Italian producer and DJ KAIUSS is the creator of MORPH-RAVE, a conceptual techno sound designed to transport listeners into what he describes as an altered state of consciousness.
Photo credit: KAIUSS – Official
Built around radical contrasts between high-intensity drops and dramatically slowed-down mutations, the project aims to reshape how crowds experience rhythm, tension, and release on the dancefloor.
With the release of ‘MORPHINE’ via Technological Records, KAIUSS introduces the first official chapter of a movement that extends beyond music into visual identity, symbolism, and a fully realized artistic universe. Drawing inspiration from surreal art, rave culture, and years of experimentation, MORPH-RAVE combines hypnotic atmospheres with brutal energy shifts to create what the artist calls a form of illusion.
In this conversation, KAIUSS discusses the origins of MORPH-RAVE, the creative philosophy behind the project, and how he hopes to redefine the relationship between artist, audience, and dancefloor.
EG: Hi KAIUSS, welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here. How have you been, and where are you speaking to us from today?
KAIUSS: Hello, I’m doing very well, thank you. I am speaking to you from Castelfidardo, a small town in central Italy, in the Marche region.
EG: Congratulations on the release of ‘MORPHINE’. You’re introducing it not simply as a new track, but as the first chapter of a broader concept called MORPH-RAVE. When did you first realize you were working toward something bigger than a standalone release?
KAIUSS: Thank you very much. Yes, exactly, ‘MORPHINE’ is the first track of this project called MORPH-RAVE. Even though it might seem simple, there are two years of experimentation and passion behind it to create not just tracks, but a unique experience.
EG: MORPH-RAVE is built around a striking contrast between explosive energy and dramatically slowed-down moments. What originally attracted you to that tension? Why is that concept central to the idea?
KAIUSS: The first time I explored this contrast, I was mesmerized. I immediately thought, “Wow.” It is central because it is precisely thanks to the drastic slowing down, combined with a hypnotic atmosphere, that the impact of the fast and brutal drop is amplified. Behind it, there is a great deal of work in sound selection and transitions, molding the different atmospheres and trying to make the passage fluid and coherent.
EG: You describe the experience as a kind of illusion that can alter the crowd’s perception without actually changing the BPM. Were there specific moments on the dancefloor that inspired this idea?
KAIUSS: Attending techno and hard techno raves and festivals, I noticed that in some sets, after several energetic drops, the tension is lost because the crowd becomes desensitized to the constant rhythm. From there, my idea started to take shape: I view the MORPH-RAVE as an illusion capable of altering consciousness. In my DJ sets, which typically range from 145 to 160 BPM and blend Peak Time, Hard Techno, and Industrial, I use these MORPH-RAVE moments strategically. They act as a tool to regain the crowd’s attention and force them to think, “Hey, what is happening?” only to then mutate into brutal drops and bring that euphoria back to its peak.
“Today it is difficult to be truly unique, but I believe an artist can tell a story, transporting the audience on a journey into their own universe”
EG: Every new movement in electronic music begins with someone questioning established formulas. What did you feel was missing from contemporary techno that pushed you to explore this direction?
KAIUSS: Actually, I didn’t feel like something was missing from techno, which is precisely why I needed to create an original alternative: the MORPH-RAVE is a valid proposal for standing out, especially in a historical moment where anyone can create music thanks to the multiple tools available.
EG: The project extends beyond music into visual identity, typography, and a clearly defined aesthetic world. How important is world-building to your creative process? Where did you draw inspiration from for this?
KAIUSS: In my opinion, an artist today must engage the listener not only with music but also visually, for example, with captivating visuals and a recognizable aesthetic. For this reason, the MORPH-RAVE already has a logo: theater masks, but redesigned in a dark version, themed with the atmosphere, which I believe gives exactly that sense of contrast and duality that expresses this concept. Furthermore, I have created visuals that evolve from trippy atmospheres to surreal dark beings or environments. The inspiration came from my passion for both music and surreal art.
EG: Many artists spend years refining a sound, but fewer attempt to define an entirely new concept around it. Did creating MORPH-RAVE feel liberating, risky, or a combination of both?
KAIUSS: Creating the MORPH-RAVE was liberating. At a time when music is oversaturated with artists who imitate, I feel that I am following a personal path, even if it is risky, given that when you do something different, you risk being criticized. But it is a journey that I will continue, because the MORPH-RAVE is only at the beginning and, as the name says, it is in constant mutation.
EG: The name MORPH-RAVE suggests transformation. Beyond the music itself, what does the idea of transformation mean to you personally?
KAIUSS: To me, the sense of transformation is unpredictability—never knowing what to expect. It is a lifestyle and the foundation of my project: continuous change, evolution, and the search for new emotions.
EG: In an era where so much music is created and consumed digitally, your project feels like a celebration of live performance and human connection. What do you think an artist can offer audiences today that cannot be replicated elsewhere?
KAIUSS: Today it is difficult to be truly unique, but I believe an artist can tell a story, transporting the audience on a journey into their own universe.
“At a time when music is oversaturated with artists who imitate, I feel that I am following a personal path”
EG: Looking ahead, do you see MORPH-RAVE as a personal artistic language, or do you hope it grows into something that other artists eventually embrace and reinterpret in their own way?
KAIUSS: I hope that other artists will embrace this vision, because it would be fantastic to collaborate with them, combining their styles with mine to create something truly unique.
EG: Finally, if someone listens to ‘MORPHINE’ without knowing anything about the concept behind it, what do you hope they feel?
KAIUSS: What I hope they feel when listening to ‘MORPHINE’ without knowing the concept is exactly the effect of surprise and the elevation of consciousness. I can say that I succeeded in transmitting this thanks to the support from Brutish Heavy Music, Technonation, No Sleep Techno, youBEAT, and Technological Records, and thanks to the fantastic feedback received from curators and artists on Groover.
EG: Thank you so much for your time. We wish you all the best with ‘MORPHINE’ and the future of MORPH-RAVE. Take care!
KAIUSS: Thank you for this opportunity to talk about the MORPH-RAVE. I can tell you that there will be news soon regarding the next track of the project.
KAIUSS’ ‘MORPHINE’ is out now via Technological Records. Stream and download your copy here.
Follow KAIUSS: Spotify | SoundCloud | Instagram
