BEN KLOCK | DE 2025 #05

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-stirring techno has made him a cornerstone of the Berlin underground scene. His sets at Berghain have become the stuff of legend. His genre-defining 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 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.

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 humanity 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."

Coby Sey and Flowdan immersed themselves in this concept adding invaluable layers to the overall vision.

"It was fantastic working with both Coby and Flowdan. They immediately understood our vision and delivered brilliant contributions that perfectly completed the album’s concept. Collaborating with artists from different genres who can still see the same vision is a wonderful experience. Their vocals and lyrics elevate the album in a way that wouldn’t be possible without them. I can't thank them enough."

With the launch of the new label, LAYER, Ben and Fadi Mohem have stepped outside of norms and conventions allowing them time and space to create and explore.

"LAYER is where we want to explore and showcase other aspects of our sound beyond just techno. There’s still room for techno, particularly in the remixes we’re planning for this album. For now, LAYER is an open concept without a fixed release schedule."

Lockdown and the closure of dance floors changed how Ben and Fadi approached and perceived Layer One.

"Klockworks 34 and Layer One are very different projects, but both came from spontaneous studio sessions without a fixed release plan. With Klockworks 34, we had the chance to test the tracks in clubs before finalizing them. However, with Layer One, we quickly realized the tracks weren’t made with the dance floor in mind. Instead, they felt better suited for a more cinematic, listening-focused experience."

The studio partnership has become almost intuitive, enabling a prolific and fast-moving workflow when creating music.

"What I love about working with Fadi is our shared vision for different projects. We both have a good sense of which soundscapes fit each track. Also, we’ve developed a “veto” process: whenever one of us isn’t 100% happy with a certain sound or arrangement, we either discard it or keep tweaking it until we’re both satisfied. This constant exchange makes the decision-making process much quicker. When you work alone, it’s easy to get stuck in a loop and lose perspective."

This collaboration also delivered creativity in the studio set up, allowing for innovation and ultimately producing more from less.

“We both used a variety of machines, and in the beginning, we might have worked with too many. The result was a range of sound designs that didn’t quite fit under one cohesive album. So, over time, we reduced our setup to a more streamlined one while still having access to a wide array of instruments if needed. Without giving too much away, several Elektron machines played a key role in our setup, along with some secret gear and unique effects routings."

While Klockworks has long been synonymous with raw, hypnotic techno, Ben’s interest in experimental sounds raises a question about the label’s own evolution. However, he remains committed to its identity as a cutting-edge platform for techno.

"Klockworks will remain focused on raw techno—that’s its identity. That’s why we decided to create LAYER as a new platform for this album. Klockworks will stay true to what it is.”

Photon events have a loyal following, and so, despite a growing interest in experimental sounds, Ben maintains that these events will remain firmly rooted in their unique techno sound.

"Yes, PHOTON focuses on the fusion of sound, space, and light, but it also represents a certain type of techno—underground, deep, hypnotic, and groovy—the way we love it. So it won’t evolve into an experimental audiovisual event. PHOTON will remain a unique techno party."

Klock's residency at Berghain has been central in shaping his career. His DJ sets have always been a platform to create and experiment and the club provides an energy that inspires continual change.

"My experimental work with Layer One doesn’t influence how I approach my sets. Exploring different directions, like playing ambient tracks for Berghain openings, has always been part of what I do. As long as you love what you’re doing, it’s easy to stay fresh and look for new inspirations. The moment you stop evolving and rely on old formulas, the excitement fades. But I’m still excited, and hopefully, others are too. And, honestly, how could the space and energy of Berghain not inspire you over and over again?"

Berghain has a strong ethos and to be a resident there, Ben has had to become an artist that is always moving forwards.

"Berghain has a consistent focus on staying true to the core of techno and house while also remaining open to new talents and musical directions. This blend of stability and evolution keeps the club exciting. That’s also what challenges and inspires me as an artist. As a resident, you can’t just play the same playlists over and over. With many of the same people listening each time, you have to constantly micro-reinvent yourself to surprise both yourself and the audience."

Looking to the future, Ben will never give up his passion for techno, but Layer One has given him a chance to explore new territories.

"Layer One shows a different side of Fadi and me—it was born out of a specific environment and showcases another aspect of our artistry. Techno will always remain my core focus—driving the dancefloor wild, locking people into a groove, and creating that hypnotic energy. But creativity has no fixed path—who knows where my next studio sessions will take me!"

The very essence of Klock's artistry has always been about evolution. Where many artists might be content with the adoration they’ve amassed over years of Berghain dominance, Klock takes that foundation and builds something bigger, something more expansive. Layer One might not have been made for the dancefloor, but it isn’t a retreat from the techno world, it’s a reflection of it; a layered exploration of what happens when the music stops but the drive to create doesn’t. This isn't just an experiment; it’s a declaration that techno can be anything it wants to be. And Klock’s fearless departure into uncharted territory serves as an invitation for others to follow.

Let’s not be deceived by the experimental veneer. Beneath the digital frost and ambient layers lies the same raw, immersive energy that Klock has always mastered. It’s the subtle art of balancing warmth with coldness, analog with digital, that sets Klock apart. His move into the experimental might seem like a sharp turn, but it’s merely another facet of a career defined by continuous reinvention. With Layer One, he is not turning his back on techno, he’s pushing it into new dimensions, expanding what it can mean and what it can feel like. It’s a vision that isn’t afraid to take risks, even if it means alienating some who only know him for his Berghain sets.

As an artist, Ben Klock is testament to the idea that true creativity never stops evolving. The release of Layer One signals that he isn’t merely a participant in techno’s story but one of its most compelling authors, writing the future in real time. In a world obsessed with trends, Klock’s approach is a defiant one - rooted in authenticity, yet driven by the desire to constantly explore the boundaries of sound. His legacy is no longer just about the past he has shaped but the future he continues to create, one boundary-pushing release at a time. And as he proves with Layer One, the future of techno is wide open.