DNB Dojo Mix Series 67: ZeroZero

Our exclusive Mix Series reaches number 67 as we welcome tech production duo ZeroZero to the Dojo decks! The pair have made quite a name for themselves on the scene over the past three years; catapulted to fame by a winning entry in Evol Intent’s Middle of the Night remix contest, they’ve followed that early success with releases for CIA, ProgRAM, SGN:LTD and Cyberfunk, not to mention collaborations with Nymfo, Coppa and Riya – an impressive accolade sheet indeed!

For their Dojo mix they’ve dug deep on rolling, techy selections from the likes of Enei, Subtension, Monty and Black Barrel, and of course some exclusive dubplate fire! Wicked stuff. As always you can check out the mix via Soundcloud below or head to Youtube or iTunes to stream. You can also grab a download from Google Drive.

Continue reading

Premiere: Mark Kloud – Coplanar

Long running US underground imprint Translation return with the third volume of their Bassment Beats EP series this month and we’ve got the first look at Mark Kloud’s contribution, Coplanar. As you’d expect from both the artist and the label, this one is a deep, experimental cut, building atmosphere on the intro with soft percussion and expansive synths before dropping into razor edged halftime drums that progress into a plethora of intricate percussion fills with a dubby edge. Look for this alongside new tracks from Fuj, Akinsa, Rogue State and Broken Promise; Bassment Beats Vol. 3 drops April 14th.

Continue reading

Premiere: Philth & Wreckless – Unstable

Philth teams up with semi-regular collaborator Wreckless on today’s premiere. Part of the first in a series of collab EPs for Peer Pressure entitled Synapses, the duo serve up a characteristically crisp and techy roller with some super satisfying drum fills and an incredible classical intro; maximum atmosphere. Hit up the Peer Pressure Bandcamp page to grab this one right now – the EP is out today!

Continue reading

Premiere: Forbidden Society – Forget The Past

Forbidden Society continues his exploration of deeper, less aggressive sounds on the new Armor EP for his own FS Recordings imprint. Classic breaks, piano and shimmering pads sit alongside growling bass textures for possibly the most ‘liquid’ track we’ve heard yet from the Czech producer; wicked stuff. Look for the full EP dropping April 23rd!

Continue reading

Premiere: Samurai Breaks – Fuschiaga Ridge

Samurai Breaks brings his raved up sound to The Dreamers on today’s exclusive premiere! Fuschiaga Ridge harnesses a seriously catchy melody and choppy drum riddims to get your head nodding before switching things up into a full on second half taking influence from 4×4 bassline. Maximum energy! Look for this on the Sweet Tooth EP coming April 16th.

Continue reading

Screamarts – Hold Me Close [Subplate]

Ever since we first came across Screamarts via his releases for Fragmented Recordings, we’ve kept a close eye on the Austrian producer as a purveyor of high quality sound design, and more importantly a man capable of injecting that much needed funk into the modern neuro sound.

His latest work for Subplate Recordings delivers a pair of wicked new tracks that tread that line perfectly; A side Hold Me Close blends a soulful vocal and soft melodies against dark bass textures and heavy drum hits for a great balance of the dark and the light. Flipside The Pull moves in a similar direction, with growling bass modulations and compressed snare hits contrasting with ethereal pad sounds. That combination of bassweight with restraint and melody makes for a potent sonic combination, equally relevant to the club or the listening room at home. Check out the tracks below and hit up your favourite store to grab the single right now!

Rockwell – User EP [Shogun Audio]

Rockwell’s work over the years has set him apart from many other producers; taking a quality-over-quantity approach and constantly seeking out innovation (much to the annoyance of some heads who clamour for more of his early sound), you always know you’re going to get something interesting from a new Rockwell release.

His latest work for Shogun Audio is no exception to this rule, drawing on various bass-music influences for an EP that is at one decidedly drum & bass and still almost completely spurning of its traditions. Roni Size collab Easy rips up the rhythm rule book, keeping the energy and sound palette ravey but refusing to settle into a stale groove. ’09 Track fuses classic dub and more modern dubstep influences for a huge halftime head-nodder, while Inventor recruits Flowdan for vocals on an infectious clash of bashment and jungle.

User rounds off the release nicely by reminding us that Rockwell still knows how to serve up an old fashioned roller, and a decidedly catchy one at that. Crisp breaks, warm bass swells and a weirdly manipulated vocal hook combine for an instantly recognisable track. More essential listening from one of the brightest names in the game; check out the clips below and hit up your favourite store to grab a copy on vinyl or digital right now.

HLZ – Vectors EP [Dispatch]

HLZ drops a new EP on Dispatch this month and it features some of the best sharp-edged rollers we’ve heard so far this year. The tracks here are all about bringing the funk back into D&B while retaining some darkness, and it definitely draws on some classic inspirations while retaining a modern tone.

Title track Vectors channels the golden era of early 2000s neurofunk with a fast moving bassline – think early Full Force releases from the likes of Chook with the production standards of 2018. Abracatabla meanwhile immediately recalls classic Special Forces tunes like Sidewinder with it’s driving use of staccato hits that form both melody and rhythm. Clusters meanwhile sounds like a love letter to classic V Recordings sub-rollers, and digital bonus Black Lodge brings to mind the classic Virus Recordings sound with it’s clattering drums and bass modulations.

Don’t let the influences dissuade you though; this is definitely homage rather than pastiche, and it’s all filtered skilfully through HLZ’s inimitable style to make something individual, with one eye on the past and the other on the future. The Vectors EP is out now – hit up the Dispatch Bandcamp to grab it now on vinyl or digital direct from the source.

Premiere: Invadhertz & LaMeduza – Bullet

Invadhertz return to the Dojo premiere spotlight today; hot on the heels of their recent release for Addictive Behaviour, they’ve also got an absolutely killer roller on the forthcoming Delta9 Recordings 50th LP. Featuring sorrowful strings and an absolutely sublime vocal from Geneva songstress LaMeduza, Bullet treads the line between deep liquid roller and techstep growler with elegance and finesse; dark and powerful vibes. Look for this along with tons of other great beats on the full album, dropping March 30th!

Continue reading