For nearly a decade, AIROD has been a steady presence in the techno scene, known for his high-energy sets and raw, industrial sound. Performing at both major festivals and underground venues, he primarily plays his own productions, often including unreleased tracks. He has released music on labels like Exhale, KNTXT, Molekül, and Monnom Black while also running his own imprint, Elixyr, to support emerging artists. His style blends heavy rhythms with hypnotic elements, keeping his sound dynamic as he continues to evolve within the genre.
AIROD gives us the top 5 tracks that has shaped his sound.
Ray Clarke "Illusions (Mix Uno)"
One of the first hardtrance tracks I discovered was in a set from Chris Liberator. He used to play a lot of acid, and this one is a combination of trance and acid. I found the track on Discogs years ago, so I had to put it in.
I don’t know much more about Ray Clarke, but I know he produced under this alias from 2000 until 2005 on this same label. All of his tracks are super well-produced and banging.
What I like about this era is that a lot of tracks are super repetitive, yet you don’t get bored. I think it’s something unique that we don’t really have today anymore—nowadays, we always search for a twist or something unexpected. But that’s not all bad either, I guess.
Ignition Technician "Eject"
I think it’s a UK duo, and for me, they were among the best producers of this era.
It’s insane how they can make their tracks bounce and groove. Their style is instantly recognizable, which I think is super important for an artist. There’s something very metallic and organic about their sound. A lot of their tracks go into loops, making them perfect for vinyl DJs who like to mix different tunes together.
They also did some collaboration EPs with Umek and Glenn Wilson, who were big names at the time.
DJ Pure "My Définition (Conticrash Mix)"
I love how this track is built—it actually had a big influence on how I structure my own tracks. The break in the middle has a huge rise, and the intensity before that moment is crazy. Then, the kick comes back in at an unexpected moment.
I love playing this track because it keeps you awake—you want to know what’s happening next, and the way it evolves is completely unpredictable.
Lars Klein & Michael Burkat "What Happened"
Same as above—the way this track is structured really influenced my approach to making music. The massive rise in the middle, the intense build-up, and the way the kick unexpectedly drops back in all make it a wild ride.
I love playing it because it keeps you on edge—you never really know what’s coming next, and that makes it exciting.
The Chemical Brothers "Another World"
This track has the perfect blend of surprise and consistency. It constantly evolves without losing its groove. The melody is simple yet hypnotic, and the way they mix atmospheric depth with an energetic kick inspires me to experiment with similar dynamics in my own productions.
