Review: Imagine a fusion of hip-hop, grime, dubstep, bass music and electronica. Imagine each genre twisting and turning, melting into each other with razor-like execution. Imagine Davine Law. Straight out of Las Vegas, Davine has delivered a seriously sick debut LP that explores every unchartered sonic territory possible. From the broken glass bass riddim "California Grime" to the Busta/MOP style mosh-fest "Born Crazy" via the insanity bass loops of "2 Gunz Up", each cut acts as a seismic attack on any bass-loving dancefloor. Gritty, uncompromising and wholly distinctive, Davine Law tells it like it is.
Review: You'd think with hectic DJ schedules and production commitments, dubstep producers wouldn't have much time to do any housework. But you'd be wrong; here we find Californian bass scoundrel Imperium sweeping up his sector with pride. There's more than a touch of neuro to his graft, all doubling kicks and psychedelic twists in the heavily textured bass. Sweeping done, Imperium hits the Gulf course with the deadly "Desert Storm". The epitome of the term 'growler', there's an underlying sense of dread programmed into every chest-pressing kick and every detailed sub grizzle. Get sweeping today...
Review: New Zealand-based Sick Cycle have a sterling pedigree in the bass game now. Switching from D&B to dubstep at the flick of a VST, these guys know their sine language intuitively. Both "Genocide" and "Edward Bad Man Bernays" are no exception. The former is all stark and spikey, with cinematic string plucks and thunderous kicks. The latter is a metallic, industrial strength groove with just the right amount of slinkiness and, strangely, a reference to an American propaganda pioneer. Truly unique!
Review: Raw Ukrainian bass vibes via Denver right here as Section 8 continue to represent the US's oft-overlooked non-brostep faction. It's a game of two halves. Fans of the harder dubstep sound will enjoy "Aggression" as it does a 'cockney thug' with a curt two-word phrase from Alan Ford, and the title track that samples cult indie film Green Street Hooligans. For a much deeper, more spacious flavour head to "Badman" and "Too Much Power"; armed with penetrative subs and alien echoes, they're the perfect complement to the naughtiness elsewhere on the release.
Review: This two-track release from Section 8 has balls. Not just marbles or ping-pong balls, but colossal medicine balls. Opener "Sorrow" from producer OK isn't the fragile, lonely, melancholic piece the title makes out. While it has some world-wearing synths and chiming melodies, these are buried beneath a growling wall of dubstep bass and beats that will rattle your fillings. "Chaos" - a collaboration between studio types Incept and Kexx - is not so misleading. As the title suggests, it's an angry beast best avoided if you're of a nervous disposition. If, however, you enjoy your dubstep intense and full on, you should be listening right now.