Metalheadz At Juno Download

Review: Now this is a very interesting release... Metalheadz have unleashed this with a statement that raises an eyebrow at the dubstep-loving D&B cognoscenti and a reminder that Amit has been bashing out half tempo D&B for nigh-on a decade now. These two dubby joints prove his skills in the area, and tick completely different boxes in the process. "Killer Driller" punches with a gritty, tonked up Massive Attack / Tricky style skank and vocals spat by the very Devil himself while "Color Blind" is a much more melancholic love affair with traditional dub. A noteworthy move by D&B dons Metalheadz, and a killer message (literally).

Review: Despite releasing enough singles to fill a small set of IKEA Expedit shelves, Cambridge D&B duo Commix have been pretty slow on the uptake when it comes to albums. So far, they've only released one original full-length, Call To Mind - a pleasing set that won many plaudits on its release in 2007. Curiously, this second full-length is not a new album per se, but rather a collection of previously unreleased cuts recorded between 2003 and 2008. It is, though, a superb set, perfectly showcasing their brand of melodic, musically inclined drum and bass. As ever, the beats are loose, organic and snare heavy, the basslines hooky and the melodies sparkling, offering a near perfect balance of dancefloor chops and home listening nous. Highly recommended.

Review: Featured on Marky's recent Fabriclive 55 mix, this solo single sees the ineffable Cambridge-based Commix duo on fine, fine form. Their recent forays into techno have garnered much attention of late, but this proves that the boys are not neglecting their D&B either. "Double Double" builds from an eerie intro, full of anticipation into the main tune, which is dominated by terse breaks, thudding drum kicks and echoing vocal snatches. There are tense, toying synths and enormous subs rumbling ominously below, making for a compelling listen from start to finish.

Review: The man otherwise known as Darren White, previously one third of Bad Company, and now Exit label boss, Autonomic pioneer and legend within is own right, is back with more musical badness, this time on Goldie's Metalheadz imprint. "The Little Things" is a deep, brooding number with heartfelt vocal, razor sharp beats and warm, throbbing bas, full of that late night, stripped back sound he has become famous for. "Cornered" builds from a sparse intro into a quirky tribal roller with undulating bassline, powerful sub bass grumblings and a curious, stuttering beat and chopped up vocal snatch. Highly recommended.

Review: A tidy three track EP from the Metalheadz camp, The Genesis EP kicks off with Horizon's regular Data going in on the deep, minimal vibes with ticking beats, impassioned breathy vocal and tense, metallic chimes. Bournemouth duo Ulterior Motive team up with old friend and Critical hot shot FD for "All That We Are", combining their considerable skills for this stripped back, minimal/tech roller, with crisp breaks and a foreboding undertone. Finishing up with "Feeder" - incidentally Kiat's debut on Metalheadz - it's over and out on an experimental tip, with a bleepy melody bubbling over curious SFX and deep, murmuring b-line below. One for the headz.

Review: A very special release here from the Ulterior Motive boys as they go in on Future Cut's "Obsession" with considerable aplomb. A glorious six and a half minutes of D&B wizardry ensue so ready yourselves, ladies and gentlemen. The iconic, polished vocal dominates the intro before the track falls into the drop with a flurry of metallic beats, low slung groans and industrial quivers. For the most part the original is twisted up to just the right the level - aggressive twists and edits add weight, whilst rumbling subs add depth and punch. This one's a must have, no question.

Review: Marking the 100th release on the legendary Metalheadz imprint, label boss Goldie steps up with this iconic release. "Freedom" incorporates stunning vocals from protege Natalie Duncan and breathes fresh life into the contemporary D&B scene, by pairing swooning instrumentals with punchy, rattling jungle breaks, pulsating bass and plenty of empowering atmospheric sweeps, all the while maintaining a unique vision. The accompanying video is worth a watch too, depicting Goldie escaping from closed walls and entering an enlightened state. Don't miss out on this one!

Review: Long-term collaborators J Majik & Wickaman make a triumphant return on Goldie's seminal D&B label, Metalheadz. The low slung, murmuring utterance "Ritual" marks no less than the 93rd release on Metalheadz; spaced out atmospherics are paired with terse breaks, underpinned by a humming bassline and disarming vocal contribution. "Old Headz" harks back to the golden era with rolling breaks, evocative cooing vocal and rumbling, rolling bass, which should send shivers down the spine of any true junglist. Deeply compelling from start to finish, this sums up Metalheadz's musicality and dancefloor compatibility to the tee. Amen!

Review: Metalheadz unleash four powerful and atmospheric D&B steppers courtesy of Jubei and his collaborations with SPY and Dbridge. The "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained EP" is an assault on the sense from the word go.

"Carbon" is a bouncy number that is all about the hardstep snares and heavy swabs of bass. The breakdowns are atmospheric with the synths that hint at its arrival taking over the soundscape for those short moments. "Alignment," the second solo effort from Jubei here, sees old school sounding pads joining cruising, moody bass and contorting breaks. It is an entirely bass heavy track that sounds almost ambient if it wasn?t for those huge breaks. However, there are a wide range of emotions embedded into this track with what is actually a minimal range of sounds. SPY joins Jubei for the rattling, jump up track, "Project 1." Keeping things rather uncomplicated until the breakdown, we come out the other side amid dense sound layers and hectic FX.

Finishing the release, Dbridge is the collaborator on "Patience." Arguably the finest track on here, "Patience" has a haunting atmosphere created by ominous sub bass, spooky synths and agile warehouse syncopations. Sticking to it?s genre?s name, aside from the occasional FX, this tune is simply drums and bass. Nowhere is that more apparent than at the drop following the echoed breakdown in the middle. That sentiment seems to mark the ethos of the whole EP. A return to simple, undiluted drum & bass comes from Jubei in what has been a difficult year for the genre.

Review: Having done the rounds on the DJ circuit for a long while now, Jubei's "Patience VIP" finally sees the light of day on Goldie's legendary Metalheadz imprint, backed with a super slick Boddika mix of "Alignment". The original starts with a yearning vocal snatch courtesy of Exit Records boss dBridge and progresses into a tune dominated by rattling breaks, hissing percussion, chiming SFX and the unnerving sound of a blade being sharpened on a stone. Boddika reworks the accompanying "Alignment" into a cool, fidgeting Pearson Sound-meets-Addison Groove style venture which is just downright delectable.

Review: Widely regarded in the D&B scene as the "new Marka", Jubei's next single on Metalheadz certainly is something special. Featuring the lyrical prowess of Flowdan, the track centres around a terrifying, turbo-charged bassline and razor-sharp, snapping breaks with eerie, metallic SFX coming in and out of focus in the distance. The raw, aggressive, streetwise vocal packs a punch and accentuates all the individual elements of the track, calling "heartless / cold blooded / hungry..." The whole track is rife with tension, aggression, menace and emotion. Check the video for a great visual portrayal of the piece.

Review: The king of lush, dancefloor-driven liquid returns with a sparkling example of what it means to be Lenzman. A lightfooted canter through a bright landscape of widescreen atmospherics and tight percussion, his classic electronic keys remain intact as "Empty Promise" rushes on, pushing towards making that dream of an endless summer a reality. Makoto proves himself as one of the scene's brightest talents once more with a flawless remix of Lenzman's club favourite "Broken Dreams". Expect thousands to be humming that chorus as soon as the sun comes out: "I choose you baby, I choose you."