Review: Rapidly ripping it up with a mission to bring some proper dread back to the convoluted hinterland around what used to be dubstep, Beneath has been showing some deadly skill on No Symbols and Keysound, and now he gets snapped up by Pinch to bring it on home to the perfect label for such deadly accuracy, Tectonic. "Duty" wastes no time in whipping into a low slung 4/4 roll defined by a gut-wrenching bottom end while all manner of panic-inducing industrial textures come slamming in around it. Far from the monochrome results so many achieve with such a sound palette, there is a serious dynamism in the rhythm Beneath creates, only built upon with "Texers" as dystopian whiffs of melody try to enter the fray in a more whip-cracking broken beat template.
Review: As one of the real leading forces in Bristol's 140 scene, we were very excited when we heard tell of a new project dropping from Boofy, especially when we learnt that it was to be alongside now legendary Tectonic imprint. We kick off the party with title track 'in My Head' which is a creepy, old school roller, driven by spooky harmonics, along with the skippier drum stylings of 'Perfunktion' and the quite frankly incredible sub work that takes place across the triplet driven arrangement of 'Back In The Box'. We then sign the project off with 'Herbie', another haunting expanse of unpredictable soundscaping, driven by organic drums and persistent, grizzly drones.
Review: When it comes to dubstep and its pioneers, people always drop the same names: Mala, Skream, Youngsta etc etc. But, there's another name that has been around since the FWD golden days. That name is Distance. Like many others who were involved in the scene's foundations, Distance has preferred to remain in the shadows, away from DJ booths, and firmly on his mixing board in the studio. If we're talking labels, he'd done 'em all - Hotflush, Planet Mu...the list goes on. Pinch's Tectonic feels like the perfect place to drop his new LP, especially because it strays way beyond the usual confinements of dubstep, and into whole new categories. From juke to bassline, and even techno, Dynamis is an album for lovers of the bass form. If that's your kink, this piece of work has got all the ingredients to satisfy your every need. Twisted basslines, haphazard beat flexes, and even some mashup lyricism. Sink your teeth, innit.
Review: There are few labels you can find the UK that always have as open a mind towards dance music as Tectonic, who here make their return alongside the breaks-heavy production stylings of Elmono. We kick this one off with a look at the title track 'Cooper's Dream', an atmospheric experience driven by crunchy breakbeat slices and spooky background feels. This is chased by the more lofi drum rolls of 'For The Future' before landing in the more tech inspired percussive arrangements of 'Endorfiend'. Finally, 'The Shermi Paradox' lightens the mood with some moogish bass orientation and yet more well designed drumfaces. Very enjoyable stuff!
Review: Unveiling a new moniker, DJG steps up with a smart two-tracker which continues Tectonic's careful steering towards a potential future for dubstep. "Uncertain" already received an airing on label boss Pinch's recent Fabric mix, and it sounds pristine in its solitary form, as mammoth chord stabs follow an equally hefty bassline. The vibe starts off darkside and blossoms into rich textures, positively sunnier in its outlook than first impressions may have suggested. "Vendetta" lives up to the sinister promise of its opening tones, riding a similar bumping groove but keeping the melodics to a minimum so that the edgy rhythm section can do its thing.
Review: Current scene darling Hugo Massien is up next on Pinch's esteemed Tectonic imprint. The Berlin by away of Bristol DJ/producer is the rising star most commonly associated with the 'deep tech sound' with releases on hot imprints previously such as XL, E-Beamz and 17 Steps. Indeed the Advanced Aerial Threat EP features yet more modern rave perspectives, that are drenched in evocative and dramatic aesthetics. From the bittersweet post jungle deconstruction of "Ursa Minor", some artificial intelligence on the sleek electro of "Candy Flip" that would make even Gerald Hanson or Carl Finlow stand up and notice, while the fierce breakbeat drama of "Divisions From The Start" flaunt Massien's fine knack for rhythm.
Review: Commonly seen sharing space with Killawat, Ipman has links to Pinch having committed one of the earliest releases on his techno-focused Cold Recordings label back in 2013 as well as contributing a production to the Pinch B2B Mumdance mix CD from last year. This Regicide release formalises links between Ipman and Tectonic and arrives ahead of a mooted debut album from the producer for the label later this year. The title track is a rugged ode to hardcore jungle badness that fits the current direction of Tectonic to a tee whilst the flips sees a new version of "Ghostrunner", Ipman's high pressure contribution to that Pinch B2B Mumdance mix.
Review: After an impressive run of form on labels such as Osiris Music and Pressed, the UK's Ipman lands on Pinch's mighty Tectonic imprint with a vicious two-tracker in pure Bristol mode. "Regicide" is a mid-tempo jungle swinger backed by perfectly detuned chords and swamped raga vocals, while "Ghostrunner" calls all station to grimesville with its grizzly bit of wobble low-end and furious percussion shots. Thee two tunes are bound to destroy just about any dancefloor, splitting the subwoofers wide open in the process. Recommended for the bass corner-dwelling, bass heads.
Review: His first Tectonic tear-ups since last year's incendiary album Depatterning, Ipman returns with two beautifully brutal pieces of sub-tech drama. "Constrict" hits like and old Plus-8 record, relentless rolling with its analogue texture fluctuating with grainy menace. "Running Man" is darker again - effectively kickless, the whole focus is around the suspense, unknowing and unease created in the slow-smouldering rise that eventually breaks down to naked heartbeats and eerie chimes. Bonafide futurism.
Review: Bristol bass imprint Tectonic is run by dubstep legend Pinch and returns with more dark side, low-end extremities to truly push the threshold. It is mainly about the Young Echo affiliated Ishan Sound here, who on "C5" collaborates with local scene hero Hodge for a moody downbeat affair, featuring spooky horror movie synth textures over booming kicks and trap snares. He then joins forces with the affectionately known Alex Muttley - a rising star on the local scene who lends his studio talents to the equally compelling "Still Smoking". Featuring more grime elements this time around, for this wobby and splintered basement jam that's guaranteed to get some lighters up in the air.
