As electronic music pioneers and co-founders of Soma Records, Slam have continually reshaped the landscape of underground techno. With their forthcoming album, Dark Channel – their first in seven years – they deliver a fierce, club-focused record that speaks directly to the fractured, chaotic world we find ourselves in.
Written in an intense three-week burst using only their live setup—modular synths, a Roland 909, Ableton, Push controller, and outboard effects – Dark Channel strips things back to the raw essentials. In contrast to previous records with a more exploratory approach, this record is deliberately singular in focus: a high-voltage, peak-time homage to the relentless energy of the dance floor.
The year 2025 feels like an echo of dystopia’s past – division, extremism, and disconnection dominate the cultural landscape. In this atmosphere of instability, the dance floor stands defiant. It is a sanctuary. A space for unity, for expression, for release. A place where rhythm becomes resistance and music speaks in a language deeper than words.
Dark Channel is Slam’s tribute to that sacred space: a no-holds-barred celebration of the dance floor’s enduring power to connect, liberate, and remind us of our shared humanity – even in the darkest of times.
Ahead of the album’s release, Slam shared lead single Kulture Version. While still retaining the formidable bite and dark tones the duo are known for, the track is a vigorous, coruscating six-minute odyssey, with thumping low-end punch, melodic metallic synth echoes and a brief vocal interlude – pure emotive dance floor energy for the here and now.
Slam make no mistake when it comes to the sonic tone of the album as it opens with the tribalistic Use It, Lose It before the discordant sounds of title and focus track Dark Channel hints at the relentless nature of things to come. The intensity continues with Parametric Factor & Glide – both pushing a pulsating, synth driven trip; the later leading on a more traditional Slam percussive workout. The dance floor warping Morganatic pursues dark territory while Infinit Spaces adds trippy FX to an already animated synth hook.
The pace quickens yet again with Ghost Dancer highlighting sub tones whilst still crafting ominous intonations with its modulating FX. Approaching the conclusion, the ferocious Beat On The Drum delivers a lesson in rhythm and energy before the contorted Irregular Object completes proceedings in a suitably hypnotic fashion.
Dark Channel is out now via Soma Records, landing both digitally and as a limited edition double 12″ vinyl here.
TRACKLIST:
- Use It, Lose It
- Dark Channel
- Parametric Factor
- Glide
- Morganatic
- Infinit Spaces
- Kuture Version
- Ghost Dancer
- Beat On The Drum
- Irregular Object
Tour dates:
28.05.25 – L’aérogare Station Lothaire, East
31.05.25 – PRESSURE YARD SESSIONS #1, SWG3, Glasgow
14.06.25 – The Cause: 7th Birthday, The Cause, London
05.07.25 – 808 Techno at CIRCUIT, Leopardstown Racecourse, Dublin
Slam Biography
Slam are a tour de force on the global techno circuit. Their unique, 6 deck, back-to-back DJ performances have seen the duo play leading clubs & festivals across the world. They are renowned for both their experience and their powerful, contemporary sound.
They are co-owners of Glasgow’s Riverside Festival, and also host the legendary Maximum Pressure warehouse parties, which showcase the best emerging local talent alongside some of the most established names in international techno. Their iconic Soma Records label boasts in excess of 600 releases, hosting Mcmillan and Meikle’s own productions and many of today’s most cutting-edge techno artists.
The last few years have seen some of the duo’s most prolific studio output as they continue to innovate and keep things moving forward, most recently with the release of their experimental full length record Athenæum 101. In addition, Slam have also remixed tracks from the likes of Planetary Assault Systems, Clouds, Dax J, Damon Wild, Richie Hawtin, and Truncate, to name just a few.
Slam also host one of Techno’s most respected weekly podcasts, Slam Radio, which has now surpassed over 630 episodes. The show allows the duo to demonstrate their conviction to creating and promoting music and vibes that provide an antidote to the mainstream by inviting fellow artists from the vibrant Techno scene, from obscure names to current trailblazers.
Connect with Slam:Instagram | Facebook | Spotify