Ellen Allien’s UFO Inc releases Alien Rain’s Empire of Illusion

Ellen Allien is putting together a lethal line-up on UFO Inc, with some of the best techno V/A releases of the last few years and a really dope series of EPs from a limited circle of artists. Two of the latter showcase the music of Alien Rain, aka veteran German producer Milton Bradley. Empire of Illusion is described on the box as “four incendiary slices of mutoid funk” and that’s a description that’s hard to beat. Bradley has always been one of Berlin’s most enigmatic producers and one of my favorites and the eclectic shapes of Empire of Illusion are not an exception to the rule.

“Numbers Station” toys around with the creepy broadcasts from the world of spy radio stations, with ravey orchestra hits punching at the monotonous dead voices and daring them to answer.

The b-side is when it gets really deep, with a pair of 303-driven tracks. “Misery Business” is madness: I don’t think it’s possible to overdose on acid but Bradley gives it his best shot. “Alien Tool 1” is even better: a stripped down fury of acid sequences and hydraulic kicks. And it ends without a fade, without a percussion pattern. It just fucking dies, like it can’t go on one second longer.

Alien Rain: Empire of Illusion (UFO Inc / March 2021 / 12″ Vinyl/Digital)
1. Alien Rain: Empire Of Illusion (05:16)
2. Alien Rain: Numbers Station (04:29)
3. Alien Rain: Misery Business (05:51)
4. Alien Rain: Alien Tool 1 (05:02)

⚪️ Disclosure Statement: This record was not submitted as a promo.

This was originally published in 5 Mag issue 189: #DieTrying with Josh Milan, Ashley Beedle, Terry Farley, Jackie Queens & more. Support 5 Mag by becoming a member for just $1 per issue.