Peace, Love, and Techno: Hard Gang’s third chapter with Regal, Inhalt Der Nacht & more
On August 15th, just a fifteen-minute journey from Batumi, HARD GANG will proudly present the third edition of their acclaimed series, continuing to shape a new chapter in Georgia’s electronic underground scene. This upcoming event will take place in the lush surroundings of Chorokhi Rest, a serene haven where the forest, fresh air, and breathtaking views create the perfect backdrop. This night isn’t just about music; it’s about atmosphere, connection, and escape. It’s a moment carved into nature, where people come together under open skies, move as one, and leave everything else behind - if only for a little while.
Since 2020, HARD GANG has been positioning itself as a movement with a clear mission: to spotlight the unique and valuable qualities of Georgian artists while building meaningful collaborations with internationally recognized mainstream names. At its core, the label aims to bridge local talent with the global scene through carefully curated, harmonious partnerships that respect both identity and innovation.
In the summer of 2024, HARD GANG took its next step by launching its debut event series - a natural extension of its vision, bringing the energy of its sound and community into a physical, shared space. This time, the lineup reads like a wish list for techno fans. Headlining the night are internationally acclaimed artists REGAL, INHALT DER NACHT, THOMAS HESSLER, PATE JAAR, and IRAKLION.
HARD GANG is more than about music - it’s a statement. Built on the backbone of PLUR (peace, love, unity, respect), the night promises a space that’s inclusive, safe, and radically free. The organizers make their stance crystal clear: HARD GANG is proudly anti-discrimination and stands in full support of the LGBTQ+ community. No to discrimination. No to homophobia. Yes to love in all its forms. Yes to freedom. Yes to the community. Yes to the rave as resistance. This isn’t just a party; it’s a stand. And if you know - you know.
Regal: The Restless Force Shaping Modern Techno
Behind the moniker Regal is Gabriel Cassina, a Madrid-born artist of Italian descent whose journey through techno has been defined by bold decisions, emotional honesty, and a refusal to stay in one lane. Known equally for his acid-laced peak-time sets and introspective productions, Regal has grown into a key figure in Europe’s underground - a producer, label head, and performer who consistently bridges the raw intensity of the rave with a deep sense of purpose and personality.
Regal emerged onto the scene in 2012 with his debut Mute EP on Dustin Zahn’s Enemy Records, catching early attention for its high-impact, acidic techno sound. That same year, he launched Involve Records, a label that would go on to define not only his career but also help shape the next wave of techno. What started as an outlet for his own releases quickly became a curated home for boundary-pushing artists such as Amelie Lens, Ellen Allien, Lady Starlight, Alignment, and Boston 168. While still in his early twenties, Regal’s rise was rapid. His early tracks gained widespread acclaim, championed by DJs and fans across Europe. Soon, collaborations with major names followed - most notably Len Faki, with whom he released *The End* on Figure in 2016.
Regal’s productions are rooted in acid techno, but his palette has always been wider. Drawing inspiration from trance, electro, EBM, and breakbeat, his music carries a signature balance: muscular, high-energy frameworks paired with melodic depth and emotional nuance. His sound is ever-evolving, but certain fingerprints remain: acid-drenched basslines, driving percussion, melancholic pads, and a sense of movement that pulls listeners through peaks and valleys rather than just offering impact. That stylistic versatility has also made him an in-demand remixer. Over the years, Regal has reworked tracks from Nina Kraviz, Ellen Allien, and Emmanuel Top, while his own productions have been remixed by the likes of Charlotte de Witte, Mark Broom, and Radio Slave.
As a DJ, Regal is known for his high-octane, emotionally intelligent sets, where acid, trance, and techno intersect seamlessly. He’s performed at some of the most respected venues in the world - including Berghain, Tresor, Fabrik Madrid, Shelter Amsterdam, Gashouder, and Thuishaven - and has played standout sets at major festivals like Awakenings, Reaktor Events, Intercell, The Crave, DGTL, Exhale, and Tomorrowland. He’s also a resident at KHIDI in Tbilisi, one of the most important techno institutions in Eastern Europe. Regal has frequently expressed his
admiration for the city’s scene, calling it a symbol of unity and peace, and praising its open- minded spirit and political resilience. His deep connection to Tbilisi has helped strengthen ties between the Georgian scene and the wider European techno community.
Twelve years since its founding, Involve Records continues to shape the underground. Founded by Regal in Madrid back in 2012, Involve Records has grown into more than just a techno label - it’s a close-knit collective built on shared values. At its core, Involve treats music as a medium for expression, exploration, and resistance. It’s a platform where emotion, freedom, and creativity converge. Known for championing 303-driven acid sounds, the label has carved out a distinct identity within the global electronic music community. Its releases aim to challenge boundaries, while its showcases translate that ethos to the dancefloor - not just as events, but as reflections of a wider artistic vision. Involve is less about trend and more about connection - a long-standing hub for artists who view techno as both art and language.
Inhalt der Nacht: Berlin’s New Wave of Industrial Techno
For over 15 years, Inhalt der Nacht has been a shape-shifting force within the electronic music world. What began as a creative spark in Berlin - at a time when graffiti artists and club kids were blending scenes and reinventing expression - became a lifelong commitment to sound, movement, and reinvention.
Best known for his years operating under the Inhalt der Nacht alias, the Berlin-born artist built a signature sound: industrial techno fused with EBM and hard techno, marked by distorted synths, pulsating rhythms, and haunting melodic tension. The project quickly caught international attention, landing releases on Dax J’s Monnom Black and leading to a milestone moment - his debut DJ set at Berghain. Over five years, Inhalt der Nacht carved out a unique space in techno’s landscape: dark, moody, emotionally charged, and deeply connected to the floor.
Before that chapter, he was already making waves under the name Escape To Mars, a project rooted in spacey, futuristic techno. But Inhalt der Nacht marked a turning point - an era that blended rock influences with electronic intensity, pushing deeper into the emotional and psychological weight of the genre.
In 2024, the artist entered a new phase. He launched Wet Skin, an event series focused on atmosphere and sensuality, followed in 2025 by the debut of Faust Format, a vinyl label dedicated to curated, physical releases.
Thomas Hessler: Berlin Discipline, Tbilisi Drive
Raised in Berlin and now based in Tbilisi, Thomas Hessler channels the energy of both cities into his work - merging Berlin’s raw foundations with the emotional urgency of Georgia’s fast- evolving techno scene. His sound is driven, deep, and emotionally charged - a balance of power and introspection that defines both his productions and DJ sets. In just a short time, Hessler has moved from the underground corners of Berlin to some of the most respected venues across Europe, South and North America. With appearances at clubs like Berghain, Fabric, KHIDI, and Tresor, he’s earned a reputation for crafting high-energy, emotionally rich journeys that reflect not only the pulse of modern electronic music but also its deeper history.
As a producer, Hessler’s work explores the intersection between energetic techno and melancholic electronica. Rooted in the traditions of Detroit and Berlin, his tracks are never static - constantly pushing into more modern and experimental territories. Early releases on IMF, Graphene, and a string of carefully executed remixes laid the foundation for his ascent and earned him recognition from a wide spectrum of contemporary DJs.
His artistic lens is one of nostalgia mixed with hope - a reflection of how he processes today’s fast-paced world. In both studio work and DJ sets, quality always outweighs quantity. Patience and perfectionism define his process, and every release feels intentional - a precise snapshot of where he is and where techno can go next.
IRAKLION: Sound as Inner Fire
For IRAKLION, music is more than a craft - it’s a personal ritual. The name itself carries weight, drawn from a time of deep change and reflection. Inspired by the idea of taming a dragon, it speaks to a constant tension: chaos and control, instinct and intention, emotion and Structure. This project marks a shift - both musically and personally. IRAKLION’s sets are raw and immersive, built from distorted textures, heavy low-end, and dark, rolling energy. The sound blends fierce techno with shadowy grooves and cinematic pressure - a space where inner battles take shape on the dancefloor.
There’s no need for big statements. Each set tells its own story - intense, physical, and quietly emotional. IRAKLION isn’t about spectacle. It’s about feeling your way through the noise and coming out changed.Rather than operating only as a performance name, Iraklion presents a broader artistic approach - one that invites listeners to engage with techno not just as rhythm or energy, but as a space to process meaning, memory, and internal landscapes.
Pate Jaar: A Voice from Tbilisi’s Underground
Pate Jaar is a DJ, promoter, and the driving force behind DifferentSound Records and Concrete Tbilisi - two projects that have helped shape his trajectory within the local electronic scene since 2017.
In a city where the techno movement continues to evolve with urgency and identity, Pate Jaar carved out his own lane. With the founding of DifferentSound, he built more than just a label - it became a creative platform that spans artist management, event organization, and a broader cultural vision. Under his direction, DifferentSound has acted as a space for collaboration and experimentation, while also helping to nurture a generation of Georgian talent and build bridges to the international circuit.
As a DJ, Pate Jaar’s sets reflect a diverse and open-ended approach to techno. His selections move fluidly between groovy rhythmic patterns and rawer, more hardcore edges, balancing function with atmosphere. Whether behind the decks or curating events, his style remains rooted in emotional engagement - aiming not just to move bodies, but to craft deep, immersive experiences that resonate beyond the dancefloor.