Author: Alex Diode

Alex Diode is a Drum & Bass enthusiast from MA, USA. He prefers long bass on the drums & neurofunk at sunset.

Glados EP Represents

So I recently had the opportunity to fully listen to the Glados EP out on Inspected Records thanks to the almighty Terminal. This is a various artist EP that does well against others and we are surely impressed from the status that Insected has put forth.

Glados EP features Neurofunk heavyweights Billain, Malux, Posij, and nuero-hop/dubstep badman Culprate. This eclectic EP brings forth al sides of the neuro brain. Billain comes with his track “Specialist” which shows the sickest in his sound design and though its a “emotionless” track as soon as the drop hits, it sure stirs the fire into being a fast paced technically sound tune. Malux comes correct as always and hits hard with his dance floor oriented Neurofunk with his track “Rubix” our favorite of this EP. Posij comes super correct on this EP. Posij known for some of the sickest Euro Neuro and thing swimming track surely does it right. Culprate’s track pays homage to underground hip hop. The creativity and use of effects and sound design is great.

All in all this is a pretty dope release and while we can’t say these tracks are all dance floor smashers, each can surely fit into a set where ever you are playing.

Featured Releases Neurofunk NeuroHop Techstep

Long Awaited Noisia Album LEAKED

Post author By Alex Diode
Post date August 3, 2016

Spilling over the Outer Edges

So, we come across it again. The lack of respect for the musician. In a world where nothing is free, those looking to be embraced hurt the most. We remember the Napster days when P2P sharing was ran ramped we saw the fall of the music seen. Every artist felt the pain. From the millions lost by super stars to the pennies lost by bedroom producers. It was a shame to see the fall. No longer could you make a living solely from your creative process. A transition occurred where the money needed to be made from the actual appearance of the artist and how they perform. While it’s great to see them live, not everyone has such an opportunity. Also, contrary to that belief some major artists say they didn’t feel this pain. The pain is for those non grammy winning artists who would like to see some monetary compensation for the time they spent making a track that is available every to buy. Will Noisia feel such pain?

The only benefit of such tragedy is that this P2P world causes for free promotion. We take back to Spor who released his album “Caligo” for free on the popular P2P sharing platform BitTorrent. He also made the album available to buy for those true fans who wanted to support the album and the Spor sound we all miss. We loved his quote: “Having the Spor album live as a self-sufficient shared container via Bittorrent, something that’s everywhere and nowhere at the same time, replicating and spreading – embodies the nature of Spor. It’s my underground self.” This idea is epic and befitting to the nature of the underground Drum & Bass producer. With that said, all this helps is for the artist to expose his music and get light of the Drum & Bass fanbase. The album, while not the best from Spor, was free and helped promote both the artist and the P2P platform. Now, we all know this was on purpose… such is not the case for Drum & Bass monsters known as Noisia.

Feeling the Pain.

“As you might have noticed, our album got leaked. Many, many sad face. But on the positive side: we’re now releasing it as soon as we can. That means if you buy it on our own store, you can download it right away. Enjoy!” <3 Martijn, Nik and Thijs – www.noisia.nl

Ugh, that was a painful read. Noisia expressed their frustration on the fact that all of their hard work went no where. Or did it? When you go into so much work painting the Mona Lisa and then have someone take a picture, print it up and share it to the masses… It simply makes you want to hang your head… Noisia felt such in their post. While most breaking news is bad news, we feel this may help them. Noisia has now released their long awaited album “Outer Edges” on their site available today and then EVERYWHERE on Friday August 5th. We bought and took a listen…

DNB Magazine Approved?

We purchased the album and took a listen promptly. Still listening as I write this post actually. Noisia is known for assisting in pushing up the bar set for Drum & Bass producers world wide and have made some strides to do this hear as well. We were surprised a TAD bit about the lack of tear out Drum & Bass on this album. Noisia Radio surely gave us a hint to what was to come. Noisia Radio is known for the showing us some Neurofunk and every other track showing us some strongly hip-hop influenced beats. Outer Edges does somewhat the same. We were more impressed with some of the ideas set like in the track “The Entagled” With woodwinds, pads, strings, synths, bass whomps, and much more we were hit with a mood filled piece of art! Hip-Hop drop on that one by the way along with “Minatures” which is was the track sounds like.

“Mantra” was probably the most Future Beat influenced. We were impressed with the epic-ness of this audio. We were almost saddened however through the break until we were DESTROYED by the second drop! I said “Hurray! Some Drum & Bass!”

Our Pick from this album is…. *drum roll*

“Into Dust”

OH MY GOODNESS what a great track. While, its not long enough, this is some very epic Neurofunk! Our runner up is “Get Deaded.” We’ll not review the tracks and let them speak for themselves when you buy them.

Tags neurofunk, noisia, outer edges

Techstep

War brings you that Invisible Battle

Post author By Alex Diode
Post date August 2, 2016

The BNKR Series Continues with War

Methlab Recordings’s collective brings forth the latest in the darker side of liquid from Englishman, War. War is known for some sweet music on Horizon and Dispatch and we are excited to have a listen to his latest EP titled “Invisible” out on August 5, 2016. Along great textures and fantastic drums, War brings you back with very similar bass sounds from the 2000-2004 Jungle Tech Step era. We took a minute to review our pick from the EP.

Its not too often we are reminded were we come from. From the dungeons of the era of tech step. Late nights enjoying the dance floor with your closest friends and unknowns alike. Connecting on level unlike ever before. Whether you are hanging on the side of the room with your hat tucked tight or in the midst of the rhythm embracing your oneness, you were part of it. You were part of the deep neuro-tech step.

War takes me back to those nights where the mood was right. Deep. Elemental. Cerebral. His Track “Snow Blind” is certainly our favorite of this EP. The nostalgic feeling brings us back. The progression in the track is like a ride right back in time. This track contains great atmospheric textures, deep bass lines, and progressive drums. Snow Blind is a blast from the past. While the title track “Invisible” is also contains deep late night jungle vibes, Snow Blind takes the center stage for DNB Magazine.

We are now ever more interested in this BNKR series of Drum & Bass and can’t wait for the next installment! Get this EP out on 8/5/2016!!

https://soundcloud.com/methlab-recordings/sets/bnkr002-war-invisible-ep

Tags methlab, neuro, neurofunk, terminal, war

Artist Interviews Featured Interviews

Interview with Gancher & Ruin

Post author By Alex Diode
Post date July 30, 2016

These twins double up the sickness!

Gancher & Ruin are Russian twin brothers who have been storming the scene with their Neurofunk. Their Eatbrain releases are by far some of the best we’ve heard to date. Every track of their is spot on! The duo have released on Position Chrome, Mindocracy, Yellow Stripe, Future Sickness, and Enzyme. We’ve been listening to their tracks for some time and have loved the progression and transition into Neurofunk. After their latest release “The Chase” EP on Eatbrain, we decided we had to talk to them and find out whats next!

Artist Interview

First off, We are excited to talk to you and appreciate you taking the minute to talk to us about yourself and your latest EP “The Chase ” on Eatbrain’s imprint. We’ve seen some changes in your production overtime. Hows it been going the last few years? What have you done different in your production process that makes “The Chase” EP different from your previous releases?

Hey there!
Yeah, actually it’s been a big time for us. We have been working on a lot of different styles. Music won’t stop. It always vary and that’s what we like. More you listen to different genres – more you grow. Especially when you produce different music. It brings you new horizons (if you know what I mean). That’s great thing that brought us a new view on drum and bass.
If you like more neuro-style you do that – there is no borders. If you know you can do it – then do it. At least you try and move forward

As you know by our first question, we listen to your music. I worked with Cooh in the past so while our paths didn’t cross our musical influences surely have. I knew your music as that Crossbreed Drum & Bass that was very hardcore techno influenced music as well as your metal influences heavy amen music. While still hard bass, this latest EP is surely not that at all. What brought you to the Neurofunk side?

As an Artist and as a Person you have to get to the new level, I think. We choose Neurofunk as a new level. It has really nice techniques and vibe that we’ve been into for a long time.
We actually did a lot of Neurofunk back in the days but never released or showed anyone. It was more for getting skills on producing. And one day we thought: We can try do neurofunk and do it as we see it, but not as everybody does. I know it could sounds a bit … standard. We wanted to find a way to make a bridge between our old and new style and try to be not one of a many.

The engineering in “The Chase” has been great. You’ve set a new bar for yourselves and we are excited for whats to come. So we ask, whats next for you guys?

Thank you! The Chase was the first track Jade took for an EP. We just tried to follow the emotions you get when you chasing some one or getting chased. You can stumble, fall, loose the breath and get adrenalin of course. For us it doesn’t need some much sounds to show these emotions. The Chase is better than the catch.

I hope soon you will hear some great stuff we’re working on these days!

At DNB Magazine, we love album artwork. Trinyo Art did this EP and its dope. Anime like and I like it. What do you guys think and who made the edit with your dog on the motorcycle? We love it.

Yeah, we felt in love with this artwork. It is amazing job! That’s the one we’ve been waiting for so long!
Firstly we’ve been talking about the artwork with brother and giving each other the ideas how it will be done, the idea of artwork, which theme will be chosen. We’ve checked all the Eatbrain Artworks trying to get how it will be done. But after we got the first version – I even could speak – It was so awesome!

About the edit with the dog. That was Alexey. He did small clip for instagram just for fun. Our dog has too much energy for her small size so she always running through the studio on the hyperspeed and sometimes you have to chase her to get her out form the studio. He just added dog’s head on the artwork and put it through a few filters in Prisma iOS app. So basically edited artwork gives you a representation of our chase for dog in the studio.

Any other words?

We never forget styles we’ve been into, so there are a lot of new tracks to come! For us it’s really boring working only in one style so get ready for new music!

We thank Gancher & Ruin for their time to talk to us and know they will surely be a force to recon with in the future! Connect with them by clicking on their logo below!

https://soundcloud.com/gancherruin/

Featured Releases Neurofunk

The Concept of Munching Brains Piece by Piece

Post author By Alex Diode
Post date July 29, 2016

Segment & Concept Vision Roar through the galaxy!

Terminal has, once again, dropped some of the greatest of Neurofunk Drum & Bass this year. Eatbrain is releasing its latest EP staying true to the fact they surely know how to put forth great Drum & Bass. Segment & Concept Vision’s “Roar” EP is dropping this Monday and it is a top ten release without a doubt. We are ecstatic to hear some phenomenal music. We first heard the track “Hyperdrive” on UKF’s Soundcloud page and then shortly there after we were pleased to receive the promo drop in our email.

Our immediate reaction was of awe in the amount of bass that was coming through the speakers while not losing sight of the high end. Then, we said…. We must hear all of the tracks and in amazement the consistency was found! All of the tracks are well engineered, well written and rock so well. Our first favorite of the EP was Hyperdrive… This is a neurofunk track that is proof that neurofunk is real and not just a mix of tech-step and dark-step with filtered synths. With that said, our favorite track is now… The Thirst featuring Codex.

This track is deep! The is the brain munching type of neurofunk you’ll love. In the intro you can feel some great textures washing through the amen hits we were accustomed to when DNB first hit our ears. In the break down, the trio cooked up a smooth transition one that would ultimately bring you to the calm. It brings you to a center within yourself and slowly immerses you in the ether of reality! And while the drop the drop has a bass line you may feel is similar, the reverb vox style synth hit just brings you in! Yeah, We are on promo for this EP but it shall be bought by us and you shouldn’t wait! Make this a part of your set this coming Monday!

Listen to the full EP below!

Tags concept vision, eatbrain, neuro, neurofunk, segment

Label Interview Labels

Santoku Records lets us in!

Post author By Alex Diode
Post date July 22, 2016
1 Comment on Santoku Records lets us in!

DNB Magazine gets with Santoku Records.

Santoku Records is ran by Atlanta-based producer Logam. The Japanese word santoku loosley translates to “three virtues” or “three uses”. We have been watching Santoku for sometime and love their sound. From 2012 through today, Santoku has been releasing quality Drum & Bass. We took a minute to listen to some older music and you have got to listen to the liquid Drum & Bass track by Siebel “Theory of Colours” which reminds me of
stock file music that some with your DAW. Simply a classic sound all the way through to todays’ neurofunk sound such as the Mean Teeth’s “Transfixed” even through the harder sound of Space Journey’s “Disassemble” EP.

Our favorite EP has got to be the Aggressor Bunx “Gravity” EP. I feel this is some the artist’s best work and shows the quality of which Santoku is going to represent most.

There is no such thing as sleeping for Santoku Records

We recently got with label founder Thomas aka Logam (Ram Records) to talk about the label and its future.

Logam, first off thank you for taking out some time to talk to us about your latest release on Santoku. We are impressed with your track selection and can’t wait to see what you have in store. First off we’d like to know how’s it been and what you’ve got going on right now.

Ah you’re welcome man, thanks for inquiring. Things are going well with Santoku. Our latest just came out today and features 4 neurofunk smashers by Space Journey and so far it has received critical acclaim from some big names in the game.

We know you’re a Drum & Bass producer who has worked with Legion. Where do you find the time and how do you go about managing the label?

Yeah its tough, I basically barely sleep. In addition to running the label and producing my own tunes, I teach 40 hours a week at a Culinary School, play guitar in a band, and have a family. So I work on music and run the label inbetween all the other events that take place in my life which leaves little time for sleeping. It’s a sacrafice that I’ve been making for many years now so I suppose I am accustom to it.

We read on on your Facebook that you have tons in store for the rest of the year. Any hints on what is coming up and which artists?

Yes up next is going to be a remix of one of my solo tunes titled “Hypnotic” by Quadrant. The flip is by a newcomer out of Texas by the name of dLo. STill neurofunk but a bit more vibey than neuro. As far as forthcoming releases you can expect to see some tunes by VLTRN, Des McMahon, Equivalent, Foken, and Mean Teeth is working on a super sick EP which should be done soon. There are more big name remixes lined up as well but I will keep those on the hush hush for now 😉 The Signatures LP Vol 2 will be up very soon and I’m hoping to add some real gems to that too. Mostly focussing on newcomers at the moment as I want to help push their names more in the scene. There are a lot of talented producers out there who need to be heard.

As a label you must get tons of demo submissions. Any tips to producers what what Santonku likes to hear and put out? Also, what artists do you want us to watch out for in the next year?

I have a pretty wide taste but I’m a sucker for a good roller. If you listen to our current catalog I’d say it’s a pretty wide spectrum but primarily my tastes tend to lean towards the funk. Whether it be hard hitting neuro or minimal or some new hybrid I don’t care. As long as its funky and the mix is big and clean than we’re good to go. I will often make suggestions for improvements though so be prepared for that. The majors do it too. We just want the tunes to sound the best that they can and although it’s easy to get a little butthurt about it try not to. At the end of the day its just about making the best product possible which benefits everyone in the long run.

As far as artists to watch, definitely Mean Teeth and Space Journey. Hell really, all the names I mentioned above, I’m also a HUGE fan of A-Cray who really no longer needs any introduction but if you haven’t been paying attention you need to be.

Whats your favorite movie?

Oh that’s a tough one. There are too many and we haven’t even narrowed it down to a genre. I’m just going to go with a classic, Back to
the Future. For some reason, whenever it’s on I can always watch it. It’s just nostalgic. It’s great though; it never gets old to me. The music is perfect too; you can’t go wrong with Alan Silvestri.

Wrapping up

Black to the Future is surely a classic! Major thanks to Logam for hooking up with us. DNB Magazine very much appreciates it and cannot wait to see more.

If you want to hear more of the label check out Santoku Records. Also, We posted their soundcloud so you don’t have to go far to listen!

Neurofunk Reviews Techstep

Current Value comes again!

Post author By Alex Diode
Post date July 13, 2016
2 Comments on Current Value comes again!

Current Value is surely a force to recon with.

As we know, Current Value’s Drum & Bass is unlike any other. His tracks truly stand out in their creativity and surely in the production value. His tracks contain some of the nicest pads and then in to some gritty bass lines. Our favorite part of his production is the drums. Tim (Current Value) is one of the few who can distort their drums but keep them sounding clean & punchy. We are true fans of the Current Value sound.

Our friends at Terminal who are the collective label of Bad Taste, Meth Lab, and Eatrbain release the “Partition” EP this Friday 7/11/2016 on Beatport. Current Value surely is a pioneer in Drum & Bass and Terminal made a great selection for this EP. This EP brings it all. From grime through to some sick distorted synths. We must say this EP is great.

Keeping it Balanced:

“Balanced Armature” is our favorite track on the “Partition” EP. This track starts of with some simple tight drums with a great atmospheric pad in the background and then it grows to add some rides and hats that are so fitting to the track and Current Value style. What gets us is the synths. OMG The synths! We love that retro rave style glitching stab. When the track drops it brings you in so deep. Deep into concentration, deep into the mental vortex spun from the womb of a galactic spider threading together our very existence. The distortion on the bass is so nice, it keeps the bass deep. The second drop is where its at! Its simple and adds some filters sweeps of the main synth… You must hear this song! While its not your typical dance floor banger, it truly does justice to the term “neuro.”

Have a listen to the full EP below and don’t hesitate to buy this EP.

Tags bad taste, current value, eatbrain, meth lab, neurofunk, terminal

Featured Releases Music Neurofunk Techstep

Phace lights it up!

Phace is one of our favorite producers. His music is literally out of this world. His imprint Neosignal puts out some of the greatest electronic Drum & Bass. It seems like everything this guy does is awesome. Phace has been busy as usual and ever improving his sound. This year he started off being featured on Current Value’s Biocellulous LP on Critical Music, DNB Arena’s LP, and on the infamous Shogun Audio label. He also released one of our favorite tracks this year. This is the kind of track that, to us, will test the sands of time. Like a pyramid, this is a massive collassal musical composition that’s beautifully written and engineered. To simplify that, “Lit Up” on the So Excited release is AMAZING!

This track starts off reminding me of some Justice electro sounding synth and then it begins to build with the vocal sample and some techy synth. This track continues to build ever so heavily and the rise comes in. All her systems are certainly lit as the drop blows us through the walls, down to the basement through the Earth’s core and then Stewart through the opposite end through a wormhole riding an anvil of bass slamming against the walls of the fabric of space-time!

I know this track can be the “B-Side” of the release but we like it so much it needed to get a standing ovation once again. After releasing Mefjus’ Blitz EP, Neosignal shows that there is still more out there and the bar will continually be raised. Mefjus is hard to compare to but Phace brings it right everytime. The bass line in Lit Up is what we love most and haven’t let it go since it’s release on June 24. Lit Up was able to stay in the Top 100 for some time and the release hit #1 on the Beatport Charts.
With that said… check out this #dnbmagapproved Featured Release:

Featured Releases Neurofunk Techstep

Santoku cutting through the scene with the nastiness!

Post author By Alex Diode
Post date July 11, 2016
1 Comment on Santoku cutting through the scene with the nastiness!

One of USA’s most respectable labels run by Ram Records artist, Logam, just released an EP by Space Journey on the Santoku Records imprint. Space Journey has been on a roll this year releasing with labels such as Warfare, Schedule One, Close 2 Death, and Abducted LTD reaching top 100 and dj charts around. This EP however should bring the artist further into the Drum & Bass seen. Santoku is known for putting out quality Drum & Bass such as artists Gridlok, Mayhem, Trei, Eatbrain’s Jade, Aggressor Bunx, and more.

Aeon is a perfect realisation of this – a slowly building tune which expands at the drop, firing lazers into the future with a combination of pulsating drums and eerie, echoing synths. The bass is bad, bad, bad, deep, dark and heavy. The track moves through, highlighting the single-minded approach that Space Journey takes, ramping back up at the end for a killer finish. Likewise the title cut, which explodes into life quickly, echoing the march of some supersonic race of robots. Here, the low end crunches into your speakers, burning a hole in your set before you even realise. Bounce and break along to the beats, you won’t be disappointed as your mind and soul get Disassembled.

Jump on the Motorcycle for the third track, a rapid trip into the future which incorporates elements of electro along with the nasty sounding neurofunk. Plenty of pace and acceleration mark this one out, as it rides along on a highway of vicious synth stabs and understated beats. Closing things out is The Lost, a fitting culmination to the EP. Voyage through realms of artificial intelligence, with military beats, echoing basslines and a sharp, coruscating atmosphere. Space Journey is clearly a name to watch despite being relatively new, and the Disassemble EP is the start of something very big.

https://soundcloud.com/spacejourneyofficial/sets/space-journey-disassemble-ep

Tags aggressor bunx, neuro, neurofunk, santoku, space journey, spacejourneydnb

Artist Interviews Featured Releases Neurofunk

You can’t run fast enough!

Post author By Alex Diode
Post date July 8, 2016
2 Comments on You can’t run fast enough!

The Chase EP — Rancher & Ruin "The Chase" EP on Eatbrain Records.

Gancher & Ruin bring forth a monster of an EP on Eatbrain

Eatbrain is known for putting out some bangers. We were left wanting more from the Machine Code album sampler because we know the album is going to be massive. In order to keep us happy while we wait, Eatbrain brings to us a monster of an EP from Russian twins Gancher & Ruin. First off we want to thank Terminal for the promo shot and must say, DNB Magazine listens to a lot of Drum & Bass and Eatbrain continues to put forth quality neurofunk!

We break it down:

“The Chase” EP is no different. The quality is superb and the music is great. We prefer EPs to show variation amongst the music and this EP doesn’t meet that preference but still totally destroys us at DNB Magazine. We must say “Dragonfly” stands out to us as our favorite right now. That drop is what happens when Russian Crossbreed producers take a whiff of some Jump Up while destroying the Neurofunk dance floor. We love this one! “I don’t care who you are but they will. I’m going to rob them of hope.” That sample is so sick. Boom, the drop and that “OhhWoauh” Bass sound! Talk about what good can be done when you have some jump up influence. Then the break down is so simple but the atmosphere rocks. We used to love when Gancher & Ruin worked with Panacea, Receptor, Cooh, but man… I don’t want to hear that anymore. I want more Gancher & Ruin.

The title track “The Chase” rolls as well. “Hunt them down!” That sample in the low pitch tone gets me ready for the ride of a lifetime. Then the switch in the track makes me feel like I’m driving in the movie “Tron.” I’m weaving through glowing pixels at light speed full of rage as my bike goes from the neon blue to hot red ready to destroy my objective. This is “RACING!” We love this track. Sometimes as producers we focus on listening to the production quality but this track doesn’t give the time to do so! With that said, the quality of this track is fitting to Eatbrain who only puts out the best in Neurofunk music. We love it.

RELEASE INFORMATION:

Gancher & Ruin (feat. Jade)

The Chase EP
Eatbrain
Release Dates:
Beatport Release: 11.07.2016
Worldwide Release: 28.07.2016

More to come as we talk with Gancher & Ruin!

Have a Listen:

https://soundcloud.com/eatbrain/sets/eatbrain027-gancher-ruin-the

From the Label’s Press Release:

Shades of orange bathe the streets in the neon glow of night. Under the artificial dome of the city, light from the dense urban landscape wraps itself against the overwhelming facades of towering habitats and server blocks, intermingling at the edges of imperceptible alleyways shrouded in darkness only broken by the flickering nocturnal emblems of deep night haunts of sleaze and virtual hedonism. The twins are at home here, every edge of the city mapped in their hybrid cerebellum, connected exquisitely with inter-dimensional technology stolen from the most intimate grasp of the AI governing the sprawl. Shattering the silence of the night with the abrasive roar of refined combustion and the precisely engineered mechanisms of their vehicles, the streets fly beneath them – acting as one, every corner taken with nothing to spare, utterly in the present – surgeons of the moment. The drones giving chase have no chance, unable to compensate for the perfectly calculated errors of humanity, every recalibration coming too late – THE CHASE is relentless and swift … the immaculate pair vanish into the dense depths of the labyrinthine underworld with their haul of sonic artifacts.

Tags eatbrain, gancher & ruin, neuro, neurofunk