The Brvtalist is pleased to present two premieres from Berlin's BITE records plus an interview with label head and prolific artist, Phase Fatale. Launched in 2018, BITE has become known for releasing modern body, techno, industrial and more, operating in between genres and focusing on cutting edge output. The label is set to release two big 12" - one from Phase Fatale and another from Tbilisi's OTHR. Today we premiere "Nailed to the Net" by Phase Fatale and a great Kris Baha remix of OTHR's "False Promises". (read our interview below)

The Brvtalist: It’s been 5 years since your last EP (but with some LPs released in that time) and your first solo outing on BITE. Tell us what you wanted to do with this EP and why it was the right time to release on your label.

Phase Fatale: While my last album was also dancefloor focused, I wanted to revisit the more concise EP format as I haven’t done so since my 12” on Ostgut Ton in 2018. Nailed To The Net was recorded last year in Berlin after I moved back from Tbilisi, where I combined my heavier, harder sensibilities from industrial techno and ebm with the higher production value I’ve practiced through my albums over the past few years. So this EP slams more but still has a post-punk edge to it complimented by a remix from Rrose which I’m very excited about as they’re one of my favorite producers. I felt it was finally the right time to release on BITE and put more of a focus and image on my label, especially since it’s the five year anniversary now.

TB: “Nailed To The Net” as well as other tracks on the release (like “Snakepit”) convey a trapped and almost panicked feel. Would you say that is part of the mood of the release and/or just the greater mood at the moment?

PF: It’s not one of those COVID isolation records but was rather recorded during a rough personal time mostly in winter 2021 into 2022. I think the EP captures that depressive moment hence some darker and goth influences. The more upbeat tracks like A1 and B1 are frenetic, searching for something but also have a driving power that leans on almost optimistic and resolving. While Rasengan and Snakepit are definitely more introspective and looking inwards.

TB: Bite is also celebrating 5 years as a label this year. Talk a little bit about the Bite journey and running a label for the past 1/2 decade. Do you still have a lot more to say/release musically?

PF: We started the label in 2018 as a way to showcase an alternate running underground electronic music scene in Berlin of cutting edge music, and it’s come a long way. I’ve been curating the label solo the past couple of years. More recently, we had our first Berghain night last October which felt like a big milestone. It was amazing to see all artists and music lovers gathered together celebrating the sound. And now it feels like the label is turning a new leaf as the music we’ll release now carries the same ethos of techno pushing the envelope but a further level up in sound and intake of references.

TB: Which brings us to the other upcoming release on BITE from OTHR (w/Kris Baha remix) - who brings a great post-punk feel to the fold. Tell us what you like about this release.

PF: When I was in Tbilisi the summer before, Ladouka (OTHR) played me the demos in his studio, and I immediately thought we should release it on BITE. Ladouka and I have a long history both as Khidi residents since the beginning and meeting when I came to the club the first time in 2016 in the dark tunnels above the main floor. We also both have a similar background playing guitar in post-punk bands so our references match quite often, even doing some b2bs together. His new EP is a real evolution of his sound further abstracting these band elements with techno. The sound design, atmosphere, and groove are very individual to him and very playable.

TB: I’ve always like the sheer force but restraint you also show as a producer and DJ. How has it been playing out so far in 2023? 2022 felt like things re-opened very frantically with a lot of extreme BPMs and excessiveness. Do you think that’s settling down a bit?

PF: Yes I think the dust is settling after the mad rush of everything reopening, and people start to realize again how music and djing in clubs works in reality rather than just online. It feels like there is a resurgence of more serious techno bubbling up with new producers. And I’m trying to find my niche somewhere between groovier techno but still with my industrial edge which in the end has a quite Downwards or 2000s Spanish sound. It’s always important to have this bit of a restraint and create a balance between hard/dark and lighter/groovier because too much of either is quite dull. And when it’s right, it’s bliss.

Left: Phase Fatale (photo by Richard Söderberg); Right: OTHR

TB: Tell us some recent highlights and what’s coming up next.

PF: Recent highlight was the tour through Asia starting off this year with Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore and Hanoi as well as Australia. There are many BITE showcases coming up this year with Thessaloniki, Bratislava, and Munich in the next few weeks. More to be announced very soon along with other big projects on the label. It’s going to be a busy year!

Phase Fatal - Nailed to the Net and OTHR - Scythe of Vyse are March 3rd on 12” + digital. Pick up your copy now on Bandcamp.