Red Army – Badmon EP [Nurtured Beatz]

Posted on 13th September 2015 by DNB Dojo

Nurtured Beatz continue their fine tradition of heavy hitting halftime D&B with a new EP from US producer Red Army. Ranging from the up front bass driven stomper Badmon to deeper moody territory on Interline collab Solution the EP brings a range of styles to the table, with crisp percussion and atmospherics giving the tracks a consistent feel.

While the title track is probably the most dancefloor friendly and accessible, the EP’s best material arguably comes on the back end as Red Army teams up with fellow American Epilleptech for two fantastic new beats. Fear slaps the listener about with massive kicks and snares and a positively snarling bassline while Jungle Thief goes in on tribal percussion and creepy pads for a tidy swansong to a really strong EP.

You can pick this one up exclusively from the Nurtured Beatz Bandcamp right now with full release coming from Monday.

Release & Meecha – Pitfall [Tytanium Armour]

Posted on 12th September 2015 by DNB Dojo

Tytanium Armour return with their first release after a three year hiatus featuring two hard edged slices of tech D&B with plenty of gnarly energy. Release & Meecha provide the A side with Pitfall, a track that harks back to the hardstep sound of around 10 years ago and brings to mind early Audio tracks.

Over on the flip label boss Tycaine gets together with Abandon for a more stripped back tech funk workout with a low slung moving bassline and plenty of punch in the kicks and snares. Fans of the dark and rolling should enjoy this one! The release is out now at all good digital stores so check out the clips below and go grab yourself a copy!

Ahmad – X EP [Turbine Music]

Posted on 4th September 2015 by DNB Dojo

If you’re looking for dark, threatening halftime beats then this one should make you feel warm and fuzzy in all the right places (or dark and threatened maybe, we’re not too certain on that one). Turbine Music’s latest comes from German producer Acid Lab’s Ahmad alias and it doesn’t get much grubbier than this!

As usual with the darker and less up front styles, the emphasis is on consistency and groove, with spooky pads, throbbing bass and crisp, echoing percussion fills characterising the tracks on the EP. A wide array of collaborators grace the different tracks but they maintain a nice consistency despite this. Fans of the likes of AMIT, None Decay and Red Army will definitely enjoy this! Check out the clips below and look for the EP at all good digital stores from September 4th.

Koronis – The Replicant LP

Posted on 31st August 2015 by DNB Dojo

Kiwi producer and sound-design artist Koronis isn’t a name I’ve come across before, but it’s certainly one I’ll be keeping an eye on in future based on the strength of his latest LP project The Replicant. Bringing together creepy atmospherics more common to dark ambient and crisp techstep minimalism, the resulting tracks have a bleakness and intrigue which draws the listener in impressively.

The LP’s first half focuses on more conventional drum & bass patterns, and while not unduly dancefloor focussed features three tracks which wouldn’t feel out of place in a “room 2” set from the likes of Amoss or Cern. Tough amens, intricate drum patterns and a gloomy vibe pervades the material here nicely.

The second half takes things far more abstract, dropping the beats almost entirely to focus on sound design and texture, with powerful ambience and use of atonal melodies taking the tone to a deeper and almost spiritual place. Koronis is tapping into the cross section between dark D&B and dark ambient for a truly unique experience here, not least on the haunting tones of Kara, the LP’s final track.

For those who enjoy exploring the less than beaten paths at the fringes of drum & bass, I can’t recommend this record enough. Check out the video mix below for a flavour of the material and watch out for the LP dropping later this year on vinyl and digital.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5cg2RAg1rg

Homemade Weapons – Clarion Call EP [Samurai Music]

Posted on 27th August 2015 by DNB Dojo

Seattle based producer Homemade Weapons has carved out quite a reputation for himself as a purveyor of stark, militant beats and his latest EP for Presha’s esteemed Samurai Music imprint is possibly his finest work to date. The title Clarion Call (and indeed the cover art, featuring images of riot police fighting protesters) should give you some idea of what to expect; this is angry music with more than a little edge to it.

The EP’s first half hits the hardest, with tough break chopping and brooding sub a-plenty, with highlights on the positively snarling Clarion Call and the relentless kicks and breaks of Mileena VIP. The digital only tracks on the second half take things deeper, keeping the ominous tone but reeling in the breaks in favour of more spacious halftime stylings.

Overall the EP is a fearsome selection of material for those who like their beats at the moody end of the spectrum. Check out the clips below and hit up the Samurai store to get a copy on digital now. Vinyl heads, if you haven’t already grabbed a copy direct from Samurai you’ll need to keep an eye on the usual outlets when the record reaches general release.

If you’re looking for more from Homemade Weapons the man himself has just mixed the latest installment of the Samurai Podcast; check out his murky selections below.

Mystic State – Clockwork EP [Nurtured Beatz]

Posted on 16th August 2015 by DNB Dojo

We picked out Mystic State earlier this year as one of our top 5 to watch, and their latest EP for Nurtured Beatz adds another solid release to their already impressive catalogue. If you like your beats deep, moody and groove focussed then this one should hit the spot nicely!

Clockwork lives up to it’s name with a steady halftime groove built around chiming percussion and a distinctly mechanical feel. Submerge continues the halftime trend but takes things darker, with bassline and heavy snares evoking brooding, murderous tones.

The second half of the EP ups the ante with full-roll collaborations with Howz & D-Side; the murky aesthetic is still present and the style remains stripped back, but the sludgy halfstep beats are swapped out for a crisp, insistent 2-step. The Room 2 heads will definitely be feeling these!

As usual you can pick up the whole EP direct from Nurtured Beatz via Bandcamp at a reduced price, or grab them from all the usual digital stores. Check out the clips below and go cop the release right now!

Premiere: Red Army – Yergacheffe

Posted on 12th August 2015 by DNB Dojo

Those of you with a taste for the dark, brooding halftime style of drum & bass pushed by the likes of Amit over the past few years should already be familiar with Red Army. Hailing from Sacremento, James Fuhring has been racking up releases for the likes of Dust Audio and Onset for some time and his latest work heads up the esteemed Translation Recordings’ new EP, Bassment Beats Vol. 2.

Packing some serious bassweight, driving kick drums and a fantastic progressive groove, we’re proud to present the premiere of Yergacheffe! Check it out below and keep your eyes and ears on the Translation pages for more clips going live ahead of the August 24th release.

Amoss – Crab Stance [Flexout Audio]

Posted on 28th July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Flexout bring us possibly their biggest release to date with three fresh tracks from well established grit-merchants Amoss. Crab Stance opens things up with a deep head nodder, keeping things simmering with tight percussion and nice mid range textures without ever allowing the mix to boil over into more aggressive territory.

Liqer ups the ante slightly, rolling steady with more crisp textures and atmospherics to create a powerful groove. Last but not least M Set & Deefa’s All Consuming Fear gets the remix treatment with the boys letting loose on a more insistent bass and beats arrangement to match the aggy vocal line.

The EP is out right now via all the usual outlets, but you can get it cheaper and support the label directly by grabbing it through their Bandcamp page. Get to it!

Bad Graphics – Progression / Altitude [Ronin Audio]

Posted on 19th July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Leeds label Ronin Audio bring us their first release, with two experimental cuts from local production duo Bad Graphics. Progression keeps things pretty stark and ominous, switching at will between bassy minimalism and hyperactive break smashing, creating a really nice duality. Over on the flip Altitude keeps the beats a bit steadier, playing around with a fantastically wonky bassline that refuses to pin itself down into an obvious groove, preferring to keep the listener off balance with it’s odd rhythms.

You can grab this one right now from the Ronin Bandcamp, and if you want to find out a bit more about the label be sure to check out our Q&A with label boss Chimera.

Fuj – Broadside EP [Scientia Music]

Posted on 6th July 2015 by DNB Dojo

Australian bass technician Fuj joins the Scientia ranks with an EP of dark, crisp tech. Dauntless collab Genesis and the titular Broadside keep the vibes heavy and rolling while Best Before and the ominous March Of The Fall stomp along to more minimal but nonetheless hard hitting riddims. Bad sound! Check out the clips below and grab this one from your favourite store right now.

DNB Dojo

Drum & Bass News and Reviews

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