Category: Neurofunk

Neurofunk

Neurofunk (also known more informally as just neuro) is a subgenre of drum and bass which emerged between 1997 and 1998 in London, England as a progression of techstep. It was further developed by juxtaposed elements of heavier and harder forms of funk with multiple influences ranging from techno, house and jazz, distinguished by consecutive stabs over the bassline and razor-sharp backbeats. The first sounds of neurofunk’s early evolution – when diverging from techstep – can be heard on Ed Rush and Optical‘s Funktion single for V Recordings in 1997 and on their first album Wormhole for Virus Recordings in 1998.

The first mention of the term was in the book Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture by Simon Reynolds.[1] This is where the English music critic coined the name as a result of his personal perception of stylistic shifts in techstep – back beats replacing breakbeats, funk harmonies replacing industrial timbres and lack of emphasis on the drop – by referring to them as, “(Neurofunk) is the fun-free culmination of jungle’s strategy of cultural resistance: the eroticization of anxiety”.

Categories
Featured Releases Neurofunk Reviews Techstep

MachineCode LP #DNBMAGApproved

MachineCode - Mechtropolis LP - Eatbrain
MachineCode - Mechtropolis LP - Eatbrain

mclogoMachineCode comes through.

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
MachineCode – Mechtropis LP

The Delivery

MC Coppa
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!

Categories
Artist Interviews Featured Releases Interviews Neurofunk

Maztek On the Eatbrain Grind

Maztek - Grinder Interview
Maztek - Grinder Interview

maztekMaztek “Grinder” EP on Eatbrain is Amazing

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)
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!)

 

 

Categories
Neurofunk NeuroHop Techstep

Glados EP Represents

Glados EP (Inspected)
Glados EP (Inspected)

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.

 

 

Categories
Featured Releases Neurofunk NeuroHop Techstep

Long Awaited Noisia Album LEAKED

Noisia "Outer Edges" LP

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…

noisiahead

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.

Categories
Featured Releases Neurofunk

The Concept of Munching Brains Piece by Piece

Segment & Concept Vision - Roar EP
Segment & Concept Vision - Roar EP

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!

 

 

Categories
Neurofunk Reviews Techstep

Current Value comes again!

Current Value
Current Value

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. 

 

Categories
Featured Releases Music Neurofunk Techstep

Phace lights it up!

Phace
Phace "So Excited"

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:

Categories
Featured Releases Neurofunk Techstep

Santoku cutting through the scene with the nastiness!

Space Journey
Space Journey "Disassemble" EP Santoku Reccords

Space-Journey-Head-Shot-RightOne 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

 

 

Categories
Artist Interviews Featured Releases Neurofunk

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:

“Tcoverhe 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.

Categories
Dancefloor Smashers Featured Releases Jump Up Neurofunk

Whoa! Swing steppin’ neuro!

My favourite studio food is crumbs from all the pizza I buy Malux which he drops on the floor. – Crissy Criss

HA! Love it! RAM Records does it again and releases another bad, bad, bad tune. Crissy Criss, Malux, & Erb N Dub team up on the latest Program Music release. Blizzard and Wonky stick drop to the dance floor music. We absolutely dig the Wonky track. This is swing-step at its best. If you are a DJ looking to keep the crowd flowing through the middle of your set. This is the track! You can literally listen to the whole think and not want to mix another track in. So much respect for the jump up feel on this one. The A-Side of this release is “Blizzard” which is that high paced neurofunk sounding badmanness. Seriously a great track and you’ll be glad to mix this in with some Inside Info, Mefjus, Noisia’s “Program”. Stick with it though. That switch in the drop is so good! We kinda wish that was the main drop. Ever spill, dope release and a massive big ups to RAM and their Program imprint.

 

Check out the track and the interview as found on RAMrecords.com:

You have a collaboration coming out together on Program – how did this come about? And how did you meet each other? Was there a certain track you’d heard from another member of the group which made you want to work with them? 
Erb N Dub –
We met each other through other music projects we were already working on. We decided to start making dnb together at my studio in Kent. Straight away we started knocking out the monsters.
Malux –
I met Pete (Erb N Dub) through my other music projects and we’d been working together for a while before we started drum n bass. I’ve known about Criss for a while and was originally into his dubstep earlier on. I always like collaborating, so when Pete suggested we all get in the studio I was really keen!
Crissy Criss –
Yeah pretty much what Erb N Dub said, I met Malux through Erb N Dub who’d been working with him for some time. I heard some of Malux’s tracks and was blown away so I knew we all had to do at least one track together which has now being released on Program.

You’ve worked together before previously, on tracks such as ‘Krokodil’. How do you find the group’s dynamic works? And what do you think each member brings to the table?
Erb N Dub –
Malux is the sound design guy. He’s got some serious skills in that department. Crissy brings his dance floor head to the table. It’s easy to get lost in technical skills and forget about the dance floor.
I like writing intros, drums, arrangement and whatever else I can throw into the pot!
Malux – 
We have written a lot of tracks together and each one is different. But generally I make a lot of the bass. Me and Pete work on drums a lot together as well as some of the bass. Crissy’s always got loads of ideas on his laptop so we’re always sending stuff back and forth. But when writing a track were all in the same room working together. We always take a bunch of ideas each of us have done and let the others mess with them.
Crissy Criss –
Pretty much the same again, I’m gigging every week so I point the track we’re working on in the direction I know is going to work if I play it out and then hopefully smash the dance floor. Malux is a beast at programming so when he hits the hot seat I can check my emails and Erb N Dub just makes tea that I don’t even drink.

You’re all from different parts of the world. Did you have a set way of working or a routine to make sure your tracks are finished? Were you all in a studio together, or were you sending files back and forth online?
Erb N Dub –
We all meet up in the studio and go in. We are not precious about any role or track. We are making dnb neuro bangers for the clubs. Club bangers are our focus!
Malux – 
Always in the room. I find there’s a much better dynamic that way. Everyone pushing each other forward.
Crissy Criss –
Usually I find turning up in my bath robe my missus bought me for Christmas usually sets the vibe right and we get down to business from there. I’m basically doing everything, they just turn up to use the Wi-Fi and FaceTime their girlfriends.

How do you think your different backgrounds affected the way you produced together? And what were you doing individually before you decided to produce together?
Erb N Dub –
We all bring something different to the table. Individually we were working on music and gigging.
Malux –
We each have a different take on drum and bass and I think that comes across in our music. I work on a non dnb (but still similar sounds) project called Skope which is my first musical venture but launching Malux has been a high priority and I have lots more solo music I’ve written which is on its way.
Crissy Criss –
Recently I’ve been doing quite a lot of dance floor remixes and writing crossover / radio friendly tracks plus a lot of gigging across the globe so I get a real good taste for what goes down where. After I’ve done a few days of that I’m ready unleash some nastiness with the boys down at the studio.

Are you planning to work together again in the future? And what are your plans individually; anymore releases in the pipeline?
Erb N Dub –
Of course we have a great chemistry and a lot of music to finish!
Malux –
Yep. Lots!
Crissy Criss –
I can’t cope anymore, never again…
I’ve got a huge chunk of my own solo music which I’m currently finishing off for my own label ‘Machine Made’. I have a brand new single coming end of July which features ‘Wide Awake’ and then obviously a huge chunk of tracks with Erb N Dub and Malux which you NEED to watch out for because.. Mate, it’s absolutely slammin!

And lastly, what are your individual studio set ups? Could you shoot us a gear list? On an average day, how do you like to work and what studio snacks do you always have to hand? 
Erb N Dub –
This is a long one lol. But I’ll just list the main gear.
Hardware –
Neumann Kh310a Monitors, Various Mac Pros, Apogee Ensemble, Ableton Push, Yamaha DX, Custom Acoustic Drums, Various Mics and Pre Amps, UAD Satellite, Novation Midi Keyboard, Yamaha DTX 750 Drums, Yamaha DXR PA system, Moog Prodigy, Pioneer Nexus CDJ’s, Pioneer DJM 850, Bluesky monitors and sub… I’ll leave it at that.

Software –
Cubase 8.5, Ableton 9, Native Instruments Komplete, UAD etc etc

I like to get in the studio from early and work long days. My favourite studio food is tuna!

Malux –
I run ableton on Mac. Use Adam a7x speakers with sub. Hardware – Sherman filter bank. Lexicon multi fx unit. Kaos pad. Yamaha dx synth. RNC compressor. Software – NI, fab filter, izotope, waves.
I like to work fast with lots of coffee!

Crissy Criss –
I have a few studios, one just consists of my Macbook Pro and my lap awaiting a connection flight in a packed airport terminal. The other is in the middle nowhere on royal land which I share with Unorthodox, Sammy Porter and Disciples so I get a good mixture of music around me at all times where I can draw influences from.
I’m mostly on board with everything I use, currently using Reason 9 with quite a few Rack Extensions and also CuBase 8.5 and a bit of Studio One here and there. Rokit 4s / 5s / 8s, Yamaha HS8’s, Saffire Pro 40, Novation Bass Station 2, Moog Phatty, shit load of Behringer rack gear and a load more i can’t remember jammed packed into my studio haha.

My favourite studio food is crumbs from all the pizza I buy Malux which he drops on the floor.