Bonus Beats - Rare & Unreleased Finnish Electro 1990 - 2002

Cold Blow proudly presents Bonus Beats: Rare & Unreleased Finnish Electro 1990–2002, a landmark compilation celebrating Finland’s underground electro scene around the turn of the millennium. Showcasing 12 rare tracks - including three previously unreleased - this collection highlights a fiercely DIY-driven movement that flourished far from Europe’s major electronic hubs.

Opening with two precursors from the early 1990s, the compilation features B-Rock, Mono Junk’s first alias, and Orchestra Guacamole—a collaboration between the late Mika Vainio and Darude producer Jaakko Salovaara, originally released on the seminal Sähkö Recordings.

Further highlights include Mr. Velcro Fastener’s unreleased early recording, brimming with robotic allure, alongside dark electro cuts from Decepticons and Dr. Robotnik, the latter leaning into minimal wave.

Standouts include Jori Hulkkonen’s stunning extended track, originally hidden on a promo 12”, and Markus & Kristian’s rare and elusive take on Kraftwerk’s The Model, a cult classic.

Feng Shui feat. Monsieur unites members of Huoratron, Nu Science, Polytron, and Op:l Bastards to deliver raw industrial beats layered with a trance-y lead. Honoring Perttu Häkkinen’s legacy, the compilation also features Imatran Voima’s gritty, bass-driven anthem from their debut EP, showcasing the duo’s unmistakable style.

The breadth of Finland’s electro sound is further explored through Spektor’s primitive synth explorations, programmed in C64 BASIC, and Tero’s Commodore 64-driven track, both rooted in the country’s influential demoscene—a computer art subculture that pushed the boundaries of early digital hardware. Brothomstates, later signed to Warp Records, enriches the compilation with their visionary soundscapes.

The release comes accompanied by liner notes from curator Erkko Lehtinen, a key figure in the scene as a DJ and promoter, along with hand-crafted artwork by frequent Cold Blow collaborator Ed Cheverton. His playful collage-style captures the compilation’s eclectic nature, blending 80s/90s tech-inspired imagery with influences from Detroit techno, hip hop, video game music, and the machines behind electro, such as the iconic TR-808.

Set for release on February 7, 2025, Bonus Beats: Rare & Unreleased Finnish Electro 1990–2002 will be available in both double-LP and digital formats. This vital chapter in Finland’s electronic music history invites listeners to experience the raw underground energy of an era now ripe for rediscovery.