Chestplate UK At Juno Download

Review: For the 14th release on Chestplate, label boss Distance gets murky and menacing with this sumptuous four-track venture into bass music. Opening track "Drawn" is a synth heavy number, with crackling SFX, smacking drums and a heavy, lethargic dragging bassline. "Knowing" is another gruelling cut with bubbling bass, snapping snares and metallic SFX, which leads into the title track "Meanstreak" - a whomping, dancefloor driven beast with mid range belches and squelchy flavours. "Mind Control" completes the EP with a more traditional Distance cut - punishing subs, eerie vocal samples and sludgy b-line in abundance. Brilliant.

Review: For some rock/dubstep crossover, look no further than Distance's latest, "Menace". Hearing a solid wall of 'steppy bass processed to sound like a heavy metal guitar, you'll think that Eddie Van Halen has suddenly started leasing a flat in Croydon. It's a strange combination, but it works somehow as it riffs along like a wonky Sepultura. In total contrast, "Beyond" is an atmospheric, almost ambient dubstep adventure, with a flute taking the lead instead of metal-imitating bass. A single of wild extremes, these two tunes certainly demand a listen.

Review: Another sterling release here, courtesy of Distance's Chestplate imprint as Razor Rekta steps up with two bonafide dubstep bangers, plus a digital bonus track to boot! Take note. First up we have the exceptional "Loko-Motiv", which is all slow, swaggering beats, with smashing snares echoing in a deep, dark soundscape full of echoes, pools of treacle-like bass and low end shudders. "Development" continues the narrative with thunderous bass wobbles which reverberate ominously for the duration, whilst an eerie melody hovers above. This is meditative, bass-driven dubstep at it's very best. Play on a big rig and soak up the sounds.

Review: Another top-notch release from Distance's immense Chestplate imprint, this time from the one they call Sleeper. "Zombies" is every bit as scary as the name might imply - a post-apocalyptic, industrial soundscape dominated by spaced out SFX, sweeping atmospherics and gruesome, stabbing drums and a dense, pummelling b-line. "Scanners" progresses from a tense, uncertain intro into a rolling, menacing little number, with tripping beats and grouchy bass. Digital exclusive "Narrow" wraps up the package with chirpy SFX and plenty of growling sub bass.

Review: Sleeper & District join forces for a bass-driven trip into dubstep's darkest caverns. First up, the title track is all eerie echoes and tense SFX with humming bass and synth warps adding even more of an ominous overtone. "Zero Day" lurches around drunkenly with stabbing snares and groaning, creaking bass with powerful subs underpinning the piece. "Transitions" is a spaced-out venture with sci fi SFX and thudding smacking drums which echo in the darkened soundscape. "Colony" brings the EP to a close with razor sharp snares, booming sub bass and murmuring atmospheric unease.