Achim Szepanski, a prominent German author and philosopher known for his groundbreaking work in electronic and ambient music, has passed away at the age of 67. He was found deceased on Wednesday, September 25.
A key figure in the evolution of techno music, Szepanski began his career in the 1980s, launching the Blackout label before founding Force Inc. in 1991. His drive to innovate led him to explore more progressive techno and hardcore sounds, producing early works by renowned artists such as Mike Ink and Alec Empire. Szepanski’s vision extended beyond mere music production; he viewed record labels as platforms for rigorous moral and conceptual exploration.
In 1993, Szepanski established the Mille Plateaux label, aiming to counteract the burgeoning commodification of rave culture, which he criticized as creating a “pleasure-prison” environment. Named after a influential philosophical text, Mille Plateaux became synonymous with the glitch aesthetic, releasing pivotal works from electronic pioneers such as Gas, Oval, and Vladislav Delay until its closure in 2004.
After selling Mille Plateaux to musician Marcus Gabler, Szepanski distanced himself from the music industry, expressing a lack of interest in contemporary releases. However, he maintained a prolific writing career, focusing on anti-fascist philosophy and themes like nihilism and emptiness through his Non-Copyriot platform.
In recent years, Szepanski reclaimed control of Mille Plateaux, reissuing some of his favored albums, further cementing his legacy in the electronic music realm.
