Back catalogue: Dubstep

Review: The latest compilation album from COD3 QR is, as always, focused on eclecticism, open-mindedness, divergence and non-conformity, featuring the usual wide range of electronic music, all handpicked by Laurent Garnier and Scan X. The vinyl edition of this very latest edition of the compilation series - which was embarked upon in not long after the longstanding but mysterious label was revealed to be the fruits of the labours of this legendary duo, who had until then ran it incognito - comes as a condensed version of the digital, on which a terse seven tracks from the likes of Calibre, Seroplexx, Costello, Marcelus, Subground 3000, Lee Trax, Jim Rivers, Melatron and Ancient Artifact all appear. Though the label has set a high expectation with their admonition against "all expectations and all prejudices", they actually do extremely well to fulfil that aim. Most contributions here - from the steppy, sloppy 'Sump Dub to the just-plain-monstrous 'I Get My Kicks' - tend towards on the uncategorisable and unpigeonholeable, at least in terms of overtly boxed-in genre norms.

Review: Chad Dubz's Foundation Audio label outta Bristol remains a leading light in the bass, sound system and dubstep scene. This time out it is Kroomen and Somah who pair up for some mysterious late-night transmissions designed to rattle the walls. 'Kaba Rhythm' manages to be both light and airy yet dark and heavy all at once, with some Eastern melodies leading you ever deeper into the shadows. 'Sub 37' is all lurching kicks and skittish perc with twisted metallic textures and 'Heavy Smoke' is a slow and purposeful rhythm that takes its time to lure you in. It's golden-era dubstep that is as atmospheric as it is inviting.

Review: Well, it's been a long old while since we saw or heard the Semtek name. His last release on these pages was a full six years ago on his own always mighty fine Don't Be Afraid imprint with only one or two other EPs credited to him in the whole of the last decade. Rubadub have done well to coax him out of semi-retirement because these two tracks are hard: 'Denny Island' is a supple drum workout with darkness in the air but plenty of deep cosmic feels keeping things warm and welcoming. 'Catching Smoke' is another one defined by its rubbery busy bottom end and atmospheric synth work up top. Two heads-down back room beauties.

Review: It's been a while since we last saw Sepia on Infernal Sounds but rolling deep with Rider Shafique, he fits right back into the groove with the sublime and title track 'Time Stands Still'. A fitting title for a dreamy vibe, it's backed up by a wide range of gems... 'Gatekeeper' is sludgy, gloom-coated creeper, 'Whispers' sees him teaming up with Ickle for an icy swagger while 'Trust' closes the EP on a gentle, woozy tip. Timeless.

Review: Sir Hiss is a Bristol-based bass head who has had a fine recent outing on Idle Hands' City Road label 32A but now steps out with a three-track solo effort on Innamind. 'Uderzo' is some seriously weighty post-dubstep tackle with grinding and tough synth sequences over lurching drums with crisp hits up top. 'Sleep Paralysis' is a tripe mix of what feels like sound effects from a video game over icy beats with distant chord vamps adding some flesh to the bones. Last of all is 'Till The End' which features slow and precise drum loops under a hypnotic vocal wail.

Review: On Tell Me, Skeptical capitalises on the freedom afforded by his own Rubi label by dialling back his established d&b sound and presenting a half-time trip into downtempo territory. That shouldn't be mistaken as a softening of his production chops, because there's still massive amounts of weight as he warps snarling bass around stark drums on 'Tapestry'. 'Atomic' goes further into a minimal, dubbed out sound with carefully executed low end growl which carries the torch from DMZ's earliest soundsystem meditations.

Review: Few labels have been as important to the development of deep dubstep over the last decade than the Deep Medi Musik crew. Here comes another of their fine transmissions, ready and waiting to rattle your ribs and test your bowels. Somah is at the buttons for the four cuts and kicks off with 'Irked' which has inky bass and haunting late night leads over a heavy but deft bottom end. 'Mirrors' pairs more eerie empty space with echoing hits and distant sirens and 'Cold Chain' has a warmer, even slightly soulful sound thanks to the pad work. 'Unmarked' closes with a clatter of percussive menace.

Review: Nadia Struiwigh's Pax Aurora was a standout ambient techno LP in 2022, and now Nous Klaer Audio have returned to the project to commission a grip of remixes which respond to the source material in distinctive ways. DJ Nobu takes a delicate, mesmerising approach to 'Nana', while Jakojako plumbs the depths of immersive, feathery techno. With Om Unit and Julia Gjertsen representing with equally hypnotic, elegant versions on the flip as well, this is the perfect example of a remix EP which truly adds weight to the original release.

Review: Powerful hypnosis sessions from south UK artist Tom Woods AKA Sub Basics: Foundation Audio return after a short break with two stunning adventures. Both heavily groove-based, 'Tribal Flex' and 'YY' roll with percussive momentum, sitting somewhere between contemporary 140, timeless dub and universal dancefloor dynamics. The former is all about that bouncy kick and its sweltering tropical sound elements while 'YY' is on more of a mystical tip. Both flex hard, there's nothing basic about this operation whatsoever.

Review: Hailing from Hastings, England, Sustrapperazzi joins the Ilian Beat Series with a dope fonka of a 12".

Review: Sustrapperazzi is from the coastal town of Hastings and we last heard from him when he served up some nice hip-hop joints for the Ilian Beat Series with a nice 12" back in November 2021. He now dips into the world of deep dubstep, trap and grime with a new EP that comes in super limited numbers on Astral Black. 'Gospel Trappin' is exactly what it says in the title, which is a fine feat to pull off. There are also more traditional trap sounds with screwy bass and pitched-up vocals, booming 808s on the sample-heavy 'What's Wrong', and another treat cut full of yearning churchy chorals on 'Rationale.' Fresh for sure.

Review: Grime legends Trends, Boylan and Slimzee have made independent names for themselves over the years for their enduring contributions to the underground; the former two artists first cropped up on our radar after a string of horror-movie-themed grime bits which first proliferated virally on the internet. Slimzee, on the other hand, has been there from the beginning, co-founding the legendary Rinse FM pirate station among other things. We can't contain our excitement for this fresh, psychotic release for Etch's Sneaker Social Club; returning to the trio's penchant for oppressively trappy instrumentals, there are newer explorations in breakstep and garage, fleshing out the many teeth-gritted possibilities of the eight-bar rhythm. Haunting, atrophied sonic skeletons from a dream trio.

Review: The bad news? We're all absolutely doomed. There's no way back from where humanity has taken us. We seem drawn like moths to a dystopic light. The good news? If this is anything to go by (or the inaugural one back in 2018) then hell has a ruddy sick soundtrack. Deep, beguiling, disarming; vibes on this black mirror menu range from the pure drama and stern soliloquy of Rider Shafique over 'Iceman' with Karnage and the tribal hypnosis of Sofa's 'Lost' (which is a really interesting departure from the jungle she is best known for) and plenty of dubby reflection rippling throughout. See you on the dark side.