Category: Music

Release information

Categories
Techstep

War brings you that Invisible Battle

War "Invisible" EP
War "Invisible" EP

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

 

 

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
Label Interview Labels

Santoku Records lets us in!

DNB Magazine gets with Santoku Records.

Logo

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!

 

 

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 Liquid

Take a Breath of Fresh Oxygen

Fred V & Grafix
Artwork for Fred V & Grafix "Oxygen" LP on Hostpital Records

Fred V & Grafix give you their refreshing “Oxygen” LP.

 

We can start off by saying that Fred V & Grafix are a great duo. Their production quality and creativity along with there melodic impression on the liquid sound is amazing. When you start the album you are impressed but as it goes on you get absolutely blown away. This music is what summer is all about. That morning drive vibe and the setting sun mood, these tracks poise a true testament to the ability Fred V & Graffix possesses to connect with the listener.

Oxygen dropped on June 24 on Hospital Records and since then has done nothing but make an impact. This kind of music emulates synth pop in the DNB atmosphere while staying try to England’s Liquid sound. All of the vocals are properly fit to each track and allow you to connect even further with great lyrics. Tracks like “Together We’re Lost” featuring Frank Fraise & Tone touch us at DNB MAGAZINE. The rap lyrics are so dope. Then the vocal hook drops and with that familiar wobble 7th bass just hits us well. Fred V & Grafix, we were fans before but you brought us in further.

Have a listen via the Hospital Records SoundCloud page. Dont hesitate to buy here!

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.

Categories
Dancefloor Smashers Jump Up Liquid Neurofunk

On the Wheel of Red Rock

Loadstar back with another great release!

Check out the latest from Loadstar on RAM Records. “Red Rock” is the latest melodic dance floor track definitely suited to captivate the masses in the wee hours of the night while “On the Wheels” is the absolute dance floor smasher. Loadstar always comes correct and this release is no different.

https://soundcloud.com/loadstar/loadstar-red-rock

https://soundcloud.com/loadstar/on-the-wheels