Perverse – Terrain / Petrichor [Flexout Audio]

Posted on 14th April 2015 by DNB Dojo

Kiwi duo Perverse are best known for their productions in the 140 realm, with a host of deep dubstep releases for the likes of Tempa and beyond. It seems they’re dipping their toes into the D&B pond now though, and the results are pretty impressive!

Both tracks on show here carry the influence of the original dubstep sound but set to a half-time D&B tempo; deep sub, nice atmospherics and sparse but detailed drum rhythms characterise the compositions, with Terrain keeping things light and airy while Petrichor scuzzes up the bass and brings in a slightly more militant tone via metallic percussion and a more insistent back beat.

As usual Flexout don’t disappoint, and I for one hope to hear more 170BPM material from Perverse. Check out the clips below and cop this one from the Flexout Bandcamp now!

Inertia / Ghost Palace [Blendits]

Posted on 1st April 2015 by DNB Dojo

Rotterdam-based imprint Blendits return with possibly their most varied release to date featuring four fresh new tracks from up and coming producers in the scene. Chromatic kick things off with grimey tech roller Inertia that hits the ground at a hefty pace with a catchy bass riff and tight, funky drum lines. Bredren & Philth keep things moving along at pace on Ghost Palace, taking the vibe deeper with booming sub and creepy atmospherics.

Le Tricolore changes the vibe completely, bringing the melodies to the fore on a liquid beat built on cheeky melodic flourishes and soaring pads. Last but not least Bredren close things out on an experimental tip with the sparse, melancholy halfstep of Passing Period. One for the deep heads! Check out the clips below and look for this on vinyl and digital from April 13th.

Cirrus – Dark Skies EP [Alchemic Breaks]

Posted on 9th March 2015 by DNB Dojo

Alchemic Breaks cement their reputation for quality, forward thinking beats with a fresh new EP from Terra Null Recordings boss Cirrus. The Dark Skies EP lives up to its name, with all four tracks bringing ominous, foreboding vibes with dark textures and plenty of atmosphere.

All four tracks are well worth a listen, from the punchy drums of of Dark Skies through the skittering glitches and rich, throbbing bass of Lost In The Desert. The Hannibal-sampling Ugly Variables proves the standout track, with it’s mix of perfectly programmed drums and spooky vocal clips, leaving Wind Like This to close the EP with something slightly more melodic.

Cirrus and Alchemic Breaks and definitely both on our “to watch” list for this year on the strength of this release! Check out the clips below and grab the release from your favourite digital store from Mar 16th.

Cirrus – Drone Protocol / I Know You [Terabyte Records]

Posted on 3rd March 2015 by DNB Dojo

Cirrus steps up to drop the latest beats for Terabyte Records, and as we’ve come to expect from both parties the results are deep, dark and minimal. A side Drone Protocol drives forward with an ominous selection of bass and atmospherics set to a plodding half-time lilt, while I Know You opts for a slightly glitchier aesthetic with skittering percussion filling out the kick/snare rhythm.

Check out the clips below and look for this one at all good digital stores from March 9th.

Classic Track: Data – Compassion

Posted on 12th February 2015 by DNB Dojo

The recent release of an old Data track via Terabyte reminded me of some of the gems from his back catalogue, before his shift away from D&B and towards slower tempos via his Nick Modern alias. One of the best from the archives saw release on Metalheadz via the Genesis EP Pt 2; blending a haunting melody and vocal line with Nick’s talent for minimal drums, Compassion remains one of my favourite slices of deep, melancholy D&B. Check it out below and head to Juno to grab a copy.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nY-JmK96TM]

Suboreal – Isis EP [Chaos Audio]

Posted on 10th February 2015 by DNB Dojo

Chaos Audio return with a dark, minimal EP from German producer Suboreal. Featuring super crisp production and plenty of bass heft, the tracks take in a wide range of tones. Isis features driving, kick heavy rhythms while Abide provides plodding, onimous soundscapes; out into the back half of the EP Resilience explores chunky half time beats while Torrent closes things out with skittering percussion set over more gritty, detailed atmospherics. Check out the clips below and watch out for this one dropping from Feb 23rd.

Skeptical – Something In The Sound [Exit Records]

Posted on 14th January 2015 by DNB Dojo

It’s not often we cover dubstep here on the Dojo but we’re making a rare exception here for three reasons; Skeptical, Exit Records, and sheer quality respectively. Skeppy’s new 10″ harnesses the spirit of early releases (before the tearout crew crucified the genre with endless wobble and horrible midrange noises) and blends it with the man’s talent for huge booming sub and punchy drums. Think early Tempa or DMZ but with the benefit of another ten years of engineering – formidable stuff.

Something in the Sound carries more energy with plenty of low end muscle and tasty percussion fills to shuffle the track along at as much of a pace as you’d expect for dubstep, while Talk The Talk thins out the drums to let the bass breath through a plodding kick/snare riddim. Check out the clips below and keep your eyes peeled if you want a copy – the release is vinyl only and already appears to be sold out at the Exit Store.

Skeptical – Imperial EP [Exit Records]

Posted on 7th January 2015 by DNB Dojo

Having contributed releases for both Mosaic LPs, collaborated with dBridge and of course played a part in the seminal Marka single, it seemed only a matter of time til Skeptical dropped a solo release for Exit. Fans of all things dark and minimal in the 170BPM sphere will be glad to hear that that time is now, with young Skeppy dropping four new beats for dBridge’s esteemed imprint in the form of the Imperial EP.

The titular Imperial opens things up with a tight, percussive groover with a tribal vibe; with the exception of some fairly sparse strings this track pretty much entirely ignores melody in favour of a wall of sub bass and a hypnotic drum line, rattling away in a trance inducing fashion. Don’t bother listening to this on a pair of iPod headphones; you’ll need some fairly serious speakers to give it a fair hearing.

Playground Chat Back keeps the minimal aesthetic but strips the beat back and plays with some pretty robotic bass hums; once again the low end heft is definitely gonna induce a few screwfaces in the dance. Instant Reflex ups the energy a bit with tons of movement in the bass samples and massive kicks and snares driving the track along nicely, while Delusions of Grandeur closes things out with a growling, angular half-stepper. Watch out for these dropping January 19th on vinyl and digital, and arm yourself with some low end weaponry!

None Decay – Choke (Interline Remix) [None Decay Music]

Posted on 1st December 2014 by DNB Dojo

None Decay Music returns with a deadly new single welcoming Interline and Defucto to the label family. Interline gives None Decay’s Choke the remix treatment, keeping the half-step rhythms but switching things up with extra percussion and atmospherics. Over on the flip Defucto serves up an old school tearer with big nasty bass and a simple but effective break detailed with extra cymbals. Tasty stuff! Check out the clips below and grab this one from your favourite digital outlet now!

Fearful – XIII [AutomAte]

Posted on 30th November 2014 by DNB Dojo

AutomAte round off their year with a fresh release from one of the label’s first artists, Fearful. Crisp, precise beats and growling basslines are the order of the day on this one, keeping things deep and dark. The EP also features remixes from Mtwn and Raiden; the former refixes the track into a skittering percussive workout with all the menace of the original but a distinctly different vibe, while the Offkey boss lends his signature tribal drum sounds to turn in a brooding mix for my pick of the three.

Check out the clips below and look for this at all good digital stores from December 1st.

DNB Dojo

Drum & Bass News and Reviews

Tag Archives: Minimal