Review: A/T/O/S - A/T/O/S [MEDiLP009]

We're welcoming another new scribe to these pages today, as well as (probably quite belatedly) a scoring system to accompany all the reviews you'll find on the site in future. As is to be expected, our standards are high and any release scoring within spitting distance of a five-out-of-five is one you'll kick yourself for missing out on.

Words: Alex Terry

A/T/O/S’ (A Taste of Struggle) first appearance came early on in 2013 by way of a self-titled single on the ever-adored Deep Medi Musik imprint. A low-slung, melancholic release pinching together aspects of trip- hop, R&B and dubstep, remixes from Skream and Commodo, and a video directed by Simon Mannaerts ear-marked the project of Amos & Truenoys as one to wait patiently and excitedly for. One year on, after confused anticipation, a couple of live performances and little to no information about the outfit surfacing online, A/T/O/S have announced their debut full length release.

Noticeably split between two different tempos - circling around the 140 and 100bpm marks - the album, on the one hand, seemingly pays homage to much of the Deep Medi back catalogue while markedly prying into regions previously unexplored by the dubstep label. Regardless of whether this was an intentional split, A/T/O/S present a debut album that oozes an undeniable 90's Bristolian demeanour while continually carving their own brand of dusky, leftfield R&B inflected with broken hip-hop: drunk drum patterns stumble spaciously over Moogs and Rhodes, lead by charmingly hesitant vocals.

Stand out tracks include 'Projects' bearing glistening synths that sound suspiciously sampled from 'Anti War Dub' - perhaps another appreciative nod towards influence - and 'Cosmos': a sunken, downtempo number that bears the qualities of the kind of industrial pop characterised recently by artists such as Grimes, and that benefits indefinitely from feeling submerged in cold bath water, washing off the saccharin edge and being stripped back into unnervingly few elements.

It is clear why the label seem to have been keen to lock the duo away while an album fell into place; quite simply, 'A/T/O/S' is one of the best debuts from any UK underground bass music act in a good number of years. Quite a statement, though one that becomes self-evident and difficult to dispute. Rich in emotion, confidently diverse production which retains strong continuity from track to track and an even stronger sense of A/T/O/S’ ownership over a sonic aesthetic and a bleak, sultry song writing ability.

A/T/O/S are undoubtedly special in that they have produced a stunning and unique debut album, and while they may not have spent the run up to its release gaining any noticeable momentum [Ed. - read: "shallow hype"], they have maintained an enthusiastic audience of label followers who are, let's face it, not outwardly interested in what they have to offer. To their credit, they have strung along the adjectives “dark” and “weighty” to encapsulate everything organic and timeless about the typical dancefloor-orientated MEDi release, while retaining them in what is absolutely a real listeners' album.

As for Deep Medi, who have a tendency to throw the occasional curveball - acts like Old Apparatus and Mark Pritchard being among the most notable - this is really the first vocal-lead act on the roster and it is difficult to imagine them not proving hugely successful in ways that bands such as Submotion Orchestra have proven of late. With that in mind, the prospect of further similar homegrown projects from the label would certainly be something to get excited about for 2014 and beyond.

A/T/O/S - A/T/O/S [MEDiLP009] will be released on the 3rd of March 2014 on 3x10" vinyl and in digital formats, and is available to pre-order from the Deep Medi Surus store now.

Featuring: Sepia

Photo by Ben Donoghue Photography

One of the reasons why it's so easy to like Sepia's music, or for that matter so difficult to dislike it, is the way in which each track captures a mood so effortlessly and coherently. And while maintaining a simple, linear mood or tone across six or so minutes of music isn't necessarily a stand-out achievement, to create, develop and challenge - through the deployment and subtraction of subtle rhythmic and tonal inflections - a complex atmospheric web is most definitely something to be celebrated; and when all that is built around big basslines, intensely intricate drums and a doffed cap to all that's worth nodding to from the past twenty or so years of UK dance music culture, then celebrating becomes all the more easy. The last time we were this excited about a new producer was probably the last time Sepia sent a new beat through. Or Etch did, or Facta did, or Underclass or - well, you can probably see that there's a pattern emerging here...


Hedmuk: To introduce yourself, what's your name, where are you from and how would you describe your sound?

Sepia: Hello. My name is Theo, I currently reside in East London and make tunes and DJ under the name of Sepia.

It's kind of hard to describe my sound, as it varies depending on what tempo I am working on or what mood I am in, but I think there are some consistencies in my tunes; for instance, you'll always find my tunes are very percussive and focus a lot on intricacies in the drum patterns. I play drums, so I think that influences my drum programming a lot. I also try to capture certain moods and atmospheres through the melodies I use and always a warm rumbling sub bass. I have only really just gotten my head around building synth patches. Most of my earlier works were literally just melodies, drums and sub bass, but it worked for the kind of vibe I was going for. So yeah, I just kind of make percussive and deep, bass-driven music. Sorry for rambling (laughs).

H: How long have you been involved in making music? What was it that first got you into making beats?

S: Well, throughout my teenage years I was writing music with old bands I was in until I was about 17 or 18. I still write music on that side, but have been more focused on electronic music since 2008 I guess; I have always been interested in it, but I never really got into making music or DJing until I went to a party in a forest where I used to live on the Isle of Wight (a little island down south, near Portsmouth). I remember watching my mate Ben (who also runs the rig and parties) playing an incredible set with tunes by Squarepusher, Aphex Twin, Luke Vibert etc. and then later through the night another guy was playing a dubstep set and the sounds just drew me in. I was gone at the time (laughs) but thought 'I really wanna play at one of these parties'. So I acquired some turntables and started collecting records and started DJing.

I started producing towards the end of 2008, but was only really messing about, I got a copy of FL Studio 7 and taught myself how to produce. I was under a different name back then and still finding my feet, but when I moved to Brighton I was playing shows weekly with some huge people (Skream, N-Type, Coki, Joy Orbison, James Blake etc.), had residencies and played at nights like Subsplash, Supercharged, Aka Aka Roar etc. and it is through playing them shows and networking in Brighton that I got to meet and become friends with the likes of Riskotheque, Marchmellow, Southbound Hangers, Dismantle, Gangoon Dubz, Etch and Ashley (from Well Rounded). It was about late-2009/early-2010 that I really got to grips with my production and finally developed my own sound and I started taking it a bit more seriously.

And now here I am I guess, I am still learning new things every day with DJing and making tunes, but I guess everybody is really because music and methods are constantly evolving and changing. Nobody ever stops learning, to be honest.



H: In terms of where you take your influence from musically, your tunes give the impression that your listening ear is a open one: is this the case? Who would you say you most often find yourself looking towards for influence?

S: Yeah, you could say that. I listen to a lot of different music, man, a lot of which are bands. If honest, I'd have to say my biggest musical influence would be Sigur Ros: words can not describe the effect their music has on me, so I am not even going to try. You may not be able to hear their influence in all of my tunes, but if you listen carefully to some of the melodies and arrangements I put together (for example in my tune 'If Only We Could See Us Now'), you can detect a hint of the ambient and orchestral sounds I use in some of the intros and atmospheres I create.

As far as bass music goes, my influences will always be the first who got me into this sound, for instance Mala, Coki, Loefah, Burial, Kode 9,  El-B, Cluekid, Horsepower Productions, Steve Gurley etc. and then you have just some incredible producers such as Four Tet, Aphex Twin, Boards Of Canada, Luke Vibert, J Dilla, Quasimoto etc. I wouldn't say they influence the sounds I make, but they influenced me to experiment with electronic music in the first place, way before I even discovered dubstep or garage. Also, you have more recent producers such as Phaeleh, Congi, and DjRum whose music really blows me away.

But my influences go beyond music too: books, movies, people, situations, atmospheres, summer, past experiences and life itself are all influences in my sound. I guess everything has an influence on me, it also has a lot to do with where I am at the time musically, consciously, emotionally and physically: it all plays a part in my process of making music.

H: Your music covers a wide range of styles - from Grime to UK Funky to Garage and Dubstep and more - is this something you're conscious of? Do you approach making a tune with a certain idea or style in mind or is it a more organic process of just seeing where it takes you?

S: I am aware of it after the tune is completed, but it is not something that is planned or thought out. I never sit and think to make a certain genre. Going with influences again, it all just depends where my mind is at the time. I usually start my tunes with an 8-bar drum loop and from there I try out some little bass hooks to try get a feel of what kind of groove it is going to be. From there I separate everything and start from scratch and build an intro, drums, basses, synths, atmospheres etc. and start constructing the sounds I have made into a song. But it is hard to say really, as each tune is different; I never produce in a certain way, it's ever-changing. Not sure if that is a good thing or not, but it works.




H: How does it feel, despite not easily fitting into a particular genre category, to be receiving airplay and support from the likes of Joe Nice, Dusk & Blackdown, Phaeleh and B Traits? Do you feel like this recognition puts the pressure on to deliver more in the future, or does it just encourage you to progress with your sound?

S: I have been stoked and overwhelmed by the support and plays from the people who have been into my sounds. It might not be much to many people, but I am so stoked that 'Observer' got played on Radio 1. Even more stoked that Joe Nice cut 'Observer' and played it on Sub FM. Skream & Benga recently dropped my tune 'Cornered' on Radio 1 too which I am stoked about. And the support and plays that Dusk & Blackdown have given me have definitely influenced me to keep striving to push my sound further and excel.

I do feel that knowing that some people enjoy the music does influence me to progress my sound and deliver more, but at the same time it also scares me. Sometimes I make tunes and won't even show them to anybody as I don't feel they are worthy because some people might be looking for a certain sound and I am not sure that it will be the one they are looking for. This goes back to the way I produce, I can't stick to a certain sound or genre because I'm influenced and intrigued by so many things and I like to experiment with different sounds and styles sometimes. I don't like to think there are any restrictions or boundaries in music: everybody should just be allowed to go with their instinct and see where their creative flow takes them.

H: Tell us a bit about the mix you've put together for us.

S: The mix was recorded at my friend's house on his CDJs (big up Etch for letting me use them); when I play out I like to try and give the listener a taste of where I am at musically, so I tend to jump genres and create different atmospheres and also try to keep the listener interested by playing different things that hopefully everybody can enjoy at least a part of. A lot of the tunes in my mix are made by my friends, and that is something I am loving about the underground music scene right now: a lot of us are actually friends, we all network with each other and we are all bouncing off each other to excel and progress. So this mix features a lot of dubs, forthcoming pieces, and a few new releases by more established artists that I am feeling. There is a sneaky VIP in the mix also and an upcoming project too...



H: Finally, are there are anything forthcomings lined up or anything else in the pipeline that you'd like to put the word out on? 

S: Yes there is, 'Cornered' and 'Outbreak' are forthcoming on Redshift-One and are due out June 24th (available from all the usual digital outlets). I've got something else lined up too but nothing is 100% confirmed yet, so keep an eye out on my Soundcloud or Facebook for forthcoming releases, gigs and new music. Hopefully you'll be hearing more from me in the near future.
And lastly, big up and shouts to yourselves at Hedmuk, Etch, Atlas, J-One, Lex, Breen, Facta, Underclass, Rabit, Scalade, Konvex, Threnody, Dusk & Blackdown, Joe Nice, Phaeleh, Congi, Quest, Glacial Sound and too many more. And of course my girlfriend for putting up with my noise all hours of the day (laughs).





Download: Sepia - Hedmuk Exclusive Mix



Tracklist:


Sepia - Bullets [Dub]
Sepia - Because Of Me [Dub]
Wen - Swingin' [Badimup]
Sepia - Outbreak VIP [Dub]
Walton - Homage [Keysound]
Pearson Sound - Quivver [Nonplus+]
Fresh Paul - Sunblazed [Keysound]
Bloom - Quartz [Gobstopper]
Vivek - Asteroids [System Music]
??? - ??? [Dub]
Sepia - If Only We Could See Us Now [Free]
Sepia - Into The Abyss [Dub]
Sepia - Observer [Dub]
Sepia - Skyline [Dub]
Congi - Somnium VIP [Dub]
Sub Basics - In The Quiet [Dub]
Klax & Disonata - Lost Souls [Forthcoming Uprise Audio]
Daega Sound - Land In Motion [Black Box]
SPD - Habitus [Slime]
Sepia - Cornered [Forthcoming Redshift One]
DjRum - Honey [2nd Drop]

Sepia - HEDMUK Exclusive Mix by Hedmuk on Mixcloud

W.

Free Download: Coleco - Hedmuk EP

Criminally underrated, Bristol's Coleco (follow him on Facebook here) is one of the most consistently exciting producers working in the UK right now: able to pull an immense amount of space from pretty much any tempo, his recent output has stretched all the way up to the too-often-static 160bpm range, and with impressive results. When Skream made a return to Rinse FM last month - alongside Loefah and Route 94 for an extended one-off show - he played 'Hypnagogia' from Coleco's last Soul Motive release and with it caught the attentions of a previously-dormant audience.

And it's to this audience that this free EP: a collection of tunes ranging from tight-stepping garage on 'Lovin Me' to a stretching cross of jungle, juke and breakbeat on 'Prime', and from the indefinable 'Coleco sound' of 'Automatic' - which manages to introduce more ideas over the course of one track than some producers could handle in an album's worth of material - to the pure bliss 'Smokey', with Victoria Klewin's vocals contributing a generous helping of soul. Enjoi:


Download: Coleco - Hedmuk EP [.zip]


Download: Coleco - Lovin' Me [320kbps mp3]
Download: Coleco - Lovin' Me [WAV]


Download: Coleco - Prime [320kbps mp3]
Download: Coleco - Prime [WAV]


Download: Coleco - Automatic [320kbps mp3]
Download: Coleco - Automatic [WAV]


Download: Coleco - Smokey (feat. Victoria Klewin) [320kbps mp3]
Download: Coleco - Smokey (feat. Victoria Klewin) [WAV]



Preacha.

Remix Competition: Sparxy & Fused Forces - Leviathan

One of this year's fast-risers, Sparxy has spent 2012 leap-frogging his way to Radio 1 and Rinse FM plays from the likes of scene legends Skream, Benga and N-Type, as well as steering output from his own Bacon Dubs imprint up the release charts with uncompromising regularity. This week saw the release of his own 'Gravitation EP', and with it comes the opportunity to not only have a go at remixing one of the stand-out tunes from the release - 'Leviathan', a collaboration with Fused Forces - but also to have the remix released on Bacon Dubs as well as winning a whole sack of other good stuff.

The rules are simple:

1. Entries can be in any style, of any length and incorporate any number of other parts, but at least 4 of the remix parts provided may be used.

2. Finished remixes should be sent via email attachment or Mediafire link to hedmuk@gmail.com before the closing date, with the subject 'Sparxy Remix Competition'.

3. Your email should include a note of which 4 (or more) of the remix parts have been used.

4. Entries should be sent in 320kbps mp3 format.

5. All entries are to be kept offline and private until after the competition close date.

6. One entry per person.

7. All entrants are strongly advised to label their remix entries properly with ID3 tags in order to clearly indicate who is responsible for each version.


Download: Sparxy & Fused Forces - Leviathan Remix Pack


The competition will close on Sunday the 13th of January, after which date all entries will be judged jointly by Sparxy and Hedmuk and the winning entries announced a week later, on the 20th of January.

The winner will not only have their remix included on Sparxy's next EP (subject to contract agreement), but will also receive: 1 x Hedmuk X Thelem T-shirt in the size of their choice, 1 x Bacon Dubs T-shirt in the size of their choice, 1 x Bacon Dubs coffee mug, Bacon Dubs stickers, the entire Bacon Dubs back catalogue on a limited edition CD. Three runners-up will also have their versions released as part of a free EP released via Hedmuk.

Preacha.

Free Download: Skream - 100K Freeizm

Like the opposite of a grime MC announcing on every set that their new mixtape is 'out soon', the last two free download releases in Skream's much-loved 'Freeizm' series have been announced as the last and yet more continue to surface. The occasion for this latest offering is the Croydon producer's reaching 100,000 followers on Twitter, and features eleven tracks all made between 2006 and 2009 - arguably one of dubstep's most fruitful periods.


Download: Skream - 100K Freeizm


Tracklist:

1.   Lemon Drive (2007)

2.   Smokers (2008)

3.   Gloitch (2007)

4.   2LSD (2D Remix) (2008)

5.   Fuckin' Nutter (2007)

6.   Maybe it's For The Best (2008)

7.   Passion (2006)

8.   Oiz (2009)

9.   Shadows (2009)

10. Woinky (2008)

11. Hazey Mind (2009)




Preacha.

Free Download: Skream - Freeizm History

Skream weighs in this Christmas with yet another huge, and apparently final, giveaway: this time he's collected eleven tracks which all date between 2004 and 2006 (a period many consider to be among the golden years of the garage off-shoots of both dubstep and grime). Coming with a slightly wry warning that 'This will not impress people who found dubstep in the last 3 years', the free zip should provide something of an insight to more recent fans as to the minimal and hugely experimental foundations from which the now-global sound has grown.

Featuring some Stella Session classics, such as 'Potent Cloud' and 'Hurt The Soundboy', this is a must have for everyone: regardless of when they were first introduced to the sound.


Download: Skream - Freeizm History


Tracklist:

1. Zoned
2. Potent Cloud
3. Deeper Concentration
4. Dubbers Anonymous Pt.2
5. Hurt The Soundboy
6. Live & Learn
7. Sound Trak
8. Tale of the Haunted Flutes
9. Top Gear
10. All Hail
11. My Calculations

.Preacha.

5 More Classic Sets/Mixtapes

Since we got such positive feedback for our last collection of classic sets and mixtapes, we've decided to make it a semi-regular feature and will be posting old, and sometimes hard to find, mixes in slightly nostalgic bunches like this from time to time.

Radio 1's Essential Mix show has a simple formula, and that is to put some of the world's biggest DJs to the two-hour test and see what sort of a set they can come up with. Few Essential Mixes have retained as much legend in the UK's bass music scene as the dubstep and grime special hosted in 2006, which featured the newly-renamed Plastician, Digital Mystikz and Roll Deep taking shifts around the decks.


Download: Plastician / Digital Mystikz / Roll Deep - Essential Mix [2006]


A legendary Stella Session in which Skream is joined by Mala and Chef. All three DJs have a huge selection of dubs with them and vow to keep playing 'until the dubs run out'.


Download: Skream - Joined by Mala & Chef: Rinse FM [2006]


The set in which Wiley's mouth may have got the better of him as his constant sends for God's Gift eventually saw the studio rushed and the show ended early, and would also contribute to Geeneus' famous ban on grime at Rinse in 2007.


Download: DJ Maximum - Wiley sending for God's Gift, Lethal Bizzle & Logan Sama (and getting rushed): Rinse FM [2006]


A genuine rarity, this live recording from Transmission in Leeds is a run through of much of the material that has made DMZ and all involved with it such an institution within dubstep.


Download: Digital Mystikz, Loefah & Sgt. Pokes - Live @ Transmission, Leeds [2006]


Dubstep's American ambassador, Joe Nice, is reputed for the wide selection of dubs he carries as well as his passion for the music. This mix goes down as a catalogue of some of the tunes that have been lost to the scene's celebrated dubplate culture.


Download: Joe Nice - Lost Dubs Mix [2008]


.Preacha.

Free Download: Parma Violets - Skittles

Skream is at it again, and has given away the collaboration he worked on with Joker a couple of years ago. With some hefty swing in the drums, and the Bristolian's purple synths at the forefront, this tune was a big tune on the dancefloor as a dubplate and will undoubtedly be making it into plenty more people's sets now.


Download: Parma Violets - Skittles



.Preacha.

12 Classic Sets / Mixtapes

With Outlook coming up next weekend, there will be many people making their way over to Croatia to experience one of the world's best and fastest-rising festivals and an equal amount of people (if not more) left sitting at home wishing they were there. With this in mind, we at HEDMUK have put together this collection of some of our favourite sets and mixtapes from over the years which should provide a perfect accompaniment for both long journeys to Pula and days sat at home wishing you were taking it all in at Fort Punta Christo. Moving chronologically from 2002 to 2009, and taking in a wide range of styles from dark garage, to grime, to dubstep and jungle, we start with dubstep sound-definer, Hatcha. Enjoi:


Featuring an unreal number of dubplates and exclusives, this mix from 2002 is indicative of the degree of influence that Hatcha had when it came to sculpting out the original dubstep sound.


Download: Hatcha - Studio Mix [2002]


Quality from start to finish, and a small piece of history in itself, Skream's promo mix for Big Apple Records has stood the test of time and serves as both reason and reminder for the unbridled success that the Croydon originator now enjoys.


Download: Skream - Big Apple Mix [2004]


The first of a CD series that only ran to two volumes, this live recording of one of Youngsta's sets at FWD>> is a snapshot of the dread-bass, dark halfstep sound that the legendary DJ made his own.


Download: Youngsta - FWD>> Live: Vol. 1 (feat. Crazy D) [2004]


Perhaps best known for their more recent '10 Year Anniversary' mixes, United Vibes had already shown their skills of observation in 2006 by tracing the history of dubstep back to its origins in this tight retrospective selection.


Download: United Vibes - Dubstep History Mix [2006]


Jumping on the mic for Kode9's show on Rinse, the self-proclaimed Godfather of Grime rides classic beats from the likes of Skream, Benga, D1, Mala, Coki & Loefah and asserts the potential for innovative crossover between the two genres.


Download: Kode9 - Wiley's Guest Appearance: Rinse FM [2006]


The beginnings of his now-renowned yearly mix series (recently rebranded as the 'Sound That Speaks Volumes' series) saw Plastician blending his own dark hybrid grime/dubstep productions with some of the year's biggest dubs and already-released tunes.


Download: Plastician - May Mix [2006]


Dizzee Rascal makes an appearance on Kool FM (a London pirate that was key in the development of the jungle scene, and not to be confused with Northern Ireland's Cool FM) and switches from his usual grimey flow to jump on a Ruff Stuff jungle set and Skibadee's reaction is enough confirmation of his cross-genre abilities.


Download: Ruff Stuff - Skibadee, Dizzee Rascal, Funsta, Harry Shotta & D Double E: Kool FM [2007]


Judge Jules' predictions of future success for Benga could not have been more on point, and the latter's Essential Mix remains as an example of the innovation and talent behind the widespread acclaim he and his music would garner over the following years.


Download: Benga - Essential Mix [2008]


To celebrate the Newham legend's birthday, Tubby and D Double E returned to their roots in jungle for this special set in 2008 which is packed full of stone cold classic tunes, bars and flows.


Download: Tubby & D Double E - D Double's Birthday Set: Rinse FM [2008]


Collaborating with their label -30, Cotti & Cluekid took an almost literal interpretation of the word 'dubstep' by creating a blend of dark garage rhythms and atmospherics and a heavily reggae-influenced approach to melodies, vocals and sampling. In this promo mix for the now-defunct label, Cotti takes the listener through this unique approach to the sound.


Download: Cotti - -30 Mix [2008]


A year after his seminal 'Dubstep Allstars: Vol. 5' mix, N-Type upped the ante with this tightly constructed mix for Radio 1 pioneer, Mary Anne Hobbs. Moving in one swift motion from jungle to garage to dubstep, N-Type shows why he's held up as one of the best and most respected DJs around.


Download: N-Type - In The Mix For Mary Anne Hobbs' Experimental Show: Radio 1 [2008]


After making the switchover from drum & bass to dubstep and linking up with Loefah for what would be the launch of his label, Swamp 81, Kryptic Minds made clear their true potential around the 140bpm mark with this mix for Blackdown. Dropping a few months before their debut dubstep album, 'One Of Us', this mix set them out as a duo that would become impossible to ignore.


Download: Kryptic Minds - Blackdown Studio Mix [2009]


.Preacha.

Free Download: Benga - Smack Your Bitch Up

A tune that's become something of an anthem over the last year or so, Benga's 'Smack Your Bitch Up' will be familiar as the lurching opener to his set's alongside Skream. Having promised a free giveaway some time ago, it comes as something of a surprise that a beat which was expected to receive a full release has been put up for free download but it may equally be taken as a positive sign as to the level of quality to expect from Benga's forthcoming album. In this way, the tune fulfils its assumed role as a statement track: a big set-opener that has stood the test of time, a re-appropriation of an already-established dance anthem and a preview of what to expect to an important post-fame follow-up album.

Download: Benga - Smack Your Bitch Up

.Preacha.

Free Download: Benga - United Kingdom

To promote his appearance this coming Saturday at Brixton Academy, Benga gives away this stripped-back stomper. Using vocal samples and a extra dashes of percussion to break up the structure of the beat and give it a little extra swing, this one comes on like a skippier incarnation of Skream's 'Darkin It'.




Download: Benga - United Kingdom




.Preacha.

Free Download: Skream - Darkin It / Skream - Under The City Lights (feat. Sam Frank)

It's another free release from the most generous man in music, and this time Skream has given away two free tunes which represent both ends of the spectrum of his current output: 'Darkin It' comes on like a harder version of 'Metal Mouth', while 'Under The City Lights' (previously only released in Japan) works as a follow up to album track 'Where You Should Be'.

Download: Skream - Darkin It

Download: Skream - Under The City Lights (feat. Sam Frank)

.Preacha.

Free Download: Skream - The Freeizm Album

After many pleas for a follow up to Freeizm 3, Skream gave in and presented the ultimate dubstep Christmas gift. Featuring a huge thirteen tracks ranging from old school favourites such as '10 Bit Dreamz' to tunes that have been doing the circuits this year like 'CTO', aswell as much sought-after dubplates like 'Lightning VIP'.

Skream also included this Christmas message with the .zip folder:

"
Merry Christmas…..

Massive shouts to everyone who's supported me this year in any way…..
This album is compiled of old stuff, lost dubs and some new stuff so I hope you enjoy!
Here’s to 2011!

Massive shouts to Mario Cvetic for the artwork!
BIG UP!
"

Download: Skream - The Freeizm Album

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. No Ready
3. Cold Outside
4. 10 Bit Dreamz
5. Minor
6. Back From The Zoo
7. Krazy Snares
8. Lightning VIP
9. Left The Room (feat. P Money)
10. Commercial Sellout
11. CTO
12. Skwelcha
13. Emotional Shizzle


.Preacha.

Free Download: Truth - Perfect Combination

After a huge year for the trio from New Zealand, which included tours across the UK, Europe and the United States, and releases on the likes of Skream's Disfigured Dubz, Mala's Deep Medi Musik and their homeland label Aquatic Lab, Truth have given out 'Perfect Combination': a tune which aptly describes their approach to both production and DJing as it balances a mid-range melody with an all important bass-weight.


Download: Truth - Perfect Combination


.Fukhed.

Free Download: Skream - Gather Round

Following from his announcement of the planned release of one final 'Freeizm' EP, the ever-generous Skream has given away the melodic banger 'Gather Round' for free via Twitter. This follows his pledge to make the collection the largest free release he's put out to date and is set to include around '10/11 tracks'. With the chosen tunes coming out tomorrow, Skream tonight has asked for submissions for artwork.


Download: Skream - Gather Round


.Fukhed.

Free Download: Skream - Fabric

Apparently not content with giving out three free EPs this summer aswell as the screeching 'Raw Dogz', Skream delivers yet another tune to download without a fee. Another metallic, tear-out tune, 'Fabric' was given away after Skream found the tune but couldn't remember making it.

Download: Skream - Fabric

.Fukhed.

Featuring: TMSV

Dutch producer TMSV has taken the time answer a few of our questions as well as completing an exclusive mix showcasing some of his beats. With his first international release currently available on Box Clever and support recently coming from no less than DJ Youngsta, TMSV is certainly one to watch. Enjoy:

Hedmuk: Just as a neat introduction for anyone who may be unaware of you- what name do you write under, where are you from, and how would you describe your sound?

TMSV: I'm TMSV and I'm from the Netherlands. I mostly produce dubstep with as much sub bass as possible.

H: When did you start to make beats?

T: I first started experimenting around 2004 or 2005 actually, but I'm not sure if what I made back then could actually be considered music, haha. I listened to a lot of drum & bass, so until 2007 that's what I was most interested in making. I started to make music at 140 bpm around the start of 2007 and that's when I began to take music more seriously.

H: What, in your opinion, is your best beat to date? Why?

T: I'm not sure if I could pick one. I'm quite satisfied with 'Memory' and 'Water or Fire' for example, but I might prefer 'Dahaka' or 'All it Takes' tomorrow.

H: Tell us a bit about your production process. How long does it take you to make a tune? Do you Juggle several tunes at once or focus your efforts on one at a time?

T: I recently discovered that my sequencer keeps track of how long I've been working on a tune. If that's anything to go by, I guess I spend between 4 and 10 hours on a tune, 4 hours probably being the quickest I've ever finished one. I often forget about a certain project because I always work on multiple tunes at the same time; if I don't finish a beat in a couple of days, chances are it gets lost among loads of ideas and unfinished tunes on my hard drive, either for a while or forever.

Myrkur & TMSV - Icarus by Myrkur

H: You spoke briefly in your Kmag interview of your love of ‘old school’ minimal Dubstep, citing Digital Mystikz , Skream and Distance as early influences. I wondered if you could enlighten us further. Were there any stand out releases you cherished? Perhaps your first experience of Dubstep in a club affected you?

T: The first dubstep I really couldn't stop listening to were a couple of DMZ releases (like Haunted/Anti War Dub and Left Leg Out/Blue Notez-if anyone has a spare copy of this, let me know!) and Skream's debut album. For some reason I can't really remember the first time I heard it in a club, but I do remember a (Deep Medi?) night at Melkweg in Amsterdam which was pretty amazing.

H: What do you make of the bass music scene at the moment, in particular the dark, brooding end of the scene. Do you think it is well represented and promoted? Perhaps on a more personal level to you, is it well represented in Holland?

T: I think there's an incredible amount of good music being made at the moment. I can't really say anything about how well it's promoted internationally, but I know there's a lot of people in Holland who are very much into the deeper side of bass music. Of course I would like it to be more popular, because it's a type of music I really like, but it's still an underground sound.

TMSV - Inner Space by TMSV

H: Tell us a bit about the scene in the Netherlands. What are your favourite nights/events ?

T: I think Holland was one of the first countries to pick up the sound from the UK, so there's a very dedicated group of people who have been, and still keep pushing and supporting the sound in various ways, be it just listening to it, djing, producing, taking pictures, making artwork, running labels or putting on nights. Being a small country also helps because I think all of those people know eachother or are at most one handshake away.

TMSV - Future History by TMSV

My favourite nights by far are Dub Infusions and Radical. Both nights get really good djs to play at nice, dark venues and aside from that it's always a really good night out regardless of who's playing.

H: Aside from you in the Dutch scene, we are already aware of Myrkur and Bojcot Selectah. Are there any other Dutch producer that you would recommend we check out? What kind of music are they making?

T: Halp, Presk, Astroposer, The Illuminated, Inofaith and Myrkur (again, yes). I'd like to mention June Miller as well, even though they've been pretty well-known in the drum & bass scene for some time. I probably forgot a couple, sorry! Actually most of them are getting quite a bit of well-deserved attention at the moment.

H: Is there pressure on foreign producers to spend a large amount of their time in the U.K? In the past Dubstep producers from outside the U.K, people such as DJ Madd, have made the decision to up sticks and move here. Is this something you have considered? Or is the scene strong enough internationally nowadays to satisfy you.

T: I've never felt pressured to leave the Netherlands to pursue a career in music, at least not yet. Thinking about it, I haven't been to the UK since I started taking producing seriously.

I would really like to come to the UK some time to play out, meet up with people and make a tune or 2 with some of them.

I can't really say anything about whether the scene is strong enough internationally (of course not counting the internet!), because I haven't ever done anything music related abroad, but I do know Holland is a good country for dubstep and music in general.

H: You recently had your first international release on Box Clever. What did this mean to you? People in the far nether regions of the world may have bought that release!

TMSV - Signal by blackbox-boxclever

T: It means a lot, because apparently people like my music enough to consider it worthy of an international release. I'm very happy the music I've put so much time and effort into is being appreciated even by people I don't know, who even spend their money on it!

H: Listening to a recent Youngsta set on Rinse, he opened with ‘Myth’ and later dropped ‘All it Takes'( it got a reload as well). What does it mean to you knowing some of the biggest names in the scene have, listen and like your tunes?

T: It's amazing, like I said i'm really happy my music is being received so well. Hearing tunes I made get played on radio shows, mixes and so forth by influential people I admire as artists is still a bit unreal, but it feels really good!

Tmsv-Hedmuk Exclusive Mix by Hedmuk on Mixcloud

Download: TMSV - Hedmuk Exclusive Mix

Tracklist:

TMSV - Back Off [Dub]

Seven - Cerebral [Forthcoming Subway]

Mala - Explorer [Monkeytown/Modeselektion]

TMSV - Dem A Talk [Dub]

Mala - Eyez [DMZ]

Geiom' - Remminisin' (Skream Remix) [Freeizm]

TMSV - Cold [Box Clever]

DJ Madd - Good Old Days [Forthcoming Black Box]

Kryptic Minds - Rubberman [Osiris Music]

TMSV - Sentinelese [Dub]

J.King & Benny Ill - Kosmic 78 [Deep Medi]

TMSV - Dahaka [Dub]

TMSV - Forget [Dub]

TMSV - Through The Night [Dub]

Free Download: Skream - Come To Murder (feat. Sgt. Pokes) / Benga & Kutz - I'll Kut Ya

The most famous (ex-)pirate radio station in the world turns sixteen this year and, as was also the case last year, Rinse is giving its listeners their own birthday present. Skream and Benga have undoubtedly been two of the stations biggest success stories and have certainly done a lot for the image and prowess of the station themselves, so it seems fitting that they are giving away their tunes to celebrate not only the stations ground-breaking sixteenth birthday, but also the year in which it historically gained a full FM license.

Skream's tune features a sample of the much-loved DMZ MC Sgt. Pokes with a trademark crowd-hyping soundbite alongside synths which come with a drunken swagger and classic Skream kicks and snares.

Download: Skream - Come To Murder (feat. Sgt. Pokes)

The offering from Benga is his hugely anticipated collaboration with Croydon old-timer Kutz. A good example of a decent wobble tune, as control has clearly been exercised, the current dancefloor smash 'Night Hunter' by Fis-T certainly owes a lot to the sound of this tune: instant cop.

Download: Benga & Kutz - I'll Kut Ya

.Fukhed.

Skream - The Future Sound Of Skreamix

Skream is in demand to the world at the moment, it seems, as he gears up to the release of the Magnetic Man album to follow his own sophomore LP and the three Freeizm EPs. Yet the prolific producer still had time to contribute to giving legendary Radio 1 DJ Mary Anne Hobbs the send-off she deserves as she makes her movements away from the station this September. Skream laid down a forty minute mix featuring plenty of dubs and aswell as some straight up exclusive which appear to give a positive signal to the future of his sound.

Download: Skream - The Future Sound Of Skreamix (Mary Anne Hobbs' Experimental Show - 12/08/10)

Tracklist:

01. Skream — The Other Side Of The Smiling Face [Exclusive Dub]
02. Skream — Phatty Drummer [Tempa]
03. Skream — Amity-Step [Tempa]
04. Skream — Behind The Curtain [Freeizm]
05. Skream — Heavy Hitter [Exclusive Dub]
06. P-Money — Left The Room (Skreamix) [Dub]
07. Skream — Frogger [Dub]
08. Skream — Beach Steppin' [Exclusive Disfigured Dubz]
09. Skream — Rollin' Kicks (Magnetic Man Re-Edit) [Tempa]
10. Skream — Stand Up [Tempa]
11. Skream — How Real (feat. Freckles) [Tempa]
12. Skream — CPU [Tempa]
13. Skream — Sea Sick [Exclusive Dub]
14. Skream — Siminimal [Non Plus]
15. Skream — Under The City Lights (feat. Sam Frank) [Tempa]
16. Skream — Emotional Shizzle [Exclusive Dub]

.Fukhed.

Free Download: Skream - Raw Dogz

Despite already showing some serious generosity over the past couple of months with his Freeizm EP giveaways, man-of-the-moment Skream promised to hand out a free download of the tear-out banger 'Raw Dogz' if Magnetic Man's recent single release of 'I Need Air' went Top 10. After going in at number six in the mid-weeks, it finally settled at the number ten spot, and Skream followed through with his promise, so here it is.

Download: Skream - Raw Dogz

.Fukhed.