In The Spotlight: UNTER STRØM

UNTER STRØM is an electronic musical duo forged in the shadows of Los Angeles and San Diego, blending raw industrial grit with melodic finesse. Led by Alex Gonzales (Matte Blvck) and John Kunkel (The New Division, John Grand), the project is a collision of two prolific creative forces & longtime collaborators whose roots run deep in the darker corners of electronic and alternative music. Gonzales has been on a sharp upward trajectory with Matte Blvck, building a global fanbase through relentless touring and a string of sold-out shows across the United States, while Kunkel’s work as John Grand has earned support from tastemakers like Armin van Buuren on A State of Trance and a guest mix on Group Therapy Radio. Together, they meet at the intersection of underground intensity and melodic dark electronic refinement.

Emerging from years of working together in various bands and studios, UNTER STRØM was born from a shared obsession: pushing the boundaries of techno, melodic house, and industrial sonics into uncharted territory.  The result is a cinematic, visceral sound that moves between brooding intensity and euphoric release, equal parts warehouse and widescreen.

Their first official release, “Orynth” via renegade label Breathing Records, serves as a defining introduction to UNTER STRØM’s sound. Built through a fluid and highly collaborative process, the track began with Gonzales sketching its opening movements before Kunkel expanded it into a fully realized piece, layering time-stretched atmospheres and intricate melodic detail. The result is a track that moves between tension and release, pairing driving rhythmic energy with cinematic depth.

Written during an intense creative period that saw the duo generate a large body of work in a short span, “Orynth” captures the immediacy and chemistry behind the project. The single was mixed by Aaron Short (Madison Beer, The Naked and Famous, So Below), adding a polished, expansive finish to its already immersive sound.

“Orynth” sets the tone for what’s to come from UNTER STRØM, a project rooted in real-world momentum and artistic evolution, bridging established success with a forward-leaning vision.

With decades of combined experience, Gonzales and Kunkel bring a polished yet uncompromising approach to dance music: one that reflects their artistic histories while carving something entirely new.

For further information on the artists, please visit the following link:

https://www.instagram.com/weareunterstrom