia’ pits dubwise synths against a pummelling beat, anchoring the bitcrushed noise throttles that spark and fluctuate throughout the track’s turbulence before roaring into an ecstatic climax. After silvery mechanical throbs and restless technological pulses, ‘Inter’ is a brighter break from the album’s intense rush, closing with lush, light drum machines and suitably cinematic pads.

Sandwell District keep the flame burning on WHAT NEXT ? with an essential collection pulling from the label’s legacy.