ALL records are DJ tools to me. The thing thats annoying (whether or not it's killing techno is debateable) is that there are too many boring unimaginative featureless techno loop records to such an extent that finding anything of quality in hard techno is becoming a bit of an unpleasant chore. One of the reasons I lean more toward the techno end of acid techno.

I reckon if you could get just about every techno loop arrangement on about 50 records and never have to buy one of that style again as the only thing different is whatever EQ setting is perceived as being good production at the time. It's very subject to fashion and there's always plenty people rich enough and stupid enough to put out pap on vinyl just to sooth their themselves from the harsh reality that outside their techno ability they are in fact talentless arses. They come and go and people still stick to the favoured 10 or so artists at the top of the genre because they are the few who can actually afford the kit needed to cut it among ever more pretentious and snobby DJ's.

The biggest issue that I have with hard techno at the minute is the "production, production, production" ethos that everyone's buying into. As a result there are plenty of producers with the technical ear for it knocking out tracks but neglecting to inject an idea or a theme.

Loop techno artists seem to think that only them get the concept of phasing in mixes. We all sussed that., That's why we like techno but a full set of it is piss boring and needs intricacy and anticipation to be entertaining. Something sadly lacking in hard techno at the minute.

Also the sooner this childish shranz fad is over the better too. you might as well just play hard house and run your decks through a guitar effects pedal. Shranz DJ's need to either admit they're gay or get laid. Repression is the only plausible explanation for this form of techno.

/rant