It’s time to set aside the lush stacks and atmospheric textures. Andrey Afanasjev has decided to show a new side of himself. Many know him from his dub-techno project Ekstendia—its dense, deep tracks have consistently resonated with the Superordinate Dub Waves audience.
However, his debut EP “Xyndrax” on the Russian label RRES (Rhythm Resonance) isn’t about dreaminess. It’s his entry into the world of RAW / Hypnotic Techno under his real name. And it’s a hard-hitting debut.
Artist: Andrey Afanasjev, This Isn’t Techno™
Title: Xyndrax EP
Genre: Electronic
Style: Deep / RAW / Hypnotic Techno.
♪ OPEN IN “TECHNO ROOM” PLAYLIST ♪
Listen up. “Xyndrax” is four tracks of pure hardgroove. Afanasyev doesn’t beat around the bush; he hits the mark dead on. The tempo is 144 beats per minute. This isn’t the kind of beat where you can just stand there and nod your head. It’s a tempo for closed eyes, a bent torso, and monotonous footwork in a dark corner of the room.
Phase 87, Miia Magia, and Lucyd have already recognized the quality of this material. Consequently, we’re not dealing with an amateurish concoction, but with a finely tuned tool for DJs.
What’s inside?
The key feature of “Xyndrax” is the balance between aggression and hypnosis. On the one hand, the tracks are charged with a muscular groove. On the other, they don’t lose that very hypnotic element for which the genre is prized.
The record sounds dark but energetic. Unlike his work as Ekstendia, there are no blurred tones or ambient pauses here. Instead:
- The rhythmic grid is rigid and unforgiving.
- Percussion: dry, crisp, industrial.
- Evolution — the loops change only slightly, but that is precisely what creates the trance-like effect.
Andrey Afanasjev makes it clear: he understands the genre inside out. “Xyndrax” sounds exactly as a high-quality techno track from 2026 should—without any unnecessary noise, but with just the right intensity. It’s a workhorse for the DJ set.
Perfect for: warming up the crowd before a heavy live set, peak hour at an underground club, or recording a mix in the style of old-school Truncate.
Listen to it: In complete darkness. Loud.
