JK FLESH, ORPHX — Death/rebirth One

JK Flesh & Orphx – Death/Rebirth One opens the KR3 Records KR3022 split EP series, a 12-inch vinyl that pits two seminal forces of experimental industrial against each other. The release pairs an exclusive JK Flesh original with an Orphx original, each followed by a remix from the opposite side, framing a dialogue that references their joint live performance at Berlin Atonal in 2016. The series’ visual language, designed by Federico Gagraglione, ties the record to KR3’s recent output while allowing the volcanic palette to mark its own identity. Within KR3’s 2026 catalogue, Death/Rebirth One follows a string of limited-run statements: Teste’s “Erased From Memory” (KR3019LTD), O/H’s “No Contact LP 2x12” (KR3015LTD), and JK Flesh’s own “Veneer of Tolerance Remixes 2x12” (KR3012LTD). It arrives after Orphx’s “Theikos EP” (KR3017LTD) and before the forthcoming Steve Bicknell “Remixes LP” (KR3021). This positioning underscores KR3’s focus on collaborations that stretch the boundaries of industrial and techno, with Death/Rebirth One acting as a bridge between the label’s earlier solo experiments and its next wave of reinterpretations. Side A begins with “JK Flesh – Replika”, a dark, slow-moving composition that leans into raw industrial weight while maintaining a throbbing techno pulse. The track’s deliberate tempo and heavy texture set a brooding mood that prepares the listener for the subsequent remix. “JK Flesh – Replika (Orphx Remix)” re-contextualises the original through Orphx’s signature approach, adding a denser, more abrasive layer that heightens the sense of tension and underscores the collaborative spirit of the series. Side B mirrors the structure with “Orphx – Pressure Wave”, a track that channels the group’s long-standing exploration of mechanistic rhythm and atmospheric pressure. Its relentless drive contrasts with the slower A-side material, offering a different facet of the dark electronic spectrum. The closing “Orphx – Pressure Wave (JK Flesh Remix)” flips the script, injecting JK Flesh’s crushing techno sensibility into the Orphx framework, resulting in a hybrid that feels both familiar and unsettlingly new. For JK Flesh, Death/Rebirth One follows the “Veneer of Tolerance Remixes 2x12” (KR3012LTD, 2026) on the same label, extending a recent period of reinterpretation and remix work. Orphx, meanwhile, returns after the “Theikos EP” (KR3017LTD, 2026) and earlier KR3 outings, reinforcing their ongoing relationship with the label and their willingness to revisit past material in fresh contexts. The record therefore sits at a crossroads of each artist’s recent output, highlighting a shared interest in re-examining and reshaping their own sounds. In contemporary underground circles, the EP’s collision of slow-motion industrial weight and crushing techno reflects a growing appetite for music that resists the hyper-fast tempos dominating many dancefloors. By deliberately opposing the “relentless pace and overstimulation of the modern era,” the release offers a reflective, almost ritualistic listening experience that can serve both as a deep-cut for late-night sets and as a focused moment of tension in a longer techno journey. From a DJ’s perspective, the two original tracks provide sturdy, mood-setting foundations for a set that needs a darker, more introspective tone. The remixes, with their heightened aggression, are ideal for building intensity or for transitioning into more kinetic moments. Collectors will appreciate the split-EP format, which showcases each artist’s distinct voice while documenting a rare collaborative remix exchange, a format that remains uncommon in today’s digital-first market. The record is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, adhering to KR3’s unified visual identity while each release is distinguished by its own background colour and volcanic artwork. The format supports the analog warmth and depth that both JK Flesh and Orphx aim for in their production, making it a tactile object as well as a sonic statement. JK Flesh & Orphx – Death/Rebirth One, KR3 Records, catalogue KR3022, 12-inch vinyl, four tracks. Tracklist: A1. JK Flesh – Replika A2. JK Flesh – Replika (Orphx Remix) B1. Orphx – Pressure Wave B2. Orphx – Pressure Wave (JK Flesh Remix)