‘Threads’ was my 1st album as Om Unit and this 10-year re-mastered anniversary edition comes around at what feels like a similar time for me of experimentation and finding new ways to connect sounds. Something of a full circle of sorts but then again I am marking time with this re-issue at a time where I can look back and feel very proud of the work still sounding so convincing. Now even better thanks to Subvert Central’s Robert Macchiochi!

Reflecting on the past 10 years since this record came out, I can say it’s been an incredibly fruitful journey, with the most striking element of it all being the opportunity to travel and meet so many people from so many different backgrounds with different world views and stories. I found that ‘Threads’ for many was their first insight into my music, and for some people was something of a milestone in their journey of exploring music itself with tracks like ‘The silence’ and ‘Governor’s Bay’ having been mentioned over the years as amongst favourites alongside some of the work released on Cosmic Bridge and Civil

I want to take a moment to give my Love and gratitude to all the featured vocalists. Thanks to Simon Jinadu for his angelic voice on ‘The Silence’, to Charlie Dark MBE for his reflective words on ‘The Road’ and to Alex ‘Bogues’ Rendall aka MC Jabu (of Jabu) for his intense delivery on ‘Patients’ as well as Jneiro Jarel for his self-reflective narration on “just sayin’” All 4 are still outliers in their own field and upstanding creative forces to boot. I feel blessed to have been able to capture them on this project.

Threads was made in a bedroom of 2a Station Rise in Tulse Hill, a flat I shared with journalist and writer Laurent Fintoni, in a space that had such a great sound to it that I’ll always miss that room. I hope that you feel the warmth that I felt then whilst making it. It’s been an adventure since and whilst I’ve moved on from a lot of the tropes intrinsic to the album, it will always remain a body of work that is dear to my heart.


Enjoy!
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It’s always a joy to release music from friends, and ZamZam 91 is our first collab with a dear one, Jim Coles AKA Om Unit. It’s impossible to frame the breadth and depth of such a storied career in bass music in just a couple lines- so suffice to say that releases over decades on a who’s-who of seminal labels including Exit, Fabric, Planet Mu and of course his own Cosmic Bridge have cemented his rep as an absolute force in production and DJing across any number of genres and sub genres.

Coles’ roots in Bristol and deep love of dub and reggae - made beautifully explicit on his recent Acid Dub Studies LPs - come through strong on both sides. “The Canopy (Armageddon Style)” opens with ravey, arpeggiated synths worthy of Vangelis, punctuated by a brooding piano chord, building steadily into a dark and utterly apocalyptic steppers guaranteed to storm & batter down Babylon walls inside and out.

“Mystic 808” is a deep meditation, a slow stepper that ices down the furious energy of the A side and drops the tempo to suit. Recalling the heady days of original late 90s/early 2000s UK Dub - as well as early dub techno - stabs and melody caress, restrained percussion swims and multiplies in reverb and echo, orbits locked to the gravitational force of the massive and truly timeless bassline. Proper sound system material that will satisfy the heart and soul long after the dance is done. More

Four tracks of forward-thinking club music featuring his signature sound, taking in elements of Acid, Broken Beats, UK Techno and Dubbed out atmospheres. Melodies, hooks and basslines are plentiful on this one and the sights are set firmly on the dancefloor with most tracks landing around the 130-140bpm region.

'Atlantis' is yet another step forward in the evolution of a well-decorated but never stagnant artist who is ever-keen on exploring new possibilities. More

Over the years Jim Coles has turned his hand to a fair few different styles and made them his own. These days, most know his Om Unit alias as a significant force in fresh developments within D&B (recently found larking about with Alix Perez, Binga and more in the Richie Brains project on Exit Records), but it's not always been that way. From initial moves in the dubstep world via Terrorhythm through to shimmering, playful electro-leaning business on Civil Music, he's graced plenty of high profile labels with his many-sided musical dice and come up trumps. A personal favourite moment for us came in the shape of the All City 7" Lavender / Lightgrids in 2010, which matched Jim's knack for rich and detailed production to a slower, more contemplative groove. This new release for Idle Hands comes from that era, a trio of secret weapons sat waiting for the opportune moment to step out into the world. With the warmer months upon us, it feels like the perfect time to let a track like "Friend Of The Day" roll out in a heavy-lidded haze of sun-kissed, ivory-tinkled finery. This being Om Unit, of course there are different shades on offer here as well. "Basement Superman" plumbs aqueous depths with its appropriation of dub techno tropes in a slow-stepping, meditative framework. "What It Is" too revels in introspection, a laconic bassline loping jauntily against the feathery beat in a succinct encapsulation of Bristolian laissez-faire. Jim's current exploits are reaching ever more interesting pastures, and there's an increasing recognition of his past achievements too (check the Kutmah-curated Lost Stories collection of unreleased 2tall bits from his archives), so it's a pleasure to add to the movement and support some truly special gems from a long time friend of the shop. More

For over a decade, Mako has been a distinctive presence, both as an individual and through his music, a talent we've proudly showcased at Metalheadz.

This September, we are honoured to release his third album on the label, and his second solo endeavour, which serves as a seamless continuation of his earlier work. His 2020 album, 'Oeuvre', represented years of dedication and refined production, solidifying Mako's esteemed place within the Metalheadz family.

Now, four years later, we're thrilled to present 'Oeuvre – Part 2'. This 12-track album is a celebration of Mako's deep passion for music, while also reflecting his sometimes disillusioned views on a modern era that often seems to pass us by. In a world where individuality can struggle to shine amidst an overwhelming flood of content, Mako's superior production stands out as a beacon, demanding not just recognition, but active listening.

Mako's commitment to his musical community is evident throughout the album, with contributions from long-time collaborators Fields, Hydro, Villem, and Mikal, each bringing their unique expertise to the project. The album also features a special collaboration with the late Marcus Intalex, a friendship that blossomed in the years before Marcus' untimely passing and one that continues to bear fruit.

Diving into the heart of the album reveals Mako's charm as a producer: from the captivating vocals in 'Feed You', the sleek homage to techstep in "Suspension', to the pure dancefloor energy of 'Direct Source', a track long favoured by Goldie. As expected, Mako also delivers deeper, more contemplative pieces like the album's opener 'True Expression' and the graceful melodies of 'Overshare'.
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For over a decade, Mako has been a distinctive presence, both as an individual and through his music, a talent we've proudly showcased at Metalheadz.

This September, we are honoured to release his third album on the label, and his second solo endeavour, which serves as a seamless continuation of his earlier work. His 2020 album, 'Oeuvre', represented years of dedication and refined production, solidifying Mako's esteemed place within the Metalheadz family.

Now, four years later, we're thrilled to present 'Oeuvre – Part 2'. This 12-track album is a celebration of Mako's deep passion for music, while also reflecting his sometimes disillusioned views on a modern era that often seems to pass us by. In a world where individuality can struggle to shine amidst an overwhelming flood of content, Mako's superior production stands out as a beacon, demanding not just recognition, but active listening.

Mako's commitment to his musical community is evident throughout the album, with contributions from long-time collaborators Fields, Hydro, Villem, and Mikal, each bringing their unique expertise to the project. The album also features a special collaboration with the late Marcus Intalex, a friendship that blossomed in the years before Marcus' untimely passing and one that continues to bear fruit.

Diving into the heart of the album reveals Mako's charm as a producer: from the captivating vocals in 'Feed You', the sleek homage to techstep in "Suspension', to the pure dancefloor energy of 'Direct Source', a track long favoured by Goldie. As expected, Mako also delivers deeper, more contemplative pieces like the album's opener 'True Expression' and the graceful melodies of 'Overshare'.
More

It's a pleasure to welcome the legendary DJ Trace to the label for the first time alongside Metalheadz family HLZ. The 'Raptor EP' comes on a 3 track clear 12" vinyl with a further digital bonus track and artwork from the one and only Jon Black.

The EP comes straight from the peak days of techstep with lengthy, intense build ups leading into fierce beats and moody backdrops, a combination that both DJ Trace and HLZ share a love of. More

TRACKLIST:
A1. Need U
A2. Breakin' Bad
B1. Can't Get Enough of Your Love
B2. Saviour

LP FORMAT DETAILS: Standard weight purple coloured vinyl.

PRIVATE LISTEN LINK: https://tinyurl.com/3fmwc74k

OVERVIEW:
What started as an experiment, born in the stillness of the early months of 2020, Metalheadz and SB81 are proud to present 'B292'.

The largest body of music ever released by Metalheadz, 'B292' is made up of 29 tracks across 2 defined parts with a strong emphasis on old skool influences. It's SB81's experiences as a youth that give him a real understanding of this era, something that cannot be replicated and where authenticity always stands tall.

Beginning as a small batch of tracks it wasn't long before Goldie encouraged SB81 to explore the idea of an album, and via several trips around Low Hill in Wolverhampton (where SB81 lived until the age of 30), it was here where the nostalgia and drive took hold for good.

SB81 calls this project a 'pre-1994 Metalheadz sound', and although no 29-track album deserves such a brief description it does seem so fitting - even more so with a huge amount of respect and admiration for labels such as Reinforced, Production House and Moving Shadow embodied throughout.

Make no mistake, this is in no way purely an album that tries to recreate the old. The music at its core remains as cutting edge as ever with a fresh on the ears feel and a rave-ready approach.

SB81's 'B292' releases in full on 31st May 2024, including a 4x coloured vinyl package, bespoke full colour sleeve designed by the incredibly talent EPOD and a bonus box set available exclusively via the Metalheadz website and Bandcamp.

More

TRACKLIST:
1. I Can't Explain
2. Bad Trip (Living Nightmare Mix)
3. Air 180
4. Quest Kru

FORMAT DETAILS: Standard weight blue coloured vinyl.

PRIVATE LISTEN LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2hbf629p

OVERVIEW:
What started as an experiment, born in the stillness of the early months of 2020, Metalheadz and SB81 are proud to present 'B292'.

The largest body of music ever released by Metalheadz, 'B292' is made up of 29 tracks across 2 defined parts with a strong emphasis on old skool influences. It's SB81's experiences as a youth that give him a real understanding of this era, something that cannot be replicated and where authenticity always stands tall.

Beginning as a small batch of tracks it wasn't long before Goldie encouraged SB81 to explore the idea of an album, and via several trips around Low Hill in Wolverhampton (where SB81 lived until the age of 30), it was here where the nostalgia and drive took hold for good.

SB81 calls this project a 'pre-1994 Metalheadz sound', and although no 29-track album deserves such a brief description it does seem so fitting - even more so with a huge amount of respect and admiration for labels such as Reinforced, Production House and Moving Shadow embodied throughout.

Make no mistake, this is in no way purely an album that tries to recreate the old. The music at its core remains as cutting edge as ever with a fresh on the ears feel and a rave-ready approach.

SB81's 'B292' releases in full on 31st May 2024, including a 4x coloured vinyl package, bespoke full colour sleeve designed by the incredibly talent EPOD and a bonus box set available exclusively via the Metalheadz website and Bandcamp.
More

TRACKLIST:
1. The Force
2. Layerz
3. Down To The Molecule
4. The Wild West

FORMAT DETAILS: Standard weight red coloured vinyl.

PRIVATE LISTEN LINK: https://tinyurl.com/v9cu2c67

OVERVIEW:
What started as an experiment, born in the stillness of the early months of 2020, Metalheadz and SB81 are proud to present 'B292'.

The largest body of music ever released by Metalheadz, 'B292' is made up of 29 tracks across 2 defined parts with a strong emphasis on old skool influences. It's SB81's experiences as a youth that give him a real understanding of this era, something that cannot be replicated and where authenticity always stands tall.

Beginning as a small batch of tracks it wasn't long before Goldie encouraged SB81 to explore the idea of an album, and via several trips around Low Hill in Wolverhampton (where SB81 lived until the age of 30), it was here where the nostalgia and drive took hold for good.

SB81 calls this project a 'pre-1994 Metalheadz sound', and although no 29-track album deserves such a brief description it does seem so fitting - even more so with a huge amount of respect and admiration for labels such as Reinforced, Production House and Moving Shadow embodied throughout.

Make no mistake, this is in no way purely an album that tries to recreate the old. The music at its core remains as cutting edge as ever with a fresh on the ears feel and a rave-ready approach.

SB81's 'B292' releases in full on 31st May 2024, including a 4x coloured vinyl package, bespoke full colour sleeve designed by the incredibly talent EPOD and a bonus box set available exclusively via the Metalheadz website and Bandcamp.

More

TRACKLIST:
1. Music For The Mind
2. Patterns of Thought (Physical Objects Mix)
3. Shadows
4. A Beautiful Nightmare

FORMAT DETAILS: Standard weight orange coloured vinyl.

PRIVATE LISTEN LINK: https://tinyurl.com/2zt2dn38

OVERVIEW:
What started as an experiment, born in the stillness of the early months of 2020, Metalheadz and SB81 are proud to present 'B292'.

The largest body of music ever released by Metalheadz, 'B292' is made up of 29 tracks across 2 defined parts with a strong emphasis on old skool influences. It's SB81's experiences as a youth that give him a real understanding of this era, something that cannot be replicated and where authenticity always stands tall.

Beginning as a small batch of tracks it wasn't long before Goldie encouraged SB81 to explore the idea of an album, and via several trips around Low Hill in Wolverhampton (where SB81 lived until the age of 30), it was here where the nostalgia and drive took hold for good.

SB81 calls this project a 'pre-1994 Metalheadz sound', and although no 29-track album deserves such a brief description it does seem so fitting - even more so with a huge amount of respect and admiration for labels such as Reinforced, Production House and Moving Shadow embodied throughout.

Make no mistake, this is in no way purely an album that tries to recreate the old. The music at its core remains as cutting edge as ever with a fresh on the ears feel and a rave-ready approach.

SB81's 'B292' releases in full on 31st May 2024, including a 4x coloured vinyl package, bespoke full colour sleeve designed by the incredibly talent EPOD and a bonus box set available exclusively via the Metalheadz website and Bandcamp.
More

Gremlinz & Jesta present their long-awaited debut album on Metalheadz.

Although the music itself spans only the last few years, it would be sufficient to say that this album is the culmination of almost 2 decades of work. So much history in one project, this is without doubt Gremlinz & Jesta's biggest and finest triumph.

First meeting as teenagers in the multicultural streets of Toronto, the duo were both already well exposed to the world of raving and jungle music in particular. It wasn't until years later however, following Jesta's slight hiatus, that they would hook back up and form what would eventually become an alias at the very heart of Metalheadz.

Their first appearance on the label as Gremlinz & Jesta wouldn't come until 2018 but it wasn't long before talk of an album gathered pace. Prior to then they had been meeting at a staple Chinese restaurant, Lee Garden, in downtown Toronto where they would discuss not only music and writing

ideas but also life. The spot became a permanent fixture in their calendar and following its closure in 2017, the pair affectionately became known as 'The Lee Garden Historical Preservation Society' as a way to keep those special days alive. It's from that fondly remembered and much missed period in their lives that the album justly takes its name.

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Proudly presenting Nookie's debut album for Metalheadz - 'Improvisions'.

A collection of work which Nookie himself calls "the best tracks I've ever written", 'Improvisions' embraces the fact that we don't live in a perfect world. Throughout the project, aided in many parts by Ruth Royall, Nookie expresses his deep-rooted love for the music he's devoted so much of his life to, backed further by a total creative freedom.

As with much of Nookie's music, vocals are a crucial component. Ruth Royall's soul-stirring presence can be heard on six of the album's 13 tracks, including standouts like 'Missing You', 'Part Of Me' and the previously released 'Hero'. Given the vigour and liveliness that both artists exhibit, it is difficult to imagine that they first connected online. Ruth calls working with Nookie "a pleasure right from the start", adding that "the musicality shone through instantly and just sparked endless ideas".

As we head deeper into the album Nookie provides some signature dancefloor fillers in the way of 'Future Forever' and 'Over & Over', as well as lower tempo beats such as '92 Interlude' and 'Smoke Screen'. The assemblage of tracks come together impressively, further cementing Nookie's reputation as one of the most important artists of his kind.

'Improvisions' is released in full on 13th October preceded by a 2-track sampler on 29th September, both pressed onto 12" white vinyl.
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Since releasing on Reinforced at the age of 16, Dominic Stanton has always remained one of most influential producers in the west London broken beat scene. Those early adventures via numerous successful aliases laid the foundations for Dom's sound, eventually leading to the launch of 'Sonar's Ghost' in 2013.

Welcoming Sonar's Ghost to Metalheadz is now long overdue, so it's a pleasure to be showcasing 'The Fall and Rise Of...' as part of the Metalheadz Platinum series this July. Consisting of 5 collabs, 4 of them making the vinyl cut, the release draws inspiration from the rich heritage of jungle and breakbeat, effortlessly weaveing together intricate rhythms and immersive textures. Outrage & Scale feature on 2 tracks each, whilst Acid_Lab also gets in on the virtual collaboration bringing together a complimentary selection of styles.
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Born from a London-Auckland connection and friendship that's lasted more than 25 years, we are delighted to welcome the long-awaited debut album from Sci-Clone.

Consisting of 2 members - Jason Cambridge (aka A-Sides), who is very much the drum and bass guy, and Nathan Haines, who has a long history of being involved in jazz music, the pair have concocted the perfect fusion album.

Their past Metalheadz releases, 3 of them in total, all came out between 1997-99 and stood out in the growing back catalogue for their ability to merge 2 authentic styles. Jason provided the beats and bass and Nathan provided the melodic and harmonic content, an approach they've thoroughly refined for the release of their full length album in 2023.

Titled 'Radio Therapy', the album comes in 2 parts consisting of 17 tracks in total. The first part is completely original and came together over the last decade via multiple extended trips to New Zealand and long studio hours. Made up of Jason's production knowledge and skill as well as Nathan's ingenuity and flair, the duo possess distinctive skill sets whilst admirably sharing all responsibilities equally. It's a unique method of working bringing out the best in both of them, creating some exquisitely classy music in the process.

The second part is a celebration of the aforementioned 90s releases, now precisely remastered to assemble a memorable package.

Jason and Nathan were always set on releasing this album through Metalheadz and we couldn't be happier to see it materialise as strongly as it has. This is their drum and bass rendition.
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After previously releasing 2 EPs on Metalheadz Platinum, Fanu's first foray onto the Metalheadz main label is finally here.

Once again the Finnish stalwart masterfully combines experimental breaks and punishing bass with impressive precision, with large doses of his characteristically crunchy sound throughout. This is a 5 track release packed with imagination and one that will no doubt demand several listens. Infader also returns after previously appearing on the 'Legacy EP', a fellow Finn who like Fanu has been pushing the sound for the last 2 decades and more.
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J:Kenzo is an artist we have long admired here at Metalheadz and it was only a matter of time before we brought him into the fold for a full EP.

Titled 'ZegaFunk', J:Kenzo's 4 track offering was instigated by the 2020 lockdown and fiercely spurred on by Goldie over the course of the year. There is a real classic feel to the EP, so acutely influenced by the sound of 1997 with dystopian pads and groove-laden basslines readily bursting from each track. Innovative dub influences and engaging patterns keep the listener captivated throughout a slick EP with both substantial weight and flavour.

We're also honoured to have another incredibly accomplished artist join the camp in .EPOD who delivers his trademark skillset on an exquisitely reimagined version of the Metalheadz logo.
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A trio of drum & bass kings return to the label for a vintage-esque Metalheadz release ushered in by the space-age sounds of 'Irrelevant' by Loxy & Ink.

'Token' takes a darker, more sinister turn as Resound gets in on the act.
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TRACKLISTING:
A. Da Base II Dark [Remastered]
B. Da Base II Dark (Stealth Remix)

The sound of one of the most recognisable Metalheadz anthems makes up the 2nd part of our 25 Years series.
Asylum aka L Double's 'Da Base II Dark' was originally released in 1995 and retains its status as a certified classic, still appearing in sets almost 3 decades later. Remastered for this mammoth project the single is accompanied by a Stealth remix on the B side, a remix that grew into Stealth's own personal homage to the Metalheadz sound. The outcome is a ravenous twist constructed entirely with the late night dancefloor in mind.
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TRACKLISTING:
A. Wanna Dance
AA. On Top

Mark System's first solo release on Metalheadz comes in the form of two exceptional pieces of drum and bass for the 4th instalment of the 25 Years series.

Based in Ibiza, Mark's only past contribution to the label is a singular remix but it's always seemed inevitable he would one day have his own Metalheadz release. He has been described as somebody who has "impeccably honed his sound", a sound that is distinctively mature, naturally unique and highly emotive, all of which are as recognisable as ever across these two tracks.
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TRACKLISTING:
A. Drum Trip (Detboi's Trip Remix)
B1. Drum Trip (Wheeler Rebuild)
B2. Drum Trip (Madcap Remix)

The third part of the 25 Years of Metalheadz series sees us revisit the industrious sounds of 'Drum Trip' by Kaotic Chemistry aka 2 Bad Mice. Originally released on Moving Shadow an astonishing 29 years ago 'Drum Trip' has remained a DJ's favourite to this day, a testament to the foundation work laid down by the pioneering trio.

The revival was prompted by a heavy-hitting remix by Metalheadz's own Detboi and was followed with an elegant, rolled-out interpretation from Madcap. The frustration caused by the loss of the original 'Drum Trip' recording was quickly forgotten as Wheeler went in and ultimately produced an outstanding full-scale rebuild. A second 'Low Ends & Amens' version by Detboi retains the original tempo and features as a digital bonus alongside a previously unreleased Kaotic Chemistry track in 'Jupiter' which was brought back to life with the astute skills of Steve Kielty (SCAR).

It's an unquestionable truth that we're delighted to present this classic era of electronic music restored and rejuvenated as part of the 25 Years of Metalheadz project.
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