Review: Bristol's Don't Be Afraid, proudly helmed by the experienced DJ Semtek, is fast becoming one of our go-to imprints, and is arguably in the running for label of the year. Each new release is more finessed and mature than the next, and Semtek is quickly introducing us to a whole new selection of artists. This time, it's the Dyad duo that make an appearance on the label, and their cold, steely strain of techno is a perfect way to bring in the Autumnal months. Ben Gibson and Fundamental Interaction are the two producers behind this project, and this is the first time that they branch out from their self-titled DYAD imprint. "Illumine" is a fast, kick-driven techno missile with a spiralling set of sonics at its core, while "Oblique" takes a darker, more barren approach to its thumping 4/4; it's one which instantly calls to the warehouse, and the sort of material one drops as the clock hits 5am. Sick.
Review: Reading UK: Taking the mantel from Croydon as a concrete-clad hotbed of low end creativity, both DyAD and Lifesines have enjoyed great releases runs in their own rights. Having teamed together for "Scarlette" over a year ago, its pulsating, physical, molten metal sounds are finally available for us common DJ folk. It's not alone; DyAD's "Mesian" takes us down a spooked out late night graveyard stroll before inviting us into the ring on his Basscatz & Balkansky remix... Watch out for the kick drum rabbit punches and sweeping roundhouse atmosphere licks. It's a knock out.
Review: Rising up through the ranks of the digital dubstep world, Dyad are a Reading-based duo with a score of high-end productions behind them and now they've made their way on to Macabre Unit's own label with a gnarly four-track EP of enhanced floor wreckers for those who like their beats sci-fi. From the low-riding punch of the title track through to the high-flying tech-step tones of "Fear is A Choice", the production levels never dip for a moment while balancing a necessary menace with some pleasant melodic ingenuity. Check "Incept" for a more raucous grind-out, while "Resist" brings some choppy sounds to the table but really all four tracks come from the same mentality of dynamic, face-contorting dubstep for the modern age.
Review: Nottingham's Outbound tends to leapfrog from label to label but here he returns to his place of origin, Sub:Conscious. It's his biggest EP for a while too, boasting four tracks bursting with cinematic menace. Highlights include the growling dark alley vibes of the title track (a collaboration with DyAD & Lifesines), the dubbed out reggae haze of "24" and the twitchy, percussive "Ghifasy' - a collaboration with Karnage & Mark IV, which combines breathy synth pads and shimmering piano tinkles.
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