Billain – Binary Vol. 3 [Critical Music]

Posted on 4th November 2014 by DNB Dojo

Bosnian neurofunk producer Billain steps up to deliver the third instalment in Critical’s digital only “Binary” series, with three slices of heavy hitting D&B primed for the dancefloor. Macula opens the salvo with a punchy, rolling break and morphing bass modulations combined into a non-stop assault on the senses; not for the faint of heart!

Subduction follows suit, keeping the energy levels high with a mean, distorted bassline and another pedal-to-the-metal break, leaving only Conflicted to explore less aggressive territory with its choppy drumstep stylings. The production quality on show on the tracks is unbelievable (as usual for Billain) – check out the clips below and grab this one from the Critical Store now.

Naiive – Let Go / Lost Within [Terabyte Records]

Posted on 2nd November 2014 by DNB Dojo

Terabyte Records welcome another new name to the roster in the form of Manchester’s Naiive, who serves up two slices of cutting edge 170BPM beat-work. Let Go treads relatively familiar Terabyte ground, serving up grimey halfstep beats with a punchy vocal from MC Xochi. The detail in the percussion is phenomenal, and the slouching, swung beat is punctuated nicely by a fair bit of low end menace.

Lost Within trades the half-time beats for a more rolling D&B break and a more ethereal tone, as soft, chiming melodies compete in the mix with dark, distorted bass swells. The duality of the light and dark elements really makes the track; impressive stuff! Check out the clips below and look for this one at all good digital stores from November 3rd.

SCAR – Old Ground EP [Metalheadz Platinum]

Posted on 26th October 2014 by DNB Dojo

It’s been quite a year for SCAR – with singles for Horizons, an EP and a limited edition dubplate for Dispatch and appearances on Metalheadz Platinum Breakz 4 LP the duo have burst onto the scene with gusto. Their latest work sees them bringing a solo EP for the ‘headz camp and as you’d expect it sees them at the top of their game.

So Suddenly leads the EP, showing off an obvious affinity for tough, techy D&B. Ruby meanwhile has more of a classic ‘headz vibe, bringing to mind the sound of some of their 90s releases with more old-fashioned synth work and crustier break chops. Old Ground brings a combination of skittering drums and sub bass menance to the table, leaving Old Time Metal to close out the EP with dubby samples and hard, metallic snares.

Excellent work once again from the SCAR camp! Check out the clips below and head over to the ‘headz store to pre-order this one on vinyl or digital – full release drops from October 27th.

Audio – Nil By Mouth EP [RAM Records]

Posted on 18th October 2014 by DNB Dojo

Anyone concerned by Audio’s move from Virus to RAM and the implications for his sound needn’t have worried if this latest EP is anything to go by – his signature high impact sound is in full effect and hasn’t softened at all at his new home on Andy C’s imprint.

All four tracks provide gritty hard-edge D&B in spades, but my favourites come on Break It and Gotham, the former making great use of ever shifting drum samples and some old school reese bass business while the latter brings the more angular, menacing beat patterns that fans of Audio’s older work for Freak Recordings will remember fondly. For the sample spotters amongst you, this isn’t the first time Audio has lifted dialogue from a Batman movie – see his excellent Power of Fear release for Subtitles for another nice bit of cinematic appropriation.

The nil by mouth EP drops on vinyl and digital from all good stores from Sunday 19th October – head to the RAM Store or your favourite outlet and grab it!

Survey – Object Relations EP [Protect Audio]

Posted on 17th October 2014 by DNB Dojo

Protect Audio return with a top new EP from German production outfit Survey. Fresh from releases on Invisible and Authentic, Survey are slowly carving themselves a rep for crisp, techy beats and this latest EP sees their style and talents honed once again.

Collapse kicks things off with a smooth slice of rolling techstep which brings to mind early Ulterior Motive productions for Subtitles Music. Jumpat gets in on the action for 9814, which keeps the grimey bass texture but switches the drum rhythms up in favour of weird, tribal syncopations aimed more at your head than your dancing shoes.

The tone and detail continue through Fragment and Inhale, both harnessing a darkness and industrial quality which may well be inspired by the atmosphere of Survey’s current home, Berlin. Check out the clips below and watch out for this dropping on CD and digital from October 20th.

None Decay – Night Terrors / Bicep [None Decay Music]

Posted on 13th October 2014 by DNB Dojo

None Decay return to their own imprint with another pair of dark, techy beats. Night Terrors provides a fairly hefty slice of rolling, industrial-edged D&B that brings to mind old school Virus Recordings business, but for me the star of the show is found in Bicep on the flip.

Imbued with tons of creepy atmosphere from the pads and FX, the tune flexes it’s proverbial muscles via crunchy bass growls and a stomping, insistent half-step beat. The little sonic details washing in and out over the backbone of bass and beats really make this one. Check out the clips below and grab this from the None Decay Bandcamp or your favourite digital store now.

Clarity – Hell’s Gate [Samurai Music]

Posted on 29th September 2014 by DNB Dojo

Samurai warm us up for the impending release of Clarity’s debut LP with a 3 track EP featuring the man’s deep, dark riddims. Hell’s Gate sees T Man take the mic for a gloomy stepper imbued with an appropriately confrontational vocal, while Engineering brings on board regular partner in crime Overlook for an exercise in atmosphere and percussion precision. The bongo rolls and rumbling sub give this a really hypnotic vibe.

Last but by no means least, Hours delivers more ominous, tribal rhythms, with reverb-drenched pads and echoing gongs washing over crisp hats and an insistent kick/snare line. Check out the clips below and head over to the Samurai Store to grab the release on vinyl or digital.

If you want more from Clarity look no further than the latest episode of the Samurai Music podcast where you’ll find an hour long mix showcasing tracks from the EP alongside other selections from the experimental end of the 170 spectrum.

M:Pathy – Thumper / Velocious [Terabyte Records]

Posted on 22nd September 2014 by DNB Dojo

Terabyte return after their eclectic selection of remixes with a fresh single from previous label alumnus M:Pathy. Thumper takes it’s name from a thumping sub line, driving the tune along in tandem with a rolling techstep beat and a minimalist selection of midrange growls and subtle pads.

Velocious (as in rapid, or fast) sticks with the stripped back, gloomy tone but switches the beat up, punctuating a half-time kick/snare rhythm with a rapidly shuffling top percussion line. Once again there’s some impressively hefty sub on show here; iPod headphones or laptop speakers are certainly not gonna do these tunes justice. The release is out right now at all good digital stores so check out the clips below. If you want a little more on all things Terabyte be sure to check out our recent interview with label boss Auzi here.

Vromm – Prototype EP [31 Recordings]

Posted on 15th September 2014 by DNB Dojo

After a period of quiet for some three years Doc Scott’s 31 Recordings is back in full swing, and since last year the label has released a solid stream of great new music. The latest EP release comes from Vromm, the new solo project from one member of eclectic electronic collective Various Production.

The beats on show here carry a deep, dark, tribal quality; while they were clearly designed with big soundsystems in mind, there’s a definite “Room 2” vibe to the tracks. Intricate percussion, deftly crafted atmosphere and weighty groove define the EP through and through, and fans of the output on labels like Samurai Music and Nurtured Beatz are sure to lap this one up too. The EP is out now; check out the clips below and grab a copy from your favourite outlet.

You can also check out a guest mix from Vromm for KMag below, featuring tracks from the EP alongside beats from the likes of Dub Phizix, Gremlinz and Ink. Deeper beats!

Prolix – Transcendent EP [Trendkill Records]

Posted on 5th September 2014 by DNB Dojo

Fans of Prolix will know what to expect from his latest output – the Transcendent EP sees him teaming up with some of the biggest names in the neurofunk scene for an all out assault on your senses, and the results are pure dancefloor destruction. Highlights include the supreme midrange aggression of the titular Transcendent (with Neosignal’s Misanthrop), the hard snares and off kilter riddims of Vital Condition (with MC Coppa on vocals) and the big gnarly stomper that is Next Level (featuring Offkey alumni Meth).

Check out the clips below and grab this one from Beatport now.

DNB Dojo

Drum & Bass News and Reviews

Tag Archives: Dark