Operating on the outer rim of the drum & bass scene for over a decade, Blocks & Escher have been designing intelligent and forward-thinking electronic dance across a multitude of releases for labels such as Metalheadz, Digital Soundboy and their own Narratives Music. Their first release of 2022, ‘Shot In The Dark’ EP, pulls together four outstanding cuts of shadowy breaks and abstract electronica. Otherwise known as Phillip Smith and Will Hansen, Blocks & Escher distilled their sound into the critically acclaimed 2018 album ‘Something Blue’. Released on Goldie’s Metalheadz imprint, the long player displayed a confident maturity of sound, and a more than capable accomplishment of pulling the visionary sounds of drum & bass into a new era. The industrial breaks and hoover bass of ‘Shot In The Dark’ anchor a wave of cinematic synth sweeps, fashioning an arresting opening track on this accomplished EP. The ingenious beats continue to unfurl across ‘Abyss’ and ‘This One’, as brooding atmospherics wash over in waves. The finale of ‘Dance Girl’ ramps up the BPMs and beat complexity, as a breathless assault of rhythm and sound captivates and rewards in abundance. More

TRACKLISTING:
A1. Adred & Commix - Interface 01
B1. Adred & Dave Owen - 2 Times
B2. Adred & Cory James - Radon Test
C1. Adred - Amenity
D1. Adred & Commix - Recall
D2. Adred & Jamal - Autofacs
OVERVIEW: Adam 'Adred' Baker is an imperative part of the US drum & bass scene, providing a home for its fans amongst the cultural hub of New York City. Alongside his work as a promoter for 'Natural Selection NYC', he's also dropped music on labels such as Metalheadz, Soul:R and 31 Recordings, proving that he's as multi-faceted as they come. This is something which shines through on his forthcoming LP 'KIM' set to be released on Goldie's Metalheadz; named after his late father whose Fender Rhodes features prominently in much of Adred's music and is a central part of his inspiration. The album is an introspective look at the producer's history and one which will identify the elements which have made him both such a successful artist and drum & bass event host.

Including sixteen brand new selections, there's a host of taste catered to throughout 'KIM', as well as a homage to the old school sounds which have made his music so identifiable. Featuring names such as Danny Rhodes, DRS, Robert Manos, Cory James, Jamal, Commix, Dave Owen and Strategy, Adred proves his influence by welcoming a host of talent into the fold which highlights why the album has been given a pedestal by an imprint like Metalheadz, one of the most pivotal names within the genre and further afield - still leading the charge since its inception in the 90s.
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OVERVIEW: 'High Fives & Devil Eyes' is the brand-new LP forthcoming from SCAR, a duo who've spent years dominating the waters of dance music with their formulae of underground, yet accessible drum & bass. Individually and as part of their SCAR project, both Script and Survival have been involved in shaping the genre for decades, helping to sculpt its formative years alongside a range of imprints that have ensured it longevity. For their forthcoming album they've once again been welcomed into the fold of Metalheadz, where SCAR have now been exclusively signed after appearing in their catalogue as one of its main staples. Since their first piece of music together, 'When', debuted on Metalheadz via the label's esteemed 'Platinum Breakz' series, through to their first SCAR artist LP 'The Orkyd Project' in 2016, the pair's journey has followed the label's growth and they've continued to be supported by its founder Goldie. On first listen to 'High Fives & Devil Eyes' it's instantly clear why they were made such an essential part of such a revered platform, bringing together the historic elements as well as the modern production levels which have enabled them to remain trend setters over the years.
From the sounds of 'Circle of Trust', right through to the finely-tuned vocals of Eleanor Higgins on 'Eternal', the tastes catered to throughout 'High Fives & Devil Eyes' demonstrates why SCAR have been welcomed into the roster of Metalheadz and it's not just down to their heritage with the imprint. Tracks like 'State of Delusion', 'Stolen Memories', 'Can't Do Anything With It' and 'Nothing Lasts Forever' show how SCAR still bridge the gap between contemporary standards and an understanding of their roots, as well as how this has influenced their current direction. Coming up next, 'Funk Control' injects much needed soul into the drum & bass sphere whilst tracks like 'First Sound', 'The Seeker', 'Thinking out Loud' and 'Pauline' continue the journey of breaks and immersive soundscapes. The album's title-record 'High Fives and Devil Eyes' encompasses the album's rawness whilst cuts like 'Deep South' and 'Torn Apart' pedestals the diversity demonstrated throughout. Even the LP's interlude 'Nomad' travels the listener through an elaborate composition, and you're left understanding that 'High Fives & Devil Eyes' is a listening album too, despite how well it'll translate within any club setting.
'High Fives & Devil Eyes' doesn't just signpost another huge step forward for SCAR musically, but also for Metalheadz. They've added two more members to their pivotal roster and it's another album to highlight the label's consistency, something which has pushed forward from their beginnings in 1994.
TRACKLISTING:
A1. Nothing Lasts Forever
A2. State of Delusion
B1. Funk Control
B2. The Seeker
C1. High Fives and Devil Eyes
C2. Stolen Memories
D1. First Sound
D2. Torn Apart

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Mikal is a producer who has made a name for himself by making stand out drum & bass tracks that have caught the attention of DJs and listeners alike, he has released on a multitude of labels but it is Metalheadz that are releasing his debut album. The album is called 'Wilderness' and it was very much worth the wait. A no nonsense statement of intent from the Bristol based produced who has been quietly working away in his studio and is now ready to show the world his work, collaborations on the album come from Chimpo, Xtrah, Break, RIOT and Sophie Barker. The sound of the album is streamlined with a focus on low end sonic frequencies. It takes the fundamentals of jungle but none of the clichés; the execution is firmly rooted in 2016. We'll leave Goldie to have the last say on Wilderness: "Mikal is the silent assassin of the Headz camp and when i signed him i knew the potential he had in him- this album is the full realisation of that potential. He's worked very hard at perfecting his craft and i'm very happy to hear it. His inversion of DnB culture has always excited me, the dub element is something that resonates with me as a missing part to the puzzle in the Headz camp"
Tracklist (Vinyl): a) Musical Rush (feat. Break) b1) Wilderness b2) No One Else c) Make Me Feel d1) Vertigo d2) The Ruff Life
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Mikal is a producer who has made a name for himself by making stand out drum & bass tracks that have caught the attention of DJs and listeners alike, he has released on a multitude of labels but it is Metalheadz that are releasing his debut album. The album is called 'Wilderness' and it was very much worth the wait. A no nonsense statement of intent from the Bristol based produced who has been quietly working away in his studio and is now ready to show the world his work, collaborations on the album come from Chimpo, Xtrah, Break, RIOT and Sophie Barker. The sound of the album is streamlined with a focus on low end sonic frequencies. It takes the fundamentals of jungle but none of the clichés; the execution is firmly rooted in 2016. We'll leave Goldie to have the last say on Wilderness: "Mikal is the silent assassin of the Headz camp and when i signed him i knew the potential he had in him- this album is the full realisation of that potential. He's worked very hard at perfecting his craft and i'm very happy to hear it. His inversion of DnB culture has always excited me, the dub element is something that resonates with me as a missing part to the puzzle in the Headz camp"
Trackist (CD): 1. "Patterns (feat. Sophie Barker)", 2. "At The Controls (feat. Xtrah)", 3. "The Ruff Life", 4. "Segunda (feat. RIOT)", 5. "Wilderness", 6. "Help Me", 7. "Fear The Unknown", 8. "Musical Rush (feat. Break)", 9. "13th Floor",
10. "Vertigo", 11. "Brain Matter (feat. Chimpo)", 12. "JB's Groove", 13. "If We Become", 14. "No One Else", 15. "Make Me Feel", 16. "Outro".

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