Launched back in mid-2017, Bites is a fresh, forward-thinking drum & bass imprint with a laser focus on the very best in new, upcoming talent. Spearheaded by jump up stalwarts Majistrate and Nu Elementz, the imprint has gone from strength to strength since its inception as sister-label to Maji’s Sweet Tooth Recordings, providing release after release of pinpoint, full-frontal 174 ammunition. Cementing itself as a multi-pronged launching pad and thriving hotbed for expressive, dancefloor-primed sonics that are perfectly moulded for the bassbins, all manner of producers have added to the ever-popular Bites catalogue, including fan-favourites K Motionz, Tsuki, Slipz and Klip & Outlaw, and more recently heavyweights Disrupta, Magenta, Tesen, Vital, Banzai, & Kommz. With each surefire drop providing a keen insight into the next big thing in drum & bass, Bites’ reputation continues to grow at a lightning pace.
Review: Fancy a bite? Maji is in the kitchen and he's brewing up a very naughty feast right here. Deeper and creepier than the sound he's usually known for, 'Running Back' flips and flexes around a groany, distorted three-note bassline and snippets of an iconic vocal sample. Spiced with lush pads and a whole zoo of interesting noises and textures in the background, there's enough meat on this bone to have you chewing for days. Bite hard.
Review: Nu Elementz has been one of the biggest success stories from the world of jump up over the past couple of years, his steady rise mirrored in peers like Bou, Kanine and others. This time around he's teamed up with Slipz to produce a naughty two-tracker that, if you're a fan of his work, will almost certainly be up your street. 'Empire' is a stabby concoction of percussive knocks and bass flares, with an ominous sample to lead you in on the drop. The flip is made of bigger material, with a groaning bass synth that's got jump up anthem written all over it and those classic percussive sounds we all know and love. 'S.W.A.T' is the better of the two but both are equally on point. Grab em.
Review: Music from Bites always, well, bites. The clue is in the name and Kendrick definitely isn't doing anything to allay that namesake with this single, a fiery jump-up rendition of what makes the subgenre such potent club material. 'Say You Do' combines a soulful vocal with juddering stabs and an overall sense of nastiness, whilst 'Shotgun Scatter' fires like a bullet out of a gun in its eagerness to floor you. There's movement galore, plenty of gunfinger moments and, above all, an urge to get down and dirty. Big.
Review: Every now and then, you just want a release that slams start to finish. No frills, no pretence of trying to be something that it isn't, just solidly banging D&B that gets your head nodding and your feet moving. Banzai has done that here and this single is a run of attitude-packed jump up, all of which would sound fat through a sound system. 'Menace' is a highlight, samples leading you in into a fluttering array of jagged synth-lines and boom-bap drum hits, a vibe that's quickly transferred across into 'Showtime' - snapping percussive hits, moody bass notes and melody that oozes power.
Review: Klip & Outlaw are partners in crime with a history of collaboration. They've got a criminal record, basically, and this single on Bites is their latest entry onto a rap sheet characterised by some seriously ill behaviour. The title track 'Terror' is a distorted, energetic exercise in how to craft a banging beat and it moves fast and definitely breaks things. Flipside 'The Plug' pitches things up a bit and injects a tad of bounciness, with a skipping break that ploughs quickly through its array of stabbing bass notes. Gritty stuff.
Review: Bites is a platform from Majistrate and Nu Elementz aimed at showing off some of the baddest jump up and heavier sounds floating around at the moment. This single from Vital is exactly that and is named Baddest of the Bunch presumably for that very reason, and it definitely lives up to expectations. The title track is a steppy, stripped back and choppy piece of work that vibrates and ricochets all the way down the range, a process repeated until it's drilled into your skull. The flip is similar but somehow even rowdier - top stuff.
Review: Bites have got a really nice little single coming your way in the shape of Imagination by Nu:Elementz, a producer who definitely knows how to make a big D&B number. 'Imagination' features a fat main drum line and a stomping synth section, both of which synergise really nicely to form a slick rolling tune. The flip, courtesy of Slipz, is more stripped back but still packs a similar roughshod drum sound, underpinned this time by a pulsatingly strong low frequency backdrop. Top top.
Review: Sharpen up them digits, Kendrick and Flatline have linked up and they're demanding to see the best gunfingers you can possibly pull at them. They've got the perfect soundtrack; 'Gunfinger' is the full package as it builds up with rave panache before dropping into an absolutely disgusting laser-firing drop. 'Flawless' meanwhile shows off the pair's deeper sense of groove craft with a purring low end and a springy high leaping around the mix on top. Spooky, savage and succinct - it lives up to its name.
Review: Jhitzu hits you right in the kisser with these two new ones on Bites. Taking off where his OnlyDrums releases left us, both cuts slap and tickle with timeless jump-up riff energy. 'Seizure' has a big bouncy bass and swinging set of drums while 'Smoke' (with Vizion) goes for a fatter wallop that's not dissimilar to a Heist jam in terms of its weight, energy and funk. Watch out for that build up if you like a switch!
Review: Filthy Habits? We wouldn't be surprised if Filthy Habits himself had a few of those, not just because it's in his name but because of how downright filthy his tunes are. 'Dreamscapes' is a rush of pitched-up deathy synths that rolls out at max speed and with zero sense of giving a fuck about, well, anything really. All the other tunes on this release are in the same vein, and 'Wot You Gonna Do' smacks of old school Sub Zero with its stabby approach to crafting basses. This is a solid release from to producers who have been on the up recently.
Review: Nu Elementz and Majistrate's Bites serve up once again! This time they welcome the return of young Baker who was last seen on the label collaborating with Kendrick on the ultra naughty 'Devils'. This time he's rolling solo and packing four equally disgusting blow-outs. Highlights flex from the hornet sting bass stabs of 'Worthy' to the more classical sounding jump up riffage of 'Fuse'. Be under no illusions about 'Illusions'... This is very very sick!
Review: Following Blckhry's killer EP at the start of the year, Bites continue to serve up with this geometrical masterclass - 'Corners' from one of their most consistent artists, Flatline. Very much of a game of two halves, he kicks off with two solo originals; the sweetly wonky and weird 'Corners' and a the old school inspired grizzliness of 'Evil Form'. Rounding up we have two collabs where Flatline links with Steryx for something deliciously harsh and angular on 'Ready' while 'Feel That' closes on a woozy tip. All 'Corners' covered
Review: Every now and then, you just want a release that slams start to finish. No frills, no pretence of trying to be something that it isn't, just solidly banging D&B that gets your head nodding and your feet moving. Royle has done that here and this EP is a run of attitude-packed jump up, all of which would sound fat through a sound system. 'Hoodlum' is a highlight, samples leading you in into a fluttering array of jagged synth-lines and boom-bap drum hits, a vibe that's quickly transferred across into 'Over You' - snapping percussive hits, moody bass notes and melody that oozes power.
Review: This EP draws a lot of influence from the noisy modern day jump up, but it's got a groove to it, making it seem more distinguished and grown up. 'Lose Your mind' is a little dark stepper, its rumbling sub is understated and leaves room for the robotic melody. "No Trouble' has a very distinct LLD feeling to it, as does 'Rizla'. 'Revive' is based around very simple drum pattern and like the other tracks has an open vibe to the soundscape, the main melodic synths here are what makes the track special as they change pitch the odd sound provided a great chance to buss a bass face.
Review: Bites have absolutely bloody killed it with this one. Featuring 4 cuts from Blckhry, Kendrick, Dispute and Spyraxx, New Generation is a collection of pure, gully rollers that all sit comfortably within the scene trends at the moment and which aim to show off the new talent on the label. All four of these could be talked about it in detail, but 'Bite' by Blckhry stands out for the sheer audacity of its bass, a wobbling, pulsating wall of energy that pushes out into all corners of the range. 'Filthy Animal' by Dispute is also top stuff, with a wonderfully solid percussive line and a grungy, gargling back end that'll have any head screwing their face up. Bangers!
Review: Dispute is not a man to argue with! Here he is, back on Bites with some serious artillery. 'Contract Killer' is pure sniper business with its pugnacious high frequency riff leading the charge. It's backed by equally heavy weapons - 'Afraid' is ominous, tense and growly, 'Murder' is more about the bounce and the groove while 'Paralysed' is all about the jumpy, nagging riff before 'Shut Up' offers the final word on the matter with its barking style bass tones. Simple but effective and to the point. Efficient, like all good contract killings should be.
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