TuneLab
KAS:ST
at Cercle Festival 2022 (Ariane Stage)
KAS:ST at the Cercle Festival, on the Ariane Stage named for a rocket, is a fitting venue for their brand of cosmic, often-brooding melodic techno. The vibe is futuristic and intense, all stark lighting and a crowd moving as one dark mass under a geometric stage structure. This is for the heads who find beauty in darkness, where every kick drum feels like a step into the void. Technically, it’s driving techno with a melodic spine, averaging 129 BPM and dominated by the dramatic, minor keys of 12A and 3B.
The energy is relentless but nuanced, with a powerful, persistent low-end, atmospheric mid-range pads, and sharp, metallic highs that cut through the mix. The progression is linear and hypnotic, building tension through repetition and subtle textural shifts rather than obvious drops. For crate enthusiasts, the opener 'Lost in Techno' by Gianni Di Bernardo & Rian Wood sets a perfectly ominous tone. Dosem’s 'All Locations' is a sleek, driving weapon, while the Teenage Mutants remix of 'Sonic Fuse' by Nakadia and Sean & Dee injects a harder, more peak-time energy.
Long Distance Poison’s 'Signal II (Steve Moore Remix)' offers a darker, more experimental interlude, and Vivas’s 'Meteor' provides a soaring, melodic climax. The journey starts with the foreboding 'Lost in Techno,' builds through layers of atmospheric pressure, and concludes with the epic, melancholic release of their own 'Leaving Earth' with Gordo.