COVER STORY


BEN KLOCK: BEYOND THE LAYERS OF TECHNO


Ben Klock is a monumental figure in the techno world. One of the architects of Berlin’s iconic Berghain sound, his influence is felt throughout the global electronic music community. Since emerging in the late 90s, Klock has shaped techno as a DJ, producer, curator, and label head. His ability to craft immersive, hypnotic, and soul-sti- rring techno has made him a cornerstone of the Berlin underground scene. His sets at Berghain have become the stuff of legend. His genre-de- fining label Klockworks has been home to his raw, relentless techno, earning him recognition as one of the genre’s true innovators. His productions have become anthems for those who live and breathe Berlin’s techno spirit.


His reputation as one of German techno’s all-time greats is firmly cemented but Ben Klock is not one to rest on his laurels and continues his musical evolution. His latest project, Layer One,


represents a bold departure from his


well-established techno roots. Teaming up with Fadi Mohem, the album explores new sonic realms, blending IDM, ambient, and experimental electronic sounds with a conceptual theme that imagines a post-human world where AI and digital remnants persist long after humanity has faded. Born out of the isolation and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Layer One reflects a new side of Klock’s artistry, one that speaks to the expansive possibilities beyond the confines of techno.


For Klock, Layer One is more than an album - it’s a statement. The work is both personal and conceptual,


evolving from warmer, analog


textures to colder, digital soundscapes, mirroring the artists’ internal journey throughout the pandemic. Including vocal contributions from the likes of Coby Sey and Grammy winner, Flowdan further elevates the narrative, blending electronic music with spoken word and grime, a move that shows Klock’s desire to push boundaries and collaborate across genres.


In our interview, we explore this shift in Klock’s artistic direction. We discuss the inspiration behind Layer One, the role of his new label, LAYER, and the approach to creating an album


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that speaks to a post-human future. We also take a closer look at his relationship with Fadi Mohem, the production process that brought Layer One to life, and his thoughts on how his iconic techno platform, Klockworks, remains rooted in the genre even as his musical palette expands. And, of course, we dive into his long-standing residency at Berghain, where his sets continue to captivate and inspire a global audience, evolving with the ever-changing energy of the influential Berlin club. As we dig deeper, it’s evident that Ben Klock is a living testament to techno’s capacity for reinvention and growth.


A SHIFT BEYOND LOCKDOWNS


It was COVID-19 and the lockdowns that, counterintuitively, gave Ben the freedom to explore new musical directions and begin a prolific creative period.


“It was the start of COVID-19 and the lockdowns that pushed us to explore a different path beyond techno. With all the clubs shut down, there was no way to truly experience techno as it’s meant to be—no big sound systems, no social gatherings.”


“Being stuck in the studio made us want to explore other musical directions that have always been part of our DNA but are not the usual sounds people would expect from us. The beginning of the pandemic marked the start of this shift, and over time, we produced several unreleased albums, eventually leading us to what is now Layer One.”


The album taps into deep, existential unease; a conceptual theme that imagines a post-human world where AI and digital traces remain, but hu- manity has vanished. The production on Layer One deliberately reflects this cold new reality.


“The concept developed alongside our evolving sound design and production techniques. Initially, we were working with warmer, more analog sounds, but they didn’t quite fit the energy of the time. So, we transitioned to a colder, more digital, and precise sound while still incorporating warm pads and a human touch here and there. The concept grew organically from this approach.”


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