Serum At Juno Download

Review: Serum steps up for a seriously bass-heavy release on Ray Keith's infamous Dread Recordings. It's deadly by name, deadly by nature in the title track, as a tense, trembling string section in the intro gives way to an iconic vocal sample, and then the tune drops into a sub bass booming fray with gently ticking breaks and a deadening sense of foreboding. Accompanying this is "Prototype" with its menacing snares, eerie SFX and punishing bass wobbles, it's a track for the true D+B soldier. Approach with caution!

Review: V Recordings continue to deliver the magic and this next release from Serum is no exception. "Horn Track" begins with shimmying, chiming tones and juddering drums and falls into an out and out belter with a dense soundscape full of pounding drumwork, booming bass and hissing hi-hats in abundance with the iconic, jingling melody coming in and out of focus. "Strings Tune" comes with this and continues to weave a similar pattern with pummelling beats, roaring bassweight and plenty of weighty, speaker-wobbling prowess.

Review: Following hot on the heels of the first EP, "Serum On Dread" Part 2 makes a glossy appearance on the virtual shelves of Ray Keith's legendary Dread Recordings. Serum is a staunch favourite of the jungle revivalists and here "Ammo Dump" gets things started with a shimmy of whirring bass, crunchy breaks and menacing lyrics, appearing again as an "alternative mix" later, before "Only A Dream" takes over with its bouncy punches, churning SFX and rolling riddims. "Dub A Dread (VIP mix)" is a classic rave horn, jungle tootin' classic with pattering breaks and raucous SFX in a Serial Killaz style, while "Shaolin" is a bonafide bassline rumbler.

Review: You can always rely on Serum to bring the original jungle flavours. This splendid five track EP kicks off with "Dub Dread" - a deep, dubbed out cut with Rasta-riled riddims and crisp, crunchy drum rolls a-plenty. "Computerised" pairs futuristic swooping SFX with ragga vocal snippets for a more interesting ride into the wilderness, with eerie synth lines and booming bass. Up next, we have Serum on VIP duties for "Girls Dem Want It" - a swooning intro falls into a classic roller, with echoing vocals and heavy subs, before "Sing Time" kicks in with its rattling breaks and hollow soundscape and "Special Technique" finishes things up with a flourish of grouchy bass weight.

Review: The oft collaboration partner of erstwhile jungle revivalist Bladerunner goes solo for this release on Bryan Gee's V Records. Skittering breaks wrestle with accelerating bass grinds and occasional Clipz-esque progressions in the pounding "Twin Blades". The track is broken up by the occasional crooning vocal snippet but for the most part is dominated by relentless percussion and thumping ten-tonne drum kicks. In contrast, "New Era" sees the return of the aforementioned Bladerunner for a much punchier, darker incantation, full of cinematic SFX, rumbling subs and a grouchy bassline.