-M-E-L-M-A-K-

[-M-E-L-M-A-K-] is a Bulgarian electronic music label with roots in the underground rave and techno scene. Founded in 2000 in the town of Lukovit right after a crushing NYE home rave, the label initially focused on local experimental music. Over time, it evolved into a platform for psychedelic/goa trance, often incorporating elements of downbeat, ambient, and psy-dub. Vasil Raykov and Hristo Nikolov were the original founders, and the label remained based in Lukovit for many years. Its deep-underground ethos was characterized by a commitment to local talent and a rejection of mainstream club sound. After a period of inactivity, [-M-E-L-M-A-K-] was revived in 2020 with a renewed focus on dub techno, progressive, minimal, and dub music. Now operating from Kyustendil, the label aims to release both previous and current local productions to a wider audience. The label's origins can be traced back to a group of young electronic music enthusiasts who discovered techno, rave, psychedelic/goa, downtempo, and ambient music in their early teens. Over the years, the label has been managed by a small creative collective closely associated with the luk-O-weed crew and the G.T.N.D. mob. Label's slogan stamped on almost every release goes by: "Bahur & Plyava for the ears from LKV & KNJ, since 2000! Your personal independent home-brew-electronica dealer!"