Following an impressive first edition, renowned DJ/Producer Marcel Fengler’s IMF imprint is back with another immersive VA from faces old and new. Undeniably electrifying from open to close, ‘HARDPROOF 02’ masterfully captures the varying shades of raw, contemporary Techno, delivering an unparalleled selection of captivating dancefloor weapons. Ukrainian producer Chontane gets the VA underway with ‘Mana Loa’, diving straight into the heavy stuff with fast-paced, industrious warehouse rawness. Undulating corrosive synth lines rip through the middle of the mix, orbited by a continuum of breakneck drum grooves and piercing percussive drive. ‘Urge’ sees Ferdinger use clean-cut Techno with authentic House flavours to carve out a mesmerising peak-time cut filled with robust low-end sonics, rhythmically weaved melodies and endlessly danceable energy from start to finish. Introversion’s ‘Canyonero’ cuts an entirely different line, blurring the lines between high- tempo Minimal/Tech and Techno. An endlessly groovy affair from the outset, built from a captivating bass of jazzy organs, swinging bassline and shuddering rhythms throughout; try not to dance to this - it’s impossible. Sigvard returns following a stellar outing on HARDPROOF 01, bringing ‘Mesmeric’ to the table. Another racy cut, combining a sea of melodic layers with firmly driven drums and a piercing percussive attack, bleeding into an expansive collection of dissolving harmonies, creating an undeniably mesmeric result. Spanish newcomers Ill Communication’s track ‘Gabapentina’ rounds off the VA with another slice of stunning musicality. A tide of rhythms and coarse percussion bring a slightly tribal tinge, complemented by the ebb and flow of sweeping synth lines, dissolving pads and a glitchy vox loop. HARDPROOF VA02 is available from 1st September 2023 via Marcel Fengler’s IMF.