AutomAte - Present & Future

Hallucinogen / Time Is Running Out

D.R.O.P.S - Time Is Running Out - AM8E026 - Out 7/6/22

D.R.O.P.S - Hallucinogen - AM8E026 - Out 7/6/22

Philth is addicted to music; it is his breath and his lifeblood, a more driven man you will not find. His heady mix of distorted filth & saturated breakbeats is the fuel behind a meteoric rise, turning the heads of the scene’s top DJs and talent spotters.  Paired here with regular cohorts, AutomAte’s resident zombie wordsmith Agman Gora and long-time partner Wreckless, this trio of nuclear cuts is aimed directly at the techy dancefloors.

Submarine has already left a trail of destruction in its wake, running deep beneath the surface of a monstrous throbbing body of bass. This steppin’ VIP of the stripped-back, essential roller is set to become a firm favourite of the AutomAte catalogue all over again.

The Hammer brings us back to dry land and delivers an altogether more highly-strung vibe as Philth & Wreckless take their signature sound up to 11 with pounding bass, relentless running breaks and crashing metallics.

Finally, another second hotly awaited remix, Cordyceps VIP, rounds off the release - driving Agman’s commanding vocal chant deeper into your brain, embedded on wave after wave of bassline pressure and rapid percussion.

Submarine VIP, The Hammer, Cordyceps VIP

Philth & Agman Gora - Cordyceps VIP - AM8E027 - Out Now

Philth and Wreckless - The Hammer - AM8E027 - Out Now

Philth - Submarine VIP - AM8E027 - Out Now

This release aims to make a statement and that’s certainly what it achieves.  Having spent most of 2017 collecting their resources and poring over an array of music, AutomAte chose their next new artist with the utmost precision.  Newcomer Oxius is one of the most exciting producers to break through to AutomAte and on first listen it’s obvious why.  Each cut delivered on this double-sided single gives a glimpse into the style he’s spent years creating in the shadows, taking the time to perfect his craft whilst also drawing inspiration from live sets he witnessed over that period.  His energy can be seen clearly through each expertly produced groove.  Beginning with ‘Nexus 6’ and channelling through to ‘Atom Heart’, Oxius’ signature is marked throughout.  This is seldom attributed to upcoming producers however Oxius has made this stand from the outset. 

‘Nexus 6’ rolls in with an instantly recognisable vocal sample and bellows into submission with cracking kick drums which manifest a deep rumbling across speakers.  As it breaks, Oxius dives for the pressure point with fluctuating sonics and vast waves of metallic bass.  Segment by segment, bar by bar, you’re drawn into the ruthless imaginings of ‘Nexus 6’, proving that despite coming from relative obscurity, this man knows what he is doing.

‘Atom Heart’ follows a similar quick-stepping demeanour, this time gurgling into life with heavyweight bass pads and spookily ticking percussion.   Then suddenly, crushing LFO steps into play, before drawing you into a minimalistic riddim which chops and changes in its ambiance.   Oxius proves that not only can he create a track that is instantly powerful but also impactful through growing subtlety.   This is why such artists do so well within the current climate.  They continue to push forward, always opening new ground for themselves and proving their versatility.   With the backing of imprints such as AutomAte, this is something which will surely grow as his career progresses.

Nexus 6 / Atom Heart

Oxius - Nexus 6 - AM8E020 - Out Now

Involved with electronic music since the mid 90s, Cambridge duo None Decay have behind them a rich tapestry of studio and DJ experience in drum & bass, hip-hop and beyond.  They made their AutomAte debut on Depth of Vision EP Vol.2.  Rising quickly through the ranks, their first full-length artist EP on the imprint garnered attention from high-ranking drum & bass officials such as Goldie and Ulterior Motive and the second followed on its heels.

Taurine EP is a diverse quiver of old-school vibes, demonstrating their mastery of the craft over many years, perhaps these are the pieces they would have created early in their careers and now have the expertise to execute to their own very high standards.

Opening track Taurine sets the scene with a relaxed, classic breaks approach, warm sub and floating, spacious synths.  Next comes 12 Monkeys, a rolling head-nodder that takes us all back to before neuro was neuro.  Next up, Playing features a beautifully close, intimate vocal performance from Hazy Jane, backed with stripped-back beats and ominous vibe.  Finally, we fall over the edge into the clattering breaks and grumpy basses of Domestic.

Taurine EP

None Decay - Domestic - AM8E021 - Out Now

None Decay (ft Hazy Jane) - Playing - AM8E021 - Out Now

None Decay - 12 Monkeys - AM8E021 - Out Now

None Decay - Taurine - AM8E021 - Out Now

Cold Blood / Killer

Martyn Nytram - Killer - AM8E022 - Out Now

Martyn Nytram - Cold Blood - AM8E022 - Out Now

Depth of Vision began with a clear mission to break new talent, the type that has enabled this independent imprint to push through competition, carve their own niche and build a reputation for developing successful artists.  Vince Grain is among the many artists who have lent their expert sonics to the AutomAte back catalogue, having featured on the very first Depth of Vision EP and flourished since with several solo singles on the label. 

‘Walrus Dreams’ reintroduces us to the sounds of Vince Grain; dark, brooding and heavy yet minimal, dynamic and carefully laid out.  This is a record that cuts through with sniping mechanics, constructed from layers of percussion and drums, slicing into the mix with the utmost precision. If previously unaware of Vince Grain, this is the perfect introduction to his style and a monumental addition to his discography. 

Pulex is up next with ‘Dustwave’, the first of several new artists showcased in this chapter. His previous releases on the likes of Black Inferno Records brought him to the attention of the label and this cut demonstrates the eye that AutomAte have for emerging talent.

Evro follows in quick succession, delivering ‘Space Probe’, which follows the EP’s vibe whilst adding a diversity that doesn’t go unnoticed.  Finally, Dharma Kaya comes with ‘Open’; punching drums wrapped with a crunching bassline administer a bite reminiscent of the old-school whilst nodding to the contemporary world.

The fifth edition of the Depth of Vision series is a fitting tribute to a label going against the grain. Each artist highlighted on the EP pushes this image: unforgiving musical artillery with a no-nonsense approach.

Depth of Vision EP (Vol. 5)

Full Stream / Buy

Dharma Kaya - Open - AM8E023 - Out Now

Evro - Space Probe - AM8E023 - Out Now

Pulex - Dustwave - AM8E023 - Out Now

Vince Grain - Walrus Dreams - AM8E023 - Out Now

http://soundcloud.com/m-set has already carved a future for himself on this imprint with his previous collaboration with talented lyricist and long-time AutomAte affiliate http://soundcloud.com/agman-gora on ‘Fight for Your Lives’.  M-Set steps once more unto the breach with a double-sided single that reaffirms his place on the label roster. 

Both ‘Capital’ and ‘Come Nah’ are equally as incisive as his previous work, yet show a different side.  A man of few words, M-Set lets his production do the talking.  ‘Capital’ begins with an introduction that gradually pulls us into a weighty drop, then down through a bassline anchored with an almost impossibly low tone. Each pad and embellishment floats effortlessly into the next, while stabs and slices add a gritty element to the atmosphere. Rolling break layers carry you into the core and we gradually succumb to the lazy rhythm. ‘Capital’ is a cut that could easily place itself in the choppier waters of late-night sets, a primary reason why M-Set material is a sought after addition for any DJ or club space.

The reverse, ‘Come Nah’, is just as dynamic in its motions, featuring the trademark keys that help unlock a musicality and a jazzy undertone which counteracts its heavier elements. M-Set proves that his capability as an artist doesn’t just stretch to the punchier rolling tracks, he is able to conjure a wide spectrum of versatility. Whether it’s the laid back intensity of ‘Capital’ or the relentless breaks and sonic hooks of ‘Come Nah’, M-Set continues to push his boundaries and remains at the head of the game. With the support of AutomAte, this will persist with every release he drops onto his steadily growing fan base.

Capital / Come Nah

M-Set - Come Nah - AM8E024 - Out Now

M-Set - Capital - AM8E024 - Out Now

https://soundcloud.com/deficitlondon unleashes a chunky, surly slice of pent-up aggression.  Smoke & Mirrors fidgety, anxious build-up gives way to weighty core elements combined with skittish, shuffling metalwork and cerebral FX that fade in and out of focus as we carefully tread our path through this unfamiliar jungle.

Eternum Remix / Smoke & Mirrors

Deficit - Smoke & Mirrors - AM8E025 - Out Now

https://soundcloud.com/wrecklessdnb and label boss https://soundcloud.com/deficitlondon have a rich history of collaboration but this is the first time Wreckless has remixed one of his.  Predictably, he knocked it out of the ballpark, taking the half-time, spaced-out Sherlock Holmes inspired weirdness of Eternum, originally released on sister label AutomAte Deep, and moulding it into a chunky head-nodding stepper.

Deficit - Eternum (Wreckless Remix) - AM8E025 - Out Now

AutomAte is a collective formed of:
Deficit (London)
Esion (Bristol)
DX Machina (Bristol)
Nathan E (London)

We share a mutual love of dark, techy drum & bass, although we are involved with a range of other bass-led genres. We DJ and write music individually and together. We run the AutomAte family of digital labels, including AutomAte, AutomAte Deep and AutomAte Tech. AutomAte aims to bring you the best in edgy drum & bass, aimed square at the dancefloor, from rising stars to established artists, from chunky steppers to dark rollers and all manner of other fancy-ticklers. The parent label has already chalked up Radio 1 airplay from Friction, support from Drum & Bass Arena and has caught the attention of more DJs than you could shake a stick-insect at.

The Deep label aims to put the warmth back into drum & bass with a range of deep, eclectic, inspirational music, influenced by anything from the Far East to South America and everything in between. AutomAte Deep was launched in 2013 and has already picked up Radio 1 airplay from Nihal plus support from Raiden, EBK, Morphy, The Untouchables, Mental Forces, J Robinson, Ortokore, Philth, Stunna, Marukomu, Dexta & Mauoq (Diffrent Music).

The Tech label showcases a variety of gritty drum & bass music, from amen tracks and heavy-steppers to neuro and hardcore styles. We like it grimy with a slight attitude problem and an infectious groove. Supporters include DJ Hype, Bailey, Kenny Ken, Dose, Raiden, Nu:Tone, Cause4Concern, EBK, June Miller, Inside Info, Gremlinz, Stranjah, Chris Su, Zero-T, Nyx, Amoss, NC-17, Fade, The Risky (Drum & Bass Arena), Billion (Fathom Audio), Arclight, John Rolodex, Phil Hustle, Hyroglifics, Neve, Concrete, Bad Education, Cursa, AbleDanger, Soul Sinners and more.

Please send tracks & demos to demos@automatednb.co.uk
or drop them in the silo at http://pcl.la/1XJ39Z

Check out the podcast:
on the iTunes Store (Search for 'AutomAte dnb') or right here on Soundcloud!

We aim to release a podcast every couple of months, featuring a variety of established and up&coming artists that we find inspiring. The best way to keep up with the podcast is to subscribe, either on iTunes or via our RSS feed - http://automatednb.podOmatic.com/rss2.xml

For more information, email info@automatednb.co.uk

AutomAte - Present & Future

AutomAte DnB