Nickbee is one of those high quality producers you know just by the signature of his sound. Simple and fat. This guy does an amazing job of controlling his sounds in such a way that every hit delivers a full impact while not losing anything in the work. His quality surely surpasses most producers and he can certainly be noted as once of the best engineers in the Drum & Bass scene. “The Gears” EP on Eatbrain certainly does just to his craft.
The prince of sound joins the force known as Eatbrain in Neurofunk Drum & Bass with his latest EP “The Gears” featuring the erie vocals of Syze.
We are certainly proud of Misanthrop releasing his self titled album on one of my favorite labels, Neosignal. Neosignal has released amazing music and it keeps getting better. We are certainly impressed with the recent album. The album has some crazy sick dance floor tear out, minimal funk, white noise music great for an anime movie’s ambience with “The Funk.”
Our Favorite from this release however is “Infinite Hysteria.” Oh my god, what an “epicly” amazing track. The pitch drop off key synth is grand and the track name certainly fits the intensity inside the drop. Check out the album below!
We had recently seen Let It Roll‘s interview of Rido and discussing his opportunity to write an album for Blackout Music, his life style change, and how this Prague native is now focused on dishing out massive tunes. He says he recently had a home studio where his tracks were a bit too polished and that Drum & Bass music sounds best when its raw. He is right! All this hard work being done is proving critical to the sound of future neurofunk. For the past two years, Rido has been working on his “Rhythm of Life” album and the sampler give you some insight as to whats to come this September!
Mindtech Recordings brings us Chaser “Ambition” EP
After hearing the latest forthcoming on the Belgium imprint on their Soundcloud, I contacted Mindtech Recordings’ A&R Tom Nevroz immediately. I said, “Yo, Nevroz!! Hook us up with that new release!” Being the awesome A&R he is, he processed the hook up quickly . I checked my download folder for the Chaser “Ambition” EP. I opened it up, pressed play, and I was blown away!
First off, ChaseR is on a roll. Let’s get that out of the way. This year we’ve seen releases on Ignescent & Greypost that are great compositions. We were however so surprised at the caliber of music brought forth on Mindtech Recordings. This is the kind of neurofunk that is certainly worth the buy. From sick bass lines, synths, and tight drums, this guy brings us to break our necks with some sweet neuro. This EP is so dope and is certainly fitting to prove this producer is on another level!!! Great stuff! I can’t wait for the next from this bad man!
We are so excited to receive this one from Infectious PR. The technoid-funk-heads at Neodigital bring you some straight techno influenced music. I have been waiting for this EP for sometime now. Since Neodigital dropped the Current Value – Approximation clip on their soundcloud, we were left on a cliff hanger dangling from our forefinger, breathing heavy, looking down below at the jagged rocks. As the finger lets go we are swept up by a giant robotic dragon! Its breathing fire and spewing it through its exhausts as we dive into a wormhole. Listening through this EP brings you to a “Tron” like universe, pixelated and out of control. The grid is folding upon us and there is no escape!
Man this EP is crazy. Phace, Signs, Stoner, Hybris, Current Value all on one EP. Is it Christmas already!?
If you have not picked this thing up yet, you must. Its without a doubt one of the craziest EPs this year. Our favorite tune of the EP is Signs – “Black Mirror.” Definitely not the “hypest” track on the EP but that triplet singing pitched dropped sample is so dope! Listen and buy now!
We were blessed once again with a promo. Shout out to Eatbrain, Terminal, and Promo.ly for the hook up. I have been waiting for this LP for sometime. The Mechtropolis Sampler definitely has one of my favorite tracks to date, Speaker. The MachineCode duo consists of Dean Rodell & Current Value. This tag team has put forth consistent quality Drum & Bass since there conception. The LP Sampler released earlier this year was certainly a taste of what was to come. Read that review here.
Now, in our review we touched on the feeling we were left with when listening to the release. The feeling of needing more. Ever feel like your meal was great but the food was not enough? Kind of like Kentucky Fried Chicken. Tastes great but not filling. We were left loving “Speaker” from that release but wanting more.
Did we get what we wanted?
The LP drops 9/5/2016. We had a chance to listen to this album and did so 4 times in a row. We wanted to give this one a fair shot and we’ll tell you why. There are some situations that require a second chance. We all love new technology! We’re always waiting for the latest smartphone, the next ribbon tweeter, or the newest midi controller. When we get a hint of whats to come we paint an image in our heads of how awesome its going to be. Then the newest iPhone drops and you look at it and its just like the one you just bought. We almost felt the Mechtropolis LP was the same at first listen…
And then I realized, I’m on laptop speakers, my kids, TV was going, the fan was on, and I’m cleaning my room looking like Aunt Jemima. What the [expletive] am I doing?! I laughed and I headed to my studio to give proper attention to what I found to be an amazing LP. Had to give a proper listen on my Adams.
MachineCode – Mechtropis LP
The Delivery
MC Coppa
I sat through the album another 3 times as I cleaned up the studio. Boy, some of these tracks were so sick. The album starts off with “Imagine” featuring the famed MC Coppa. This one features some great effects, high pitched vocals, and kind of reminds me of Karl K, Kaos, and Jae Kennedy and some other releases from circa 2005. Great intro track to kick off this LP.
They I was brought in to the world of Mechtropolis. A neo-dystopian society run by machines. Somewhat reminded me of Aeon Flux or The Animatrix Renaissance Part 1. The intro lets you in with great atmosphere and pads. Then the that Eatbrain style synth and the AWESOME vocal sample. “There once was a species called Human Being.” This took me in and then the drop was so deep. Now, this is not your romper stomper of a track that meant to make the dance floor jump up and down blowing whistles. This is a mind track. The synths and the effects that continously grow in the tracking wrapped in tight drum hits and a whisper by a sweep white noise / ride effect just keep it all going deep.
We dig it for sure but our “Ooooh” Moment was when we listened to “Skaro”. This is by far the best track on the release. Every track on this album was crafted with precision and we will certainly rep this album as a featured release on DNB Mag.
Have a listen below. Link to the sites to buy the release when it drops!
We were so excited to receive the promo from Terminal recently and as always, Eatbrain unleashes another monster from the arsenal of music. Mastic is known for quality sound, creative baselines, and a for being a true artiste of the Neurofunk sound. We’ve listened to Maztek over the years and have loved his growth in production quality and ideas. We must also say we are suckers for those Maztek Remixes that never let us down.
Getting to know that man, the myth, the Maztek:
Maztek is a 10-year Drum & Bass Veteran. His firsts releases were in 2006 and then he became well known with the releases on famed imprint Subculture Recordings in 2008. Subculture was an outlet he created that also released artists like Optiv, No Money, and more. Later on in 2012, after releases on labels Ammunition, Basswerk, Syndrome Audio, and a few others, Maztek landed on the world renowned Renegade Hardware with this “Galactica” single. This is an achievement most every producer would love and its not surprising he made it there with the quality of music he’s put out. Later in 2014 Maztek released his first album “Three Point Zero” on Renegade Hardware and yet again blew us aware with tracks like “Badlicious” and the title track “Three Point Zero.”
Maztek continued to simply never let us down through today with
2016 premiering some of the best music in Neurofunk. We take a minute to talk to Maztek about whats to come in our future from his amazing sounds:
Maztek “Grinder” EP (Eatbrain Records)
The Interview:
Maztek Interview First Off, Thank you so much for the opportunity to talk. DNB Magazine is a major fan of yours since the conception of the project. It is surely an honor.
Thank you guys it is my pleasure and honor.
Now, as of late you have been making even heavier bangers and the quality of your craft is consistently improving. We love your free download of “Dark Warrior” featuring Maksim, the BTK Rework remix and we’re amazed with your tracks on the new “Grinder” EP forth coming on Eatbrain.
Thanks as a producer I always try to discover more, try new things and do better and the best tune is always the next one.
We understand you’re from Rome but are now in the Netherlands. Why the move and has it influenced your music at all?
I decided to move for the music, here drum&bass is very very hot at the moment and I can say that this move has definitely influenced my production technically. There are also many other producers around here and you get many imputs from the everyday life as well.
We all are aware of the DAW’s out in the world and are sure you’ve used many. Which is your DAW of choice? Synth of choice?
I chose Cubase many years ago and i’m still in love with it, it’s very professional and gives you many options and tools for your production. About the synth I love the Virus TI2 but also the new Xfer Serum synth which is actually pretty complete. Still in love with NI Massive too. For the drums I felt in love with addictive drums and Ez drummer or superior drummer.
For those that don’t know, you’re also a hell of a graphic designer. What works are you most proud of and where can we see this work? What have you got cooking now?
You can see my graphic designs in all the Subculture records, I also made the trendkill records logo and other things as well. Since few years I’m focusing more on the music than on the graphic design so there will be more music coming out from myself than artworks .
The title track is so well produced. From the arrangement, builds, switches, follies & fills, we stay interested and captivated throughout. What went in to this track that may be a little different than others?
I tried to give it a fresh touch but keeping my raw and “minimal” kind of sound, straight on your face without too much high sounds but focusing more on the drum and the bassline. I think the result is grinding pretty well .
June Miller is featured on your “Blaffer” track which is an amazing tune. How did you go about connecting and what was it like working with June Miller?
I linked up with them when I moved to Holland, I went to their studio in Rotterdam and we started that tune, it is actually almost a 1 year old tune that we finished lately with their magic touch.
To work with June Miller is amazing and fun, they are really 2 gentlemen and the flow of the session is smooth and productive. We are definitely going to do more togheter.
Back to the art side. We love Eatbrain’s artist of choice, Trinyo. What do you think of Eatbrain’s choice for the artwork on your Grinder EP?
I love it, I love all of their artworks and the story behind every release. In my case I think it suites the title tune.
We’re in the business of “What’s next!?” So with that said, what is next Mr. Maztek? Free Downloads, Tours, Artwork, EPs, LP?
I’m gonna release a free tune probably after the summer, something drum&bass this time I’ve never released. I’m also working on some beats with Gridlok who just moved to Amsterdam and other solo tunes and collab with singers I still don’t want to reveal. Making also some new beats for the Dope DOD guys.
Last but not least: Whats your favorite movie?
That’s hard to say I have many but if I have to pick up one of all time I would say the goonies
Maztek, This concludes the interview. Thank you so much for your valuable time. Get back to the studio and make more NASTY music. We surely cannot wait!
Thank you guys and shouts to all the followers and supporters see all of you around soon.
Check out the Grinder EP coming soon on Eatbrain Records. (Our review is coming soon!)
MachineCode comes through.
Maztek “Grinder” EP on Eatbrain is Amazing