Killawatt & Thelem - Kaba/Point Of No Return - Black Box - 02 July 2012

Killawatt & Thelem - Kaba/Point Of No Return

Released On: BLKBXXX09 - 02 July 2012

Killawatt & Thelem are back for another collaboration, and they have to bring a lot to the table to top their last one, Swarf, which was a killer tune. They’ve done well to get themselves a Black Box release too, a big label for the ‘dungeon’ sound, with top producers putting monster tunes out, including TMSV and J:Kenzo.

Part of the XXX range of releases, this one is enormous. A weighty, atmospheric tune full of unnerving soundscapes and rasping bass sounds, Kaba unleashes some beasty drums full of heavy kicks, woody snares, and tribal percussive sounds, very much ‘en vogue’ these days in dubstep.

The intro has a desolate, haunting atmosphere, fully deserving of the ‘dungeon’ description, swishing sounds, whispers and riser-like effects. Techno-style stabs, and complex, high-passed hi hat and percussion lead us in to the drop, aided by a spooky ‘inside everyone, there is a shadow.’

The duo then release an onslaught of stabs, bass rips, and a solid helping of sub bass to work out even the best of speakers and monitors. The drums and percussion feature less reverb than many tracks utilise in this genre, keeping fairly dry, and relying on the deep backdrop of sound and pads reverb to add texture and allow the drums to remain clear and crisp.

Point Of No Return is a breath of fresh air in a genre which is seeing new players come in all the time. Featuring unconventional drum patterns and particularly distinctive bass, this is no ordinary kick-snare-kick-snare roller. That said, it is still a dark, dank track, and the breakdown sounds like the innards of a cavernous dungeon, soaked in reverb and minute sounds protruding from the darkness to make for an uneasy, tense, but thrilling experience.

The drums relying on a massive kick, with a hint of 808-ness about them. A large hint. The lack of snare is particularly inspiring, and makes me want to give this style of track a go. The sub works with the kick, sticking with just one note, allowing the drones and pads in the backdrop giving the tune movement.

The lack of any midrange bass sounds is interesting, and not altogether a bad thing. There is a large amount of room left for the sub bass to take over, giving it more freedom than usual, and the boys have used this to good effect, unleashing some speaker shaking low trembles to give any sound system a run for it’s money.

A solid 12” release, these guys are the ones to watch in 2012, after having a big year last year. Check out their collaborations on tunes like Swarf, and Joom for some similar stuff.

For fans of Ipman, J:Kenzo, TMSV and anything played out by Youngsta. (I find that I’m saying that in every review!)

Truth - Dreams (Feat. Yayne)/Last Time - Tempa065 - 28th May 2012

Truth - Dreams/Last Time

Released On: Tempa065 - 28th May 2012

There are few major dubstep labels with more weight and prestige than Tempa. With releases from the biggest players in dubstep; Benga, Skream and Horsepower Productions just for starters, Tempa is home to some massive tunes.

Truth are no strangers to the scene themselves, with releases on Disfigured Dubz, Aquatic Lab and Deep Medi Musik to name but a few of the big labels they have graced. The duo from New Zealand have landed a massive 12” this time round, Dreams, and Last Time on the B side.

Dreams, featuring haunting vocals from Yayne, is a big one. Massive drums pound through this tune, with a gigantic helping of sub heavy bass, and the wealth of tonal percussion soaked in reverb aiding it. The wobbles, weighty and squelchy, are devoid of any sense of tempo synchronisation, leading to an unpredictable and uneasy sound. This is helped by the chilling, neverending, ad lib high notes from Yayne, working as a kind of pad and string sound to increase the high end energy.

The structure of this tune is brilliant, the breakdown offers a restbite from the big drums, before a massive crescendo leads straight back into the fully mixed beat.

Truth have smashed it with this one, probably my favourite release of theirs so far. On the flip, Last Time starts of easy, with the spacious percussion creating a tasty atmosphere, and what could be a guitar line plucking away, the tone of which is sublime. When the drums come in, and the full mix is unleashed, this tune is beautiful. A warm, analog-ey lush pad that could have come straight from a downtempo track sits on top of a massive bass sound, thats clean, but punchy enough to make an impact.

The percussion is very similar to the style that Kryptic Minds have become known for, incorporating heavily reverb-ed and delayed tonal percussion to fit in with the groove of the drums. If I’m not mistaken, there is a distinct ‘Yeah!’ shout, that is suspiciously similar to that of the ‘Woo, Yeah!’ break of James Browns. Brilliant and unassuming.

This track could even be as good as the A side, and may even have been justified with its own separate release, it really is a big tune. Highly recommended, this double sided 12” by the New Zealand duo Truth is definitely worth shelling out for, and the B side is particularly good.

For fans of Youngsta’s show, and dare I say ‘emotive’ dubstep, such as Phaeleh, Clubroot and the like.