Review: From the onset Modestep make their intentions know with a sample of an expletive Bricktop cussing over the top of roaring dubstep bassline and classical, orchestral movements in "Damien". Teddy Killerz adds some stadium rock to the album on "Make You Mine", while "Machines" is a roaring slice grungy electro. By their standards, things are more minimal in "On Our Own" - a track which brings to mind older Pendulum - and "Feel Alive" is the best amalgamation on disparate music styles we've heard. Tackle the rest at your own peril.
Review: Eatbrain are stepping into darker territory over on the Hungarian Eatbrain imprint with their Negative Thoughts EP, a release that brings in elements of the Neurofunk sound within the context of nightmares, that feeling of sleep without your eyes closed, the creeping sense that you need to drift off but the foreboding feeling that unconsciousness is out of your reach. 'Shinkjuko' is a highlight, with a deeply rolling and fluctuating bassline that injects both funkiness and heaviness in equal measure, an impact topped off with some wicked synth work. Shout out to the teddy bear crew!
Review: Teddy Killerz are the cute, furry-faced bastions of horror and they've teamed up with the Eatbrain crew for this full-throttle display of dastardly sound design, monstrous bass construction and downright disgusting choonage. 'Vibe' is our favourite of the two, with a drum line that's constantly shifting and morphing across different patterns and punchy synth stabs, it's sharp on all edges and fiercely no-nonsense. The rest of the tines pack even more energy and it's what we've come to expect from all parties involved in this sick little single.
Review: Everyone's favourite stuffed animals are back on Eatbrain with an unsurprisingly fiery EP. Teddy Killerz just pack a certain type of craziness into their music that lends itself superbly to Budapest-based Eatbrain, their tendency for super-charged basslines and raucous percussive force fitting in well with the Central European neurofunk powerhouse. Chopping Machines fits a diverse range of dancefloor sounds into five tracks; 'Chop It' features an astoundingly solid back end; 'Chopping Machines' carries a dystopic prescence with its gargling synths; and 'Afrika' delves into deeper territory with a roving sense of travel. Another top EP from the boys.
Review: Ahead of their highly anticipated album Nightmare Street, menacing Russian genre-melters Teddy Killerz throw a left hook with this savage one tracker: classic neuro rolls, multi-layered bass textures, orchestral stabs, a dynamic second drop and a killer sample comprise to ensure this goes down strictly at peaktime and power hours. Absolute filth.
Review: Hello! Currently smashing the jacksy out of the drum & bass scene with releases on on Bad Taste, the Russian duo prove, once again, that a stupid name doesn't mean stupid music. In fact these are so good, they fizz with the textbook tear-out breakbeat mischief Hardcore Beats first became renowned for. "The Exorcist" is the true buzz-cut. Sprung with a classic drum roll, the bass mutters all sorts of sonic swearwords into your sweet innocent ears as an eerie topline weaves a psy-like web above you. "Busted" is more your chubby bass-blusterer while "Dysfunction" takes a drive down 4/4 electro-tech drive. Naughty.
Review: Massive new label launch! The phenomenal Russian Neuropunk podcast (which regularly clocks up over a milli views per show) has elevated into label mode with Teddy Killerz' Garud and Gydra's Bes at the helm. This massive three tracker launches this significant moment in Russian drum & bass with one collaboration and two solo workouts; the Gydra/Teddy Killerz collab "Miles High" takes the lead with its screaming turbine energy and rocket blasting riffs, it's followed by a heads down roller from the furry fire handlers before Gydra close the set with the subverted rave hammer "No Kidding" where a punctuated bassline does some serious pounding before a dreamy breakdown unfolds... Just like the bright future of this label. Go ahead Neuropunks, make our day!
