We’re hyped to have a techstep legend in the premiere spotlight today! Taken from his new EP for CNVX, The Dreamer sees DSCI4 boss Trace teaming up with Berlin duo Survey for a retro-future sci-fi roller; from the spacey pads of the intro through the crunchy breaks and modulated basslines, this is the soul of late 90s dark D&B brought up to the minute with 2020 production techniques, and it sounds glorious. Look for this coming August 14th on Bandcamp!
Survey cement their place as slingers of the finest quality dark tech with another big EP for Dispatch, and we’ve got the exclusive on Phase collab Sensory! Rolling breaks, metallic snares and an assortment of growling bass modulations make for a proper dancefloor weapon; hit up the Dispatch store right now to grab the EP.
Kolectiv return to Dispatch this month with four new tracks showcasing their rugged tech style, and they’ve brought likeminded artists Survey and Philth along for some collabs to boot. We grabbed them for a quick chat about collaborations, deeper meaning how it feels to step up their game. Read on…
Berlin duo Survey land on Dispatch LTD this month with a sick new EP full of their brand of dark, techy D&B and we’re hyped to have the exclusive on closing track Radar! Ominous atmospheres, groaning bass and that brand of percussive intricacy that has been defining a lot of recent Dispatch and Metalheadz releases put this one right at the top of the game alongside the likes of Amoss and Philth. Sick tune! Hit up the Dispatch store to grab the EP right now…
Time for another roundup of the best releases in the underground D&B scene; read on for new releases from Renegade Hardware, Flexout, Warm Communications, Invisible and more…
Melbourne’s Plasma Audio return with their fourth release, this time tapping London’s Kolectiv and Berlin duo Survey for the beats. The former turn in a super deep halftime number coyly titled A Bunch Of Notes – we’re thinking a bit more thought went into the arrangement than that name implies. Hints of dub and serene atmospherics collide with intricate percussion and dark, stalking bass, and the result is top class.
Over on the flip we’re treated to more of Survey’s trademark gloomy, ominous, tech-edged style. The bass on this one throbs away against a grooving, tribal rhythm that’s likely informed by Berlin’s thriving techno scene; either way, this is heavyweight business. Check out the clips below and pick this one up right now from your favourite digital store.
Survey continue to hone their sound with a great new EP for US label Translation. Fans of the Berlin based duo will know what to expect here; industrial, grimey techstep in the vein of early Ulterior Motive.
Most of the EP focusses on the half-time tempo with detailed, gritty textures among sparse beats. For us though the standout track is the crisp, rolling beat of the more conventional Paperhands. Check out the clips below and hit up the Translation Bandcamp to grab the release now.
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.
Noisia’s Invisible Recordings imprint returns with another various artists EP showcasing the deeper side of the 170BPM spectrum. Nickbee returns to the imprint with a rolling slice of tech with plenty of atmosphere, but to be honest the other tracks on the release prove far more interesting.
Bop and Diagram’s Abstract Elements collaboration make their first appearance on the label with the angular microfunk of PMS!!!, complete with one of the oddest samples I’ve heard in a tune for some time. Fre4knc serves up a dark, industrial slice of half-step business with some interesting rhythms on Cardiome, and finally Berlin duo Survey deliver a distinctly tribal sounding rhythm in the form of Swim.
Check out the clips below and watch out for this dropping on vinyl from Monday with digital following on the 26th.
Czech label Authentic Music touch down with their biggest release to date in the form of the Gates of Dawn LP. The album features a stunning array of tracks spanning all the styles of drum & bass, with particular highlights coming on Hybris twisted tech refix of Arp XP’s Five Black Forms and Distant Future’s epic roller Changes.
Elsewhere Ower turns in a jazzy slice of dancefloor business with Supermurgitroid, Survey treat us to their industrial blend of minimalist D&B, Bone turns in a wonderfully uplifting roller on the oddly titled Empty Place and Entita delivers a slice of straight up rolling tech on Other Side. The whole album is packed full of fantastic tunes so check out the clips below and watch out for the release from Feb 17th.