Introduction to Adorn and “AI-5” EP
Adorn is a standout artist in the hard techno scene.
His latest EP, “AI-5,” released on May 10, captures attention with its intense rhythms.
He blends traditional hard techno with darker, industrial tones, reflecting significant historical events.
Each track explores themes from Brazil’s notorious AI-5 decree during the dictatorship era.
Adorn’s music entertains and educates, making “AI-5” a notable release in this year’s techno scene. This EP showcases his innovative approach and commitment to high-quality music production.
Who Is Adorn?
Adorn is a Brazilian DJ and producer. He has transitioned from being a drummer in the heavy metal scene to a prominent figure in hard techno.
Now based in Italy, Adorn has carved a niche in the underground music scene with his intense and aggressive musical style. His work is featured on several respected labels, including Cartel Recordings, Back in Black, Under Division, DSR Digital, Waxx Label, and Basse-cour.
In addition to producing tracks, he also manages his label, Rave Lemon, through which he aims to foster new talent and expand the reach of hard techno. Adorn’s dynamic approach and innovative productions hint at a promising and evolving future in the electronic music industry.
His notable EP, ‘Hobbes Didn’t Lie,’ released on DSR Digital Back in 2022, reached #11 on Beatport. Drawing on philosopher Thomas Hobbes’ ideas, the EP explores the darker aspects of human nature, linking to current global issues like war.
Learn more about Adorn’s rise in the hard techno scene in the previous article on Underground Talent.
Historical Context of Adorn “AI-5” EP
In 1964, Brazil underwent a dramatic change with a military coup that led to a long-lasting dictatorship.
This era intensified with the 1968 introduction of AI-5, granting the government sweeping powers. AI-5 allowed the regime to suppress freedoms, leading to arrests, torture, and widespread censorship.
Known as the darkest chapter in Brazil’s history, it marked the height of repression.
Adorn’s “AI-5” EP draws from this period, using hard techno sounds to echo those times’ intense emotions and oppressive atmosphere.
Exploring the Tracks of Adorn “AI-5” EP
Known for his intense, industrial soundscapes, Adron presents his latest EP, “AI-5,” a powerful blend of hard techno and historical reflection. This release marks a significant moment in Adron’s career, channelling Brazil’s turbulent past through raw and aggressive beats.
“AI-5”
The record’s first track, “AI-5,” is a representation of the dictatorship’s harsh beginning, drawing from the day the government issued Institutional Act Number Five. This decree began intensified authoritarian control, setting the tone for the EP. The track features dynamic drums and punchy, distorted kicks. Distorted vocal samples and high-pitched synths, reminiscent of laser shots, create an intense atmosphere. Rhythmic percussions drive the track, making it a hard techno classic.
“Esquadrão da Morte” (Death Squad)
“Esquadrão da Morte” follows with its noisy synths and classic 909 drums, evoking emotions of panic, brutality, anger, and fear. This powerful track reflects the grim reality of the death squads active during Brazil’s dictatorship. These squads ruthlessly persecuted and eliminated dissenters, including musicians, journalists, and activists, who opposed the regime. The heavy, relentless kicks mirror the brutality and fear that pervaded that period, encapsulating the terror of the era.
“V.P.R” (Revolutionary Popular Vanguard)
“V.P.R” (Revolutionary Popular Vanguard) shifts the focus to the resistance, highlighting the bold activists who fought valiantly against the oppressive regime. The track features aggressive, distorted synths in a 303 style, riding over dynamic and uplifting drums. It captures the spirit of defiance and hope for change with stirring rhythms and a robust techno rumble that evokes the energy of revolutionary movements. The track slows down with a well-crafted drop, building up again until the synths take over, driving the listener to another height.
“Anistia” (Amnesty)
The EP concludes with “Anistia” (Amnesty), which delves into the post-dictatorship period when controversial amnesties were granted, mostly to military figures responsible for numerous deaths and atrocities. The track starts with a classic 909 kick and synth sequences that distort reality. Uplifting hi-hats and drums fill the space, providing a rhythmic bounce. After the second break, hit-synths dominate, reflecting the brutality of the time. This track explores the complexities of forgiveness and the challenges of reconciling with a painful past, using a mix of sombre tones and hopeful melodies to express a nation’s journey towards healing.
Adorn’s EP stands as a testament to the power of music as a form of historical documentation and emotional expression.
This makes “AI-5” a significant release in the techno scene and beyond. Each track is carefully crafted to educate and provoke thought, ensuring that the legacy of Brazil’s past is not forgotten, or repeated.
Adorn’s Musical Style and Innovation
Adorn uses hard techno to mirror the historical darkness in “AI-5.”
His music features rapid beats and deep bass lines, symbolizing the era’s tension.
The EP’s tracks use synthetic sounds and rhythmic precision to evoke strong emotions, deepening listeners’ understanding of Brazil’s turbulent history.
Watch the Videoclip of Adorn – AI-5
Adorn: Artistic Vision and Intentions
We recently spoke with Adorn about his artistic vision and intentions.
During our discussion, he opened up about the historical themes in his music and their influence on his creative process.
Adorn provided insights into how his personal history, cultural background, and awareness of political issues shape his work, particularly seen in his latest EP, “AI-5.”
Stay tuned as we delve into what motivates Adorn’s unique sound and explore how he aims for his music to resonate with listeners and influence the broader techno scene.
Why Did You Choose Such a Historically Charged Theme for Your Music?
Adorn:
In the last few years, I have seen a lot of European artists making music with Brazilian acapella from Funk Music and MPB but I didn’t see any artists explaining why they do this. Of course, Brazilian and Latin music sounds groovy for Techno but also we have a big history behind this.
Since that period I decided to explain the big reason why we have speech freedom in Brazilian music today.
Before, during, and after the Dictatorship period, we had a lot of MPB artists persecuted and arrested or killed by the DCDP (Public Entertainment Censorship Division) and DOPS (Department of Political and Social Order).
The artists exiled in Europe and the USA returned to the country to continue MPB music alongside the others arrested.
Beyond this period, Brazilian Funk was born in the mid-1980s.
The beats from the Brazilian Funk were inspired and born through Hip hop, electro, and techno from the USA and Europe.
These are the stories behind the MPB and Brazilian Funk, for sure. If the dictatorship were still in force in the country, we would certainly no longer have any of these two genres of music. And I might not know or be doing techno today.
So, if you use samples or acapella from the Old or the new Funk, or MPB, you wanna thank them because there is a very difficult story of struggle and suffering behind Brazilian music.
What Do You Hope Listeners Will Understand From Your EP?
Adorn:
The EP showcases the main four periods of the dictatorship.
It begins with the proclamation of AI 5, which goes to the persecute and killing period through the Esquadrão da Morte (Death Squad). At the same time, we have the popular fight against the dictatorship behind the V.P.R (Popular Revolutionary Vanguard) and to finish we have the Amnesty time.
And like my EP “Hobbes Didn’t Lie”, I like to put history in my music.
Concluding Thoughts on “Adorn – AI-5”
Adorn’s “AI-5” serves as a powerful reminder of Brazil’s political history, emphasizing the importance of historical awareness.
The intense themes resonate deeply, likely attracting the techno community and underground audiences. Adorn bridges music with storytelling, making history not just learned but felt.
This could increase appreciation for human rights among listeners, making “AI-5” more than music. The EP is a significant cultural statement in modern techno.
It is expected to spark discussions and reflections, cementing Adron’s role as both a musician and a cultural educator.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
– George Santayana
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