Ikaruga EP

Released in late 2018, the Ikaruga EP represents a pivotal moment in Raito's career where his fascination with video game culture and industrial techno converged. Named after the legendary Treasure-developed shoot 'em up, the EP translates the game's polarity-switching mechanics and frantic pace into a sonic language of high-energy techno. Sonically, the record is defined by its 'metallic' texture - a hallmark of Raito's French techno lineage - and a maximalist approach to percussion. Unlike his more trance-leaning later works, Ikaruga stays rooted in the grit of the warehouse, utilizing acid-tinged synths and heavy distortion. The track 'Dark Ritual' serves as a darker, more atmospheric closer, while 'Mew' and '002' lean into the big-beat-influenced energy that made Raito a favorite of labels like Boysnoize Records. It remains a definitive example of the 'industrial rave' revival of the late 2010s.